Airbnb Listing Optimization: Rank Higher & Get More Bookings
Our 100-point scoring system breaks down the exact factors that impact Airbnb's search algorithm — so you know precisely what to fix and in what order.
Based on our 100-point algorithm-aligned scoring model with MTR-specific adjustments
Airbnb's search algorithm determines which listings appear at the top of search results. Understanding how this algorithm works is the key to getting more views, more bookings, and higher revenue.
Our scoring system allocates 90 base points across 5 core categories, plus 10 bonus points for Market Position (when competitive data is available). Each factor has been weighted according to its actual impact on listing performance.
The 6 Categories of Airbnb Optimization
Your listing's score is divided into 6 categories (90 base + 10 bonus), each weighted by its impact on Airbnb's search algorithm:
Guest Standing
Guest Favorite badge, overall rating, sub-rating average, and Superhost status.
Review Strength
Review count (age-adjusted), recent quality, velocity, sentiment, and trend.
Pricing & Value
Price competitiveness, fee transparency, and discount strategy (weekly & monthly).
Listing Content
Photo count, amenity count, and high-demand amenity coverage.
Booking & Calendar
Instant Book, 30-day occupancy rate, and gap night management.
Market Position
Price vs market, rating vs market, and amenity coverage compared to competitors.
1. Guest Standing (25 points)
Why This is #1
Guest Standing is the highest-weighted category because it reflects the cumulative quality of your hosting. The Guest Favorite badge alone is worth 8 points — the single most valuable factor across all categories. Even a 0.1-star increase in your rating can add $100–$200 in monthly revenue.
Critical Thresholds:
- Below 4.35 stars: Risk of listing removal
- 4.8+ stars: Required for Superhost status
- 5.0 stars: Maximum score (7 pts)
Guest Favorite Badge (8 pts)
The single most valuable factor in the entire scoring model.
Overall Star Rating (7 pts)
Sub-Rating Average (5 pts)
Average of cleanliness, accuracy, check-in, communication, location, and value ratings. Scored proportionally to 5 points.
Superhost Status (5 pts)
Requirements: 4.8+ rating, 90%+ response rate, <1% cancellation rate, 10+ stays/year
Action Steps to Improve Guest Standing
- •Earn Guest Favorite: Maintain 4.9+ rating with 10+ reviews to qualify for this high-value badge
- •Proactive Communication: Message guests before, during, and after their stay
- •Spotless Cleanliness: Hire professional cleaners and inspect before each check-in
- •Request Reviews: Send a friendly automated message the day after checkout
- •Respond to All Reviews: Thank guests for positive reviews and professionally address concerns
2. Review Strength (22 points)
Why Reviews Go Beyond Stars
Review Strength measures not just how many reviews you have, but how recent, frequent, and positive they are. The algorithm uses age-adjusted targets — a 6-month-old listing needs fewer reviews than a 3-year-old one. MTR listings have separate velocity thresholds.
Review Count — Age-Adjusted (7 pts)
Target scales with listing age. Newer listings need fewer reviews to score well.
Recent Review Quality (5 pts)
Review Velocity (4 pts)
STR (Short-Term):
MTR (Mid-Term):
Sentiment & Trend (6 pts)
Sentiment (3 pts):
Trend (3 pts):
Action Steps to Strengthen Reviews
- •Follow Up Promptly: Send a personalized message within 24 hours of checkout with a direct review link
- •Maintain Momentum: Consistent review velocity matters — don't let months pass without new reviews
- •Address Concerns: Respond to negative reviews professionally and make visible improvements
- •Track Sentiment: Monitor what guests praise and complain about to target specific improvements
3. Pricing & Value (15 points)
Why Pricing Matters
It's not about being the cheapest — it's about offering the best value for your market. The algorithm evaluates your nightly rate against comparables, checks whether your fees are transparent, and rewards hosts who offer weekly/monthly discounts.
Price Competitiveness (6 pts)
Fee Transparency (4 pts)
High cleaning fees relative to nightly rate hurt perceived value.
