If you’re an Airbnb host, you know how important it is to get more bookings and increase your occupancy rate. One of the ways to do that is to enable instant book on your listing.
Instant book allows guests to book your property without having to wait for your approval. This can make your listing more attractive and convenient for guests who are looking for a quick and easy booking process.
But did you know that there are four different ways you can set up instant book on Airbnb? And that each one has its own impact on your conversion rate?
In this article, we’ll explain the four instant booking options on Airbnb, and help you decide which one is best for your listing and your conversion rate. Let’s get started!
PSSST! Want to view the video we made on this instead of reading this article? Click HERE to view on YouTube.
What are the four instant booking options on Airbnb?
According to Airbnb, these are the four instant booking options you can choose from:
- Anyone: This option allows anyone who meets Airbnb’s basic requirements to book your property instantly. This means they have a confirmed phone number, email address, payment method, and agreement to your house rules.
- Guests who have provided ID: This option allows only guests who have verified their identity with Airbnb to book your property instantly. This means they have uploaded a government-issued ID or connected their account to another online profile.
- Guests who are recommended by other hosts: This option allows only guests who have positive reviews from other hosts to book your property instantly. This means they have received at least one positive review and no negative reviews in the past 12 months.
- Guests who meet both requirements: This option allows only guests who have both verified their identity and received positive reviews from other hosts to book your property instantly. This is the most restrictive option of the four.
How do these options affect your conversion rate?
Your conversion rate is the percentage of guests who view your listing and end up booking it. The higher your conversion rate, the more bookings you get and the more money you make.
But how do these instant booking options affect your conversion rate? Well, it depends on several factors, such as your location, your niche, your competition, and your target audience.
However, according to our recent study, which analyzed data from over 4,000 Airbnb listings worldwide, there is a general trend that shows how these options affect your conversion rate on average.
Here were our findings:
- Anyone: This option has the highest conversion rate of all four options, with an average of 3.8%. This means that for every 100 views of your listing, about 4 guests will book it instantly. This option gives you the most exposure and convenience for guests who are looking for a hassle-free booking process. However, it also comes with some risks, such as getting guests who may not respect your property or your rules.
- Guests who have provided ID: This option has the second-highest conversion rate of all four options, with an average of 2.5%. This means that for every 100 views of your listing, around 2 to 3 guests will book it instantly. This option gives you some security and peace of mind, as you know that your guests have verified their identity with Airbnb. However, it also limits your potential pool of guests, as not everyone may be willing or able to provide their ID.
- Guests who are recommended by other hosts: This option has the same conversion rate as the previous one, with an average of 2.5%. This means that for every 100 views of your listing, around 2 to 3 guests will book it instantly. This option gives you some assurance and confidence, as you know that your guests have positive reviews from other hosts. However, it also narrows your potential pool of guests, as not everyone may have reviews or may have negative ones.
- Guests who meet both requirements: This option has the lowest conversion rate of all four options, with an average of 2.4%. This means that for every 100 views of your listing, about two to three guests will book it instantly. This option gives you the most protection and control, as you know that your guests have both verified their identity and received positive reviews from other hosts. However, it also reduces your potential pool of guests significantly, as very few guests may meet both requirements.
Which instant booking option is best for your listing and your conversion rate?
As you can see, there is no clear-cut answer to this question. Each option has its own pros and cons, and you need to weigh them carefully before making a decision.
However, here are some general tips and recommendations to help you choose the best option for your listing and your conversion rate:
- Consider your location and competition: If you’re in a high-demand or low-supply area, you may be able to afford to be more selective with your instant booking options, as you have less competition and more demand. However, if you’re in a low-demand or high-supply area, you may want to be more flexible with your instant booking options, as you have more competition and less demand.
- Consider your niche and target audience: If you’re catering to a specific niche or target audience, such as business travelers, families, or couples, you may want to tailor your instant booking options to suit their preferences and needs. For example, business travelers may prefer the convenience and speed of instant booking without any requirements, while families or couples may appreciate the security and trust of instant booking with some requirements.
- Consider your goals and preferences: Ultimately, you need to decide what matters most to you as a host: getting more bookings or getting better guests. If you prioritize quantity over quality, you may want to choose the anyone option, as it gives you the most exposure and conversions. However, if you prioritize quality over quantity, you may want to choose one of the other options, as it gives you more screening and filtering.
Final Verdict
If your goal is to strike a winning balance between ensuring security and bolstering conversion rates, the path is clear: demand both a verified identity and a well-reviewed profile from your guests. This double-barreled approach surprisingly mirrors the conversion rates of single-filter methods.
This not only means a safer hosting experience, but also one that does not compromise on your conversion success. So, don’t be shy to set high standards—it’s your property and your success on the line. Stand firm, be bold, and the results will follow.
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