Most hospitality professionals put effort in optimizing their listings, but there is one element they often miss out on, their description. The time of passive listing descriptions is over, you need to make them more dynamic to push your listings to the top of the OTAs.
NB: This is an article from Otamiser
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Today we are discussing the future of OTA descriptions and how you can leverage this knowledge. And before you click away, we announce an exciting new solution that might change the way you handle your listings forever, so read till the end!
Why Description Optimization Matters
Your listing’s visibility and appeal are directly influenced by the quality of your descriptions. We all know the importance of adding all of your amenities, services, and property details to your listing, however the algorithmic complexity of OTAs is increasing. That means that these basic adjustments don’t do it anymore. By optimizing descriptions, you’re increasing the chances that your listing will appear in the top search results, thereby driving more traffic and bookings and maximizing your OTA revenue.
Why Static Descriptions Don’t Work Anymore
Most hosts create a compelling description when they first list their property and then never touch it again. However, market conditions and traveler preferences change constantly, and so should your listing.
Here are a few reasons why static descriptions fall short:
- Shifting Market Demand:
Depending on seasons, events and other factors, the audience that is looking for travel accommodation changes. A family-friendly home might attract couples during off-peak times, or business travellers might look for long-term stays during conferences. If your description doesn’t speak to the right audience at the right time, you could be missing out on potential bookings.
- Algorithm Priorities:
Like other online platforms, OTAs use an algorithm to rank listings. Dynamic content – regularly updated descriptions, photos, and titles – shows those algorithms that your listing is fresh, relevant, and worth showing to more potential guests.
Different Approaches for Airbnb and Booking.com
Every OTA works differently. In this blog we will be covering 2 of the biggest OTAs out there, Airbnb and Booking.com. We will give you tips on how to write Airbnb descriptions and Booking.com descriptions. Of course, if you are only present on one of these platforms, feel free to skip to the relevant one.