Discount Strategy (5 pts)
Monthly (max 3 pts):
Weekly (max 2 pts):
Action Steps to Optimize Pricing
- •Research Competitors: Check 10-15 similar listings in your area to set your base price
- •Keep Fees Reasonable: Aim for total fees under 15% of the nightly rate
- •Offer Monthly Discounts: Set a 20-30% monthly discount to attract longer stays and earn 2-3 points
- •Add Weekly Discounts: Even 5-15% weekly discounts earn 1-2 additional points
4. Listing Content (15 points)
Your Digital Curb Appeal
Photos and amenities are the first things potential guests evaluate. This category rewards listings with strong visual presentation, comprehensive amenity lists, and coverage of the 11 high-demand amenities guests search for most.
Photo Count (6 pts)
Amenity Count (5 pts)
High-Demand Amenities (4 pts)
The 11: WiFi, A/C, parking, washer, kitchen, workspace, self check-in, pool, hot tub, TV, pet-friendly
Action Steps to Improve Content
- •Add More Photos: Aim for 20+ photos covering every room, amenities, outdoor spaces, and the neighborhood
- •Max Out Amenities: Check off everything you offer — even small items like hairdryer and coffee maker
- •Cover High-Demand Items: Add as many of the 11 high-demand amenities as possible (WiFi, A/C, parking, washer, etc.)
- •Use Professional Photos: Well-lit, wide-angle photos dramatically improve click-through rates
5. Booking & Calendar (13 points)
Why Settings Matter
Airbnb wants to show listings that are easy to book and consistently occupied. Instant Book is the single highest-point factor in this category, and gap night management ensures you're not leaving money on the table with awkward 1-2 night gaps.
Instant Book (5 pts)
The easiest 5 points you can earn — takes 2 minutes to enable.
Occupancy Rate — 30 Day (4 pts)
Gap Night Management (4 pts)
MTR listings automatically earn 4 pts (gap nights don't apply).
Action Steps for Booking & Calendar
- •Enable Instant Book: This is the single easiest optimization — 5 points in 2 minutes
- •Fill Gap Nights: Use Airbnb's 'Fill a gap' feature or reduce minimum stay for orphan dates
- •Keep Calendar Open: Maintain high availability for the next 30–90 days
- •Reduce Minimum Stay: Lower minimums during slow periods to boost occupancy
6. Market Position (10 bonus points)
Bonus Category
Market Position is scored only when competitive analysis data is available (comparable listings in your area). These 10 bonus points measure how you stack up against nearby listings on price, rating, and amenities.
Price vs Market (4 pts)
Rating vs Market (3 pts)
Amenity Coverage (3 pts)
Quick Wins: Easiest Changes, Highest Impact
Enable Instant Book
Takes 2 minutes — earns 5 points
The highest point-per-minute return of any optimization.
Add Monthly Discount
Takes 2 minutes — earns up to 3 points
Set a 20-30% monthly discount to attract longer stays.
Max Out Amenities
Takes 10 minutes — earns up to 9 points
Check off everything you offer — 5 pts for count + 4 pts for high-demand coverage.
How to Interpret Your Score
| Score Range | Grade | Performance | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90–100 | A+ | Top 10% — Elite | Maintain & monitor |
| 85–89 | A | Excellent | Minor tweaks |
| 80–84 | A- | Very Good | Minor optimizations |
| 70–79 | B+/B | Good | Moderate improvements |
| 55–69 | B-/C+/C | Average | Significant improvements needed |
| Below 55 | C-/D/F | Needs Work | Major overhaul required |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most important factor for Airbnb search ranking?
Guest Standing is the highest-weighted category at 25 points out of 100. The Guest Favorite badge alone is worth 8 points — the single most valuable factor. Maintaining a 4.8+ star rating is critical for Superhost status and high search visibility.
How much can improving my listing increase my revenue?
The average host leaves $200–$500/month on the table from fixable listing mistakes. Even a 0.1-star increase in your average rating can add $100–$200 in monthly revenue. Most fixes take less than an hour.
How many photos should I have on my Airbnb listing?
Aim for 20+ photos to earn the full 6 points in the Listing Content category. Listings with 12–19 photos earn 4 points, while those with fewer than 12 earn only 2 points.
Should I enable Instant Book on Airbnb?
Yes. Instant Book is worth 5 of the 13 points in Booking & Calendar — the single highest-point factor in that category. It takes 2 minutes to enable and Airbnb's algorithm strongly favors it.