The Secret of Featured Listings on Airbnb and Booking: Photo, Price, and Text Strategies

While browsing on Airbnb or Booking, you may have noticed that some listings catch your attention instantly, while others seem to slip your mind.

So what is the secret of standout listings?
Is it just the beauty of the house, or is there a professional strategy behind it?

In this article, we will explain how to enhance your vacation rental listing in terms of photo, price, and text.

1. Photo: First Impression, Final Decision

On platforms, guests look at photos first, then prices, then headlines. In other words, the photo is the first element that determines the fate of your listing.

The essentials of a strong listing photo:

• Natural light: Shooting should be done during the day, in daylight as much as possible.

• Wide angle but not exaggerated: It should not make the space look larger than it is, but rather appear accurate.

• Arrangement and cleanliness: Sheets should be ironed, surfaces clean, and clutter should be close to zero.

• Detail photos: “Storytelling” details like a coffee corner, balcony, view, workspace.

• Choosing a cover photo: The most striking shot should be the cover photo. A combination of view + spacious living room works very powerfully.

If possible, having a professional photo shoot significantly increases conversion rates.

2. Price: Not Too High, Not Too Low

Price affects both perception and search ranking.
Very low price:

• Can create a perception of cheap/low quality.

• Can lock you into a model that is not profitable in the long run.

Very high price:

• Reduces the click-through rate in search results.

• The imbalance between price/performance can reflect in reviews.

For correct pricing:

• Regularly check the prices of similar homes in your area.

• Consider the season, weekdays/weekends, special days, and local events.

• Adjust your price based on your occupancy target (being a little flexible in low season can be beneficial).

• If possible, use dynamic pricing tools or professional management support.

Remember: The goal is not the highest nightly rate, but to achieve the highest total income spread throughout the year.

3. Text: Sell the Experience, Not Your Home

Many listing descriptions start like this:
"My home is 2+1, 500 meters from the sea, new building."

It provides information but does not persuade.
Guests are looking for not just a house, but an experience.

A good listing text:

• Addreses the target guest (“Ideal for families”, “Quiet workspace for remote workers” etc.).

• Clearly states the advantages of the house (location, view, large balcony, fast internet, parking etc.).

• Describes what can be done in the area (hiking trails, restaurants, beaches, cafes).

• Expresses house rules in a clear and polite manner.

Example introductory sentence:

“Would you like to stay in a spacious and bright apartment in a quiet beach town, where you can enjoy your coffee on the balcony in the mornings, suitable for remote work with its fast internet?”

4. Headline: Make a Difference with 3–4 Words

The headline is the first area seen right after the photo, and it is incredibly critical.

Strong headline examples:

• “3 Minutes Walk to the Sea | Spacious 2+1 with Balcony”

• “Fast Wi-Fi + Workspace | Apartment Close to the Beach”

• “Ideal for Families | In a Gardened, Secure Complex”

Using at least two of the following elements in the headline is very effective:

• Location advantage (close to the sea, in the center, quiet neighborhood etc.)

• Type of home (with balcony, with garden, duplex etc.)

• Target audience (family, couple, remote worker etc.)

• A strong feature (view, parking, fast internet etc.)

5. Reviews and Ratings: The Strongest Social Proof

No matter how well you prepare photos and text, reviews and ratings are decisive in guest decisions.

• You can take bookings at slightly more flexible prices for your first guests and accumulate strong reviews.

• Small gestures (welcome note, coffee/tea offering) work very well to increase guest satisfaction.

• Responding professionally and calmly to negative reviews gives security to future guests.

Conclusion: Think of Your Listing as a Showcase

Your Airbnb and Booking listing is the digital showcase of your vacation home.
With professional photos, correct pricing, and a well-written listing text:

• You can be more visible in rankings,

• Higher occupancy,

• Better reviews, and

• In the end, you can achieve higher revenue.

If you wish, we can review your current listing together and provide detailed improvement suggestions regarding headline–photo–text–price.