8 Proven Ways to Boost Your Airbnb Listing Quality and Get More Bookings

If you’ve ever asked yourself, “How do I boost my Airbnb listing and stand out in search results?” — you’re not alone. With millions of listings competing for visibility on Airbnb, optimizing your listing quality isn’t just a nice-to-have — it’s essential.

In a recent edition of the Hostaway Webinar Series featuring Julia Herrington, Senior Program Operations Manager at Airbnb, Hostaway CEO Marcus Rader and VP of Product Maria Lopez dove into the real strategies and insights that top-performing hosts use to enhance their listing quality, rank higher in Airbnb’s search engine, and drive more bookings. From improving cleanliness scores to leveraging Hostaway’s smart tools, this guide breaks it all down for you.

Let’s get into the proven ways to elevate your Airbnb listing and attract more guests, whether you're a new host or a seasoned short-term rental pro.

Why Airbnb Listing Quality Matters More Than Ever

Behind every high-ranking Airbnb property is a listing that’s dialed in, with high-quality photos, competitive pricing and a guest experience that matches the description. Why? Because Airbnb’s algorithm doesn’t just reward what’s listed — it rewards how guests feel about it.

According to internal Airbnb data, listings with an average of 80% five-star reviews received 69% of total bookings on Airbnb globally last year. That means quality isn’t just a reputation booster — it’s a booking driver.

And the impact doesn’t stop there. Hosts who consistently meet guest expectations gain visibility, convert more booking requests and unlock new earning opportunities.

"It’s really a continuous loop of success," said Julia. "Higher quality leads to more bookings, which leads to better reviews and that helps your listing rise in Airbnb’s search results."

So what exactly contributes to a listing’s quality score?

Key Airbnb quality factors and how they impact your success

These aren’t just nice-to-haves — they’re ranking factors that Airbnb’s search algorithm uses to surface the best listings to potential guests.

Cleanliness: The #1 Reason Guests Leave Lower Ratings

According to Julia, “One of the most common reasons guests give fewer than five stars is a lack of cleanliness.” She says, “It’s often about the kitchen, bathroom or just an overall sense that something’s off.”

Let’s be real: nothing ruins a 5-star review faster than a dusty bathroom or a mystery stain on the bedspread.

Airbnb's internal data shows that cleanliness is the most common reason guests leave fewer than five stars. And the top areas Airbnb guests focus on? The kitchen, bathroom and bedroom — in that order.

Top 5 cleanliness complaints on Airbnb (and how to prevent them)

If you want to improve your Airbnb SEO and listing's visibility, start here. Build a reliable cleaning checklist, include quality photos that show off your spotless space and update your listing regularly to reflect seasonal changes. That subtle attention to detail shows guests (and Airbnb’s algorithm) that you care.

Accuracy: The Secret to Long-Term Success

Many listings falter not because they’re low-quality, but because they fail to deliver what’s advertised. That’s where accuracy plays a vital role. Airbnb’s search algorithm keeps tabs on host cancellations, guest complaints and mismatches between listing content and reality.

“Accuracy isn’t about perfection,” Julia said. “It’s about consistency. If your photos show one thing and the guest walks into another, you lose trust.”

That loss of trust doesn’t just affect the current guest — it can ripple into the review system, reducing your average rating and hurting future bookings. Listings with frequent mismatches also tend to get flagged by Airbnb’s customer support team, leading to possible listing suspensions or decreased visibility.

So how do you fix it? Julia recommends reviewing your listing every few months. Remove photos that no longer match the furniture or layout. If you’ve downgraded amenities or removed features (like a hot tub), update your listing title and description. The more your online presence reflects the current reality, the less risk you run of negative surprises.

Check-In Experience: Small Moments, Big Impact

First impressions don’t just happen in person — they happen digitally too. According to Julia, the check-in process can either build excitement or immediately raise red flags. A smooth, straightforward arrival sets the tone for a relaxed and confident guest.

