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Another question called out during the session was in regard to pricing updates for your listing. Rest assured that they work the same as any other channel connected to your Hospitable account. So whenever we have a change in pricing, we push it to all channels at the same time.
Ranking Higher with GVR
Google Vacation Rentals (GVR) offers significant visibility and potential for direct bookings — Mark explores it further and offers valuable tips for hosts looking to enhance their visibility on GVR. Whilst he could not divulge the exact workings of the Google algorithm, he did emphasize some key points to consider.
The first step is ensuring price accuracy and comprehensive price coverage. “Accuracy and fidelity are really why we want to unlock the maximum opportunity for you,” Mark says. He emphasizes the importance of showcasing your property’s unique features, “highlighting the attributes of the property that make it special.”
He further elaborates on the significance of detailed, high-quality content, including multiple photos, clear titles, thorough descriptions, and amenities like parking, A/C, and internet. Mark notes, “These are key things that users look for, and this is what we call the high-fidelity content of the listing.”
Additionally, showcasing your brand and logo is becoming increasingly important, as mentioned by both Google and Hospitable experts. This helps build user trust and consistency between the GVR listing and your property’s landing page: “When they click through to your property landing page, they see exactly the same brands — a lot more user trust.”
Hospitable will soon add a feature that allows you to showcase your own logo on the GVR listing versus showing the Hospitable logo.
Google’s Vision of the Vacation Rental Industry
Laura from Google reveals, “We are heavily investing in the travel market and vacation rentals.” While she couldn’t share specific numbers, the direction Google is taking isn’t just about housing but on the entire travel journey of a guest.
The concept of “unified lodging” was also highlighted by Mark as a significant area of focus. This idea entails blending various types of accommodations, including hotels and vacation rentals, to offer a more seamless and diverse range of options to travelers.
The impact of such developments in the short-term rental market is potentially transformative. With Google’s vast resources, their deeper dive into vacation rentals could mean more visibility, streamlined booking processes, and enhanced user experiences for both hosts and guests.
Are you curious to learn even more about GVR? Don’t wait and head to our help article to find out more about listing your properties on Google Travel.
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