When it comes to Airbnb, standing out is everything. In a sea of beautiful listings, how do you ensure yours catches the eye? Enter Airbnb SEO, the secret sauce that gets your property noticed. This month, we've done the homework for you, identifying the top-performing keywords to boost your visibility and secure more bookings. Whether you're new to hosting or a seasoned pro, these insights will help your listing shine.
What is Airbnb SEO?
Think of Airbnb SEO as the magic formula that decides which listings appear at the top when guests search. While traditional SEO focuses on Google, Airbnb’s algorithm has its own priorities: listing quality, popularity, competitive pricing, responsiveness, and relevance to guest searches.
This last factor, relevance to guest searches, is one you can manipulate the most by injecting the right keywords into your listings that match guest-search behavior at that time.
By implementing those keywords, you can improve your ranking and attract more bookings. If you are interested in learning more about exactly how Airbnb SEO works and how to implement it, we recommend you read this blog.
How to conduct keyword research
Keyword research is the backbone of any good SEO strategy. To identify high-impact keywords, you have to start by analyzing Airbnb’s search queries, studying seasonal trends, and benchmarking competitors. Focus on:
- Mining long-tail keywords like “romantic cabin with hot tub near Asheville” to target specific guest needs.
- Tracking local events and travel trends to identify emerging keyword opportunities.
- Studying top-performing listings in your area to uncover gaps and opportunities.
You can also use tools like Google Ads’ keyword planner to get inspiration for sought after keywords, however this does not cover Airbnb specifically.
AutoRank specializes in finding the most impactful keywords on Airbnb at that time and relevant to your listings. On top of that, it can inject those keywords into your description and titles automatically, thanks to its AI-driven algorithm. Learn more about how AutoRank implements Airbnb SEO to boost your listings’ performance.
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These insights help you tailor your listing to reflect what travelers are actively searching for, making it easier for guests to find you. AutoRank’s keyword feature is about to get even better! Soon, we’ll be rolling out an updated version that gives hosts and property managers more control. You’ll be able to customize your keyword preferences, adding or removing keywords that match your listing, including closely related ones, and even excluding keywords that don’t fit.February’s must-have Airbnb keywordsWe conducted keyword research for 5 major short-term rental-dense cities in the US. Below you can find the top 20 keywords and where you can add them for the most effect: in your description or title. Location-based keywords you can add to your listing
New York City
Make sure to use those keywords, keeping the characteristics of your property in mind. Just like we explained in our previous blog about guest reviews, it is essential to write an accurate listing description and title.
Houston
Here are the top 20 keywords you can use for your property in February to boost visibility in Houston, Texas.
San Francisco
We also listed the top 20 keywords to include in your listings for San Francisco in February.
Orlando
Orlando is one of the most competitive areas in the US, with a lot of short-term rentals competing for bookings, it is very important to invest in increasing your visibility by including the strongest keywords customized to your properties.
Event-based keywords you can addHere are some event-based keywords to consider for your Airbnb listing in February 2025:
- "Valentine's Day Getaway" – Perfect for couples looking for a romantic retreat.
- "Winter Festivals" – If your location hosts any winter celebrations, highlight them.
- "Super Bowl Weekend" – If your property is near a location where people gather to watch the Super Bowl, mention it.
- "Spring Break" – Early spring travelers may be looking for accommodations in February for Spring Break.
- "Carnival" – For listings near destinations celebrating Carnival, this keyword can draw in festive guests.
- "Chinese New Year" – If your location has events or celebrations for the Lunar New Year, this can be an attractive keyword.
The importance of booking windows in SEOA booking window, also known as booking lead time on Airbnb, refers to the period between when a guest books a property and their actual check-in date. Understanding your booking window is crucial because it determines what type of keywords will resonate with your audience. For example:
- Guests booking months in advance may search for seasonal terms like “Christmas getaway” or “summer beach house.”
- Last-minute travelers might use keywords like “last-minute deals” or “weekend escape.”
Average lead time changes over time, depending on the season, location and other factors. We also see the average lead time going down in the past years. This graph shows the trends of lead times or booking windows for the past 6 years.
With this insight, you can align your keywords with guest behavior. For short booking windows, emphasize urgency with terms like “quick getaway” or “same-day booking.” For longer windows, focus on experiences or events that require advance planning.To find your booking window on Airbnb:
- Navigate to your performance dashboard.
- Go to insights via ‘Menu’
- Click on performance and navigate to ‘Conversions’
- There, you will be able to see your average booking lead time
How to integrate keywords into your listings
Having the right keywords is only part of the equation. Here’s how to use them effectively in your listing:
Optimize your title. Your title is the first thing guests see. Include 2-3 impactful keywords while keeping it concise and engaging. For example: “Cozy pet-friendly cabin – near ski slopes and local festivals.”
Enhance your description. Tell a compelling story rather than listing features mechanically. Highlight unique aspects of your property while naturally incorporating keywords. For instance: “Escape to our charming cabin, perfect for families and digital nomads. Enjoy breathtaking mountain views, high-speed Wi-Fi, and access to nearby hiking trails.”
Focus on amenities. Use specific, keyword-rich phrases to describe amenities. Instead of just “Wi-Fi,” say “high-speed Wi-Fi ideal for remote work.”
Use captions for photos. Incorporate keywords into photo captions. For example: “Spacious living room with a fireplace, perfect for cozy nights.” Including keywords in photo captions helps improve your listing's visibility by making it easier for search algorithms and guests to find your property.
Leverage guest interactions. Reinforce your listing’s appeal in pre-arrival messages and review responses. Subtly include keywords like “family-friendly cabin near Lake Tahoe” to highlight features for future readers.
Why understanding SEO is crucial for good performance on Airbnb
Mastering Airbnb SEO isn’t just about climbing the search rankings. It’s about understanding your audience and tailoring your listing to their needs. By implementing the strategies discussed here, you can improve your listing’s visibility, attract more bookings from your ideal guests, and stay competitive in a crowded marketplace.
Case Study: The AI-powered SEO that doubled Airbnb page views
A short-term rental in Utah was struggling with visibility, falling 35% behind similar listings.The property owner relied on intuition to craft titles and descriptions, but it didn’t keep up with Airbnb’s algorithm changes.
In November 2024, the owner implemented AutoRank, an AI-driven tool that analyzed top-performing listings, identified effective keywords, and seamlessly integrated them into the property’s title and description. AutoRank refreshed the listing every 48 hours to stay aligned with changing trends.
Within one week, page views doubled, matching the performance of competitors. This case demonstrates how leveraging AI-powered SEO can boost Airbnb visibility and drive bookings effortlessly.
For more, read the full case study here.
Want to dive deeper into your listing’s performance? Explore your booking trends, refine your keywords, and keep testing new strategies. The more you know, the better you’ll be at meeting guest expectations.
Conclusion
February is the perfect time to fine-tune your Airbnb SEO strategy and inject the right keywords to boost your visibility. By focusing on trending event-based keywords like “Valentine’s Day Getaway” or “Winter Festivals,” along with evergreen terms like “Pet-Friendly” or “Remote Work-Friendly,” you can position your property to attract the right guests.
With AutoRank, you can seamlessly integrate high-impact keywords that align with current travel trends and guest behavior, automatically updating your listing to stay relevant. Book an AutoRank demo today to see how the right SEO strategy can boost your listings’ performance.