“Check-in can make or break a five-star stay,” Julia explained. “If a guest struggles to find the lockbox or doesn’t receive the code on time, it starts their experience with anxiety.”

What’s surprising is how often these mishaps are avoidable. Hostaway users can automate welcome messages and check-in instructions across platforms. Leveraging this automation not only saves time but increases consistency — a key ranking factor in Airbnb's search algorithm.

Guests expect clear, mobile-friendly directions, including photos of entrances or landmarks. For remote or less intuitive properties, you might even record a brief walkthrough video or leave printed guides. These simple touches reduce confusion, boost confidence and lead to better reviews.

Value Perception: Pricing That Matches the Experience

Next up, value — a tricky but crucial component of your Airbnb listing strategy. Many hosts confuse value with price, but they’re not the same.

“Guests compare quality to the price. If there’s a mismatch, your value rating drops — and so does your visibility,” Julia explained.

If they paid a premium and had to hunt for coffee pods or deal with noisy neighbors, their perception of value will drop — and so will your review score and therefore your Airbnb listing's visibility.

According to Airbnb, guests reward listings that:

• Clearly reflect what’s in the photos and description

• Offer thoughtful extras (e.g. quality linens, stocked kitchen, toiletries)

• Communicate well and set accurate expectations

What guests expect when rating "Value"

On the flip side, poor communication, high prices with no explanation or a lack of basic amenities can lead to poor value ratings, even if everything else is clean.

Marcus Radar, CEO of Hostaway, shared: “Your listing doesn’t need to be fancy — but it must meet the expectations it sets. For example, if you promote a peaceful stay and it’s next to a noisy bar, guests will feel short-changed.”

How to nail value (without lowering your price):

• Use your listing description to justify premium rates (e.g., “high-thread-count sheets,” “walking distance to major attractions”)

• Be transparent about limitations (e.g., “there is some street noise, so we provide earplugs”)

• Maintain consistency between your photos and real-life experience

Setting realistic guest expectations is one of the most underrated Airbnb SEO strategies — and one of the most effective ways to get bookings.

Promotions: Smart Discounts To Drive More Bookings

Got a brand-new listing or experiencing a booking drought? Smart pricing strategies and promotions can help match guests to your listing — especially when you're trying to build momentum.

New listing promotion

As Julia put it, “Getting your first three bookings quickly is critical to long-term success. This promotion helps overcome the ‘no review’ hesitation many guests feel.”

If your listing is live but unrated, Airbnb’s New Listing Promotion offers a temporary discount to encourage those critical first three bookings. According to Airbnb’s data:

• 50% of listings that received their first booking in 2024 used this promo

• Hosts who used it saw a 20% faster time to first booking on average

Offer a non-refundable discount

As Marcus points out, “Offering a lower, non-refundable rate gives you the best of both worlds — you attract price-sensitive guests and protect yourself from cancellations.”

Guests love lower prices — and some are willing to commit to a lower rate in exchange for less flexibility. Airbnb’s non-refundable option lets guests choose between:

• A standard price with flexible cancellation or

• A discounted rate they can’t cancel or refund

Airbnb promotion options

Location: Set Expectations, Don’t Overpromise

Location is the only quality factor you can’t change — but it’s also one of the most misunderstood. Some hosts avoid mentioning street noise or tricky parking, hoping guests won’t mind. But Airbnb guests don’t like surprises and Julia was clear, transparency is your best asset.

“It’s better to tell guests up front than to apologize after the stay,” she said. “Being honest about what your property is — and isn’t — helps you match with the right guests.”

Maria Lopez, Vice President of Product at Hostaway echoed this sentiment, adding, “When guests feel their expectations were met or exceeded, they’re more likely to leave positive reviews — even if the property isn’t luxurious.”

Highlight proximity to attractions, walkability or local flavor in your listing description. If there are quirks — like thin walls, lively streets or limited parking — offer solutions: white noise machines, transit tips or nearby garages.

Being upfront attracts guests who are prepared for the experience and are more likely to leave positive reviews — a key part of your listing’s visibility.

