Tips

How to Rank Higher on Airbnb Search (Quick & Proven Tips)

Get your Airbnb listing seen. Here are five quick and proven tips to reach the first page and rank higher on search engines on and off the Airbnb platform.

Want your listing to show up on Airbnb search results? Try these 5 tweaks now.

If you want your Airbnb listing to show up on top of the search results in competitive locations like “Cebu IT Park,” "Cebu City," or "Mandaue City," focus on these five (5) key ranking factors (plus a bonus tip, so be sure to read until the end):

1. Title Optimization

Open your Google Chrome browser and choose Incognito mode. Are you there yet? If yes, visit https://www.airbnb.com and type "Cebu IT Park" in the "Where" field, then choose dates (2 nights or 1 night), and put two guests. Check out the results.

The top listings for “Cebu IT Park” include keywords like “IT PARK,” “IT Park Cebu,” or “Cebu IT Park” directly in their titles. What does it mean for you? If your listing is near a major tourist spot, a business hub, or a shopping mall, be sure to mention it in the title.

Pro tip: Long-time Airbnb users often search using exact building (like "AVIDA Riala") or condo names, so include these in your title when possible to boost visibility and guide the searchers to your listing.

2. Superhost Status

All properties with the “Guest Favorite” badge are managed by Superhosts. Superhosts consistently deliver excellent guest experiences and enjoy higher ranking. To become and stay a Superhost, you must:

Maintain a 4.8 or higher overall rating
Complete at least 10 stays or 100 nights across 3 separate stays
Keep your cancellation rate below 1 percent
Respond to 90 percent of guest messages within 24 hours

Almost all listings on the first page are managed by Superhosts. However, Airbnb slips in a few new listings to boost their visibility and help new hosts get traction.

If you are just starting out, leverage this opportunity by focusing on delivering a five-star experience during your first three stays or within your first month.

Getting great early reviews is critical to building momentum and securing a permanent spot higher in search results (the opposite is also true: poor ratings will bury your listing fast). For a detailed guide on becoming a Superhost in less than three months, check out my post: Top 10 Tips to Get Superhost Status on Airbnb in 3 Months (or Less!)

Needless to say, the Superhost badge is essential to rank well and drive more bookings.

3. Guest Favorite Badge

Not all Superhosts are Guest Favorites. This badge sets you apart even further. Listings that are in the top 1 percent, 5 percent, or 10 percent earn a gold trophy next to their title. Plus, listings with this badge tend to rank higher on search.

Other listings that meet the reliability and review standards will show a gray badge with a note like “This home is a guest favorite based on ratings, reviews, and reliability.”

This is how a Guest Favorite badge of top 5% listings looks like on the listing page.

To qualify, your listing needs at least five reviews in the last two years with consistently high ratings. Even new hosts can get this badge.

4. Competitive Pricing

Achieving Superhost status or the Guest Favorite badge enhances a listing's visibility on Airbnb. However, the search algorithm often favors listings with lower prices, reflecting market dynamics where affordability drives demand, particularly when guests use price filters.

Having said that, you will find that getting the Superhost badge is necessary to be even competing for price.

Even if you are in the top 1 percent with a gold trophy, a cheaper competitor could still outrank you.

Finding the right pricing balance is crucial. Hosts who rent or sublease units often need to mark up nightly rates to cover their costs, while owners who focus on paying off a mortgage or condo dues can afford to price lower and rank higher.

If your apartment features thoughtful extras like a duvet and memory-foam bed, showcase it.

That said, it is possible to justify a higher price if your listing’s unique selling point is instantly clear. If your main photos highlight standout features, like exceptional interior design, high-end toiletries (expensive bath soaps and shampoos), fine furniture pieces, premium snack offerings and more, guests will be more willing to pay extra. Your first image must immediately tell guests why your space is worth the premium price.

5. Availability Settings

If you have checked everything and still don't rank high enough on search results, see if you can tweak your availability settings. To appear in search results, your listing must match the guest’s selected dates. For instance, if you're a new host in your first month of hosting, keeping your calendar open for one-night stays can help you appear more often and rank higher in search.

*Sometimes, Airbnb has a section with suggested listings that are similar to the dates of searchers, but don't match the exact dates.*

Once you have a few bookings and reviews, it is common practice to allow one-night stays on weekdays but set a two-night minimum for weekends to reduce turnover and cleaning costs.

In my case, I have a full-time cleaner who takes weekends off, so I adjust my calendar around her schedule. I believe in giving others the work-life balance I value as an employee. Staying flexible with availability, especially early on, gives you a big advantage in building momentum.

Bonus: Description Matters More Than You Think

Many hosts overlook their listing description, but it can make a big difference in how you rank inside Airbnb and even on search engines outside the platform.

The basic structure is simple: mention the key places your listing is near. For example, I do not include “Oakridge Business Park” or “Midpoint Residences” in my listing title. However, I still rank for those keywords because I placed them naturally in my description. (Yes, location settings through Airbnb map also helped.)

When competition is tight, small moves like this can push you ahead.

Optimizing isn’t an exact science, but I made it my mission to squeeze every advantage I could. If you take one thing from this post, it’s this: think like a guest. What would matter most to you? For me, it was clear — affordability and a responsive host who genuinely cares. That’s why I showcase those values in my photos, title, and pricing.

Stay tuned as I create an easy-to-use title and description optimizer to help you rank better and convert lookers into bookers. If you've not yet signed up as a member, consider being a subscriber today.