Did you know that more than 60% of bookings on Airbnb are made right on the spot? That’s right, and Airbnb claims that hosts who allow instant booking on average see a 20% increase in their bookings. But what exactly is “instant booking,” and why should you consider it for your own listing? Read on to find out!
What is Instant Booking?
Instant booking is an option available to Airbnb hosts that allows guests to book their stay without first sending a request. This removes some of the barriers to purchase for guests, as they don’t have to wait for the host to accept their request or message them about availability. Airbnb also rewards hosts who offer instant booking by giving them higher search rankings.
That said, if you’re hesitant about turning on instant booking, know that you can still set specific criteria for guests looking to book instantly with you. For example, this could include having at least one review, being ID verified, and more. This way, you can rest assured knowing that your guests meet certain standards before being able to book with you without requesting first.
Why You Should Consider Instant Booking
When it comes to hosting on Airbnb, there are a lot of factors to think about—including whether or not you should offer instant booking. The answer depends largely on your level of comfort when it comes to hosting strangers in your home.
However, if done properly (with all necessary safety precautions in place), allowing instant booking can be a great way to increase your occupancy rate while also providing some additional security measures for yourself and your guests.
Making The Change
If you’re hosting on Airbnb, but aren’t sure whether or not you should allow instant booking, take some time to do your research and decide what works best for you and your property. While there are certainly some risks involved with allowing people to instantly book without first messaging or requesting your space, there are also significant benefits—including increased occupancy rates and better search rankings from Airbnb itself!
Don’t worry; with the right criteria in place (such as requiring guests have at least one review or be ID verified), offering an instant-book option can be a great way to make sure your hosting experience goes smoothly and successfully.
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