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The vacation rental industry is experiencing significant growth, with demand outpacing supply in 2023 and showing no signs of slowing down. Recognizing this trend, Google introduced Google Vacation Rentals, which has gained increased traction in recent times.
As travelers commonly turn to search engines when planning their journeys, Google took a crucial step in meeting their accommodation needs. Since May 2021, Google's search engine began featuring vacation rental properties alongside traditional hotel options. Some hosts have reported a boost in bookings by at least 10% through Google Vacation Rentals.
Is this feature worth exploring for your property? Let's uncover how it operates and the potential benefits it offers.
Understanding Google Vacation Rentals Functionality
Google Vacation Rentals is a specialized feature introduced by Google to enhance the search experience for booking accommodations. It joins Google Flights and Hotel Ads within the Google Travel trip planning tool. This functionality aims to streamline the accommodation search process for travelers.
Users can browse photos of listings from Google's approved connectivity partners. However, it's crucial to note that Google Vacation Rentals operates as an aggregator, and users are redirected to the respective vacation rental platform or property management company's website to complete the booking.
How Listings Appear in Search Results
Google Vacation Rentals occupies a prominent position in search results, typically situated between paid ads and organic results dominated by major OTAs like Airbnb and Vrbo. When users enter search terms such as "Chicago Vacation Rentals," they see a vacation rental snippet and a map with rates. Clicking on "View all rentals" redirects users to the Google Vacation Rentals search page, creating a separate search engine experience within Google.
On this dedicated page, users can refine their search with filters for destination, dates, prices, rating, amenities, guests, rooms, and accommodation type. It's important to highlight that the exact location of a vacation rental is revealed only after the reservation is finalized, respecting the privacy of the owner and guests.
Benefits of Google Vacation Rentals for Hosts
For property owners, the inclusion of vacation rental listings in Google's search results offers several advantages. Google's status as one of the most widely used search engines ensures increased visibility. The positioning of Google Vacation Rentals between paid ads and powerful OTAs presents an opportunity for smaller hosts to compete favorably.
Additionally, the credibility and reliability associated with Google contribute to building trust among travelers. Listing on Google Vacation Rentals and Google Travel can enhance the overall exposure of a property.
Listing Your Property on Google Vacation Rentals
Currently, property owners cannot directly list their properties on Google. Instead, they must work with Google's approved partners or connectivity providers. Several options are available:
1. List on Partnered Vacation Rental Sites: If your property is already listed on partner OTAs like Expedia, Vrbo, Hotels.com, and others, it may already appear on Google Vacation Rentals.
2. Engage with Large Property Management Companies: Listings managed by prominent property management companies like Vacasa and Vtrips tend to feature on Google Vacation Rentals.
3. Partner with Google-Approved Connectivity Providers:*Businesses can integrate with Google Vacation Rentals through approved connectivity providers, facilitating a seamless connection with the platform.
4. Direct Integration with Google Vacation Rentals: Companies with over 5,000 properties and the technical capabilities to integrate XML feeds can directly integrate with Google Vacation Rentals.
Google My Business vs. Google Vacation Rentals Listings
It's crucial to distinguish between Google My Business and Google Vacation Rentals. Google My Business allows businesses to create free listings, but it's not designed for rental properties. Creating a profile on Google My Business won't automatically feature properties on Google Vacation Rentals.
Direct Booking Traffic Through Google Vacation Rentals
While Google Vacation Rentals may not pick up individual vacation rental websites, property owners with direct booking websites can explore other avenues. Working with large property management companies or integration with Google-approved channel managers increases the likelihood of appearing on Google Vacation Rentals.
Fees and Booking Through Google Vacation Rentals
As of now, property owners don't incur additional fees for listing on Google Vacation Rentals. Moreover, Google does not charge commissions on bookings made through their platform. Travelers are redirected to the respective vacation rental platform to complete the booking, and standard OTA fees still apply.
Enhancing Exposure with iGMS
Given the competitiveness of the vacation rental industry, hosts need to explore new features and continually refine property management operations. Tools like iGMS property management software offer innovative solutions to streamline tasks, from managing multiple accounts on rental platforms to automating guest communication and handling reservations.
In conclusion, Google Vacation Rentals presents an enticing opportunity for property owners to expand their visibility on a widely used platform. While it requires collaboration with Google's approved partners or property management companies, the potential benefits in terms of exposure and credibility make it a venture worth considering in the evolving landscape of vacation rentals.