Communication: Your Most Underrated Superpower

In the Airbnb world, communication is about more than answering questions — it’s about building trust. Guests want to feel heard, understood and supported throughout the booking process. High-performing hosts don’t just reply — they anticipate.

“Responding quickly and kindly doesn’t just resolve issues,” said Julia. “It reassures guests they’re in good hands.”

Response rate is a direct ranking factor in Airbnb’s search engine. Failing to reply to requests, booking inquiries or guest messages can negatively affect your search rankings, even if everything else is in order.

But responsiveness doesn’t mean you need to be glued to your phone. With a vacation rental software like Hostaway, you can automate replies, pre-schedule communications and track conversations across platforms. You’ll never miss a message — and your host profile will reflect professionalism and care.

Marcus added another layer to this advice: “Always respond to reviews. It’s free insurance. If a guest posts something critical and you reply thoughtfully, future guests see that you’re attentive and solution-oriented.”

Booking Settings: How to Help More Guests Find Your Listing

You’ve polished your photos, have a well-crafted title and cleaned every corner. Great! But if your Airbnb booking settings aren’t optimized, you may still be buried on page 5 of Airbnb’s search results.

Let’s walk through the settings that help potential guests find — and book — your listing faster.

Enable Instant Book

According to Marcus, “Instant Book is one of the easiest ways to improve your listing's visibility. It builds trust with guests and shows Airbnb you’re ready to host.”

Listings with Instant Book turned on often:

• Appear higher in Airbnb

• Receive more booking requests

• Convert potential guests faster by eliminating messaging delays

You can activate Instant Book directly in your Hostaway listing editor or via your Airbnb dashboard under “Booking Options”.

Remove gaps and blocked dates

“The more dates a listing is available, the more likely it is to be compatible with a guest’s plans — and that’s a key part of how Airbnb ranks listings,” says Julia.

If your Airbnb booking calendar has short, unbookable gap days — say, 1 or 2 nights between longer stays — you're likely missing out on easy revenue.

Ways to fix this:

• Lower your minimum stay to allow bookings that fill in gaps

• Use Dynamic Rules in Hostaway to auto-open gap nights between longer bookings

• Review the Airbnb calendar to manually “make nights available” when blocked by your rules

From the Hostaway dashboard, you can also set “smallest allowed gaps” to 1 night and allow reservations X days out. This dynamic rule helps maximize your calendar with zero manual effort

Smart booking settings that boost visibility

How Hostaway Helps You Track and Improve Listing Quality

You don’t have to do it all manually. Hostaway’s tools make it easier to analyze performance, act on reviews and protect your search visibility.

Maria introduced the new Hostaway Quality Dashboard during the webinar, which centralizes Airbnb data across your properties. You’ll be able to spot which listings are slipping in quality, what areas (cleanliness, value, etc.) are driving issues and how you can fix them.

What’s more, the new AI-Powered Review Insights tool allows you to scan through thousands of guest reviews in seconds. The system identifies patterns — from dirty bathrooms to weak communication — and provides specific recommendations per listing.

Maria summed it up best:

“Even one unresolved issue can hurt your Airbnb listing’s visibility. But several issues across your portfolio? That’s how you lose bookings fast.”

By addressing problems before they escalate, you can safeguard your ranking and deliver consistently better guest experiences — the kind that lead to five-star reviews, repeat stays and long-term profitability.

Quality Is the New Competitive Advantage

In a crowded marketplace where short-term rentals are growing by the day, quality is no longer a bonus — it’s the baseline. It influences your reviews, your visibility, your search engine placement and ultimately your revenue.

Whether you're a new host trying to earn those first three bookings or a seasoned operator managing dozens of properties, the message is clear: focusing on quality isn’t just good hospitality — it’s smart strategy.

By mastering the pillars of quality and using data-powered tools like Hostaway, you can turn your Airbnb property into a consistently high-performing listing. One that shows up in search, attracts potential guests and keeps your booking calendar full — without burnout.