Metasearch is one the most effective channels to drive bookings to in-need properties. The availability of flexible bidding tools in the metasearch channel allows advertisers to be very specific in the way they prioritize budget and target users. By utilizing these bidding levers and internal occupancy data, it is possible to drive incremental bookings where and when they matter most. When done correctly, advertisers are able to improve current campaign performance in the following ways:
- Booking gains of 15% to 20%
- Up to a 10% improvement in conversion rate (CVR)
- A 10% to 20% decrease in cost per click (CPC)
Furthermore, advertisers gain the ability to dynamically shift budget to in-need hotels/markets. They are also able to better utilize incremental funding, empowering in-need properties to directly contribute to marketing initiatives that will drive results for their property.
How does it work?
Google offers in excess of 300 bidding multipliers, and of those 300, 10 are designated for Advance Booking Window (ABW). We can customize the ABW multipliers on a property level. The multipliers can be manipulated based on their expected occupancy. This enables advertisers to increase or decrease their presence in particular times of need based on the consumer’s selected check-in date. Combining occupancy data with the Advance Booking Window multiplier can prove to be a powerful tool. This is because we can identify where and when there is a need for more bookings and precisely shift budget as a response.
Imagine a scenario in which you only have two properties, Hotel A and Hotel B. On any given day, the occupancy of Hotel A is 95% and Hotel B is 65%. The two properties have the same return, conversion rate, and positioning metrics. Traditional bidding algorithms would consider these properties about equal and would optimize bids for both properties equally, splitting available budget between the two. This approach ignores the fact that there is more availability at Hotel B, and therefore, there are likely more booking opportunities at Hotel B.
