Top 10 Airbnb Blogs in 2022 – Guide To Hosting

With Airbnb constantly introducing new features and services, it is important to stay on top of the news. With Airbnb blogs, you are able to find the companies updates, fellow hosting problems, or just the latest tips.

Airbnb Universe tried to cover every question you guys have. If you aren’t able to find it here YET then these other Airbnb blogs will qualify in our eyes.

In this blog post, we will introduce you to our top Airbnb blogs that offer free resources that we have found valuable in the past.

Top 10 Recommended Airbnb Blogs

1. The Original Airbnb Blog

Simply, you just can’t beat the original. They created Airbnb and deserve the number one spot. Technically this is more of a forum since we find the Airbnb blog to suck. With the Airbnb community, other hosts will answer almost any question you have and discuss it.

2. Get Paid For Your Pad

Jasper Ribbers is the podcast king of Airbnb and rental properties. Getpaidforyourpad.com podcast episodes include topics such as “How to use Instagram to promote your listing”, “Using Airbnb in South America”, and “Create a business renting apartments”. Furthermore, they have a great selection of blog posts making it on our top Airbnb blogs list.

3. Airbnb Secrets

Dany Papineau is an actor/filmmaker from Montreal, Canada who found Airbnb after putting his home up for sale. Airbnbsecrets.com includes some of the best Airbnb tips on the web and has some great online courses available.

4. Learn Airbnb

Learnairbnb.com studies the art of Airbnb hosting by going straight to the source. They have collected the wisdom of over 1000’s hosts. Their blog posts share the best hosting tips from hosts themselves making it experience and science put together.

5. PassiveAirbnb

Sam Zuo worked in the corporate world until exhaustion and decided to do his own thing. After many attempts at entrepreneurial experiments, he stumbled upon this idea of starting an Airbnb business leveraging other people’s properties. From what he has learned, Sam has transferred everything into blog posts including courses and free advice.

6. OptimizemyAirbnb

Danny is a world traveler with over 1000 nights in Airbnb listings and 33 countries. He is also a super host and YouTube content creator giving great Airbnb advice. Furthermore, Danny is the author of Airbnb best seller “Optimize YOUR Bnb: The Definitive Guide to Ranking #1 in Airbnb Search”

7. Airbnb Guide

Airbnb Guide is a fellow friend and one of our first Airbnb blog connections. They offer some amazing tips on hosting and templates that any Airbnb host can use in their listing description.

8. The Airbnb Tips Blog

A network of experienced Airbnb hosts who have come together to give their tips and tricks. Overall, all their blog posts are informative and will help you become a better host/traveler.

9. The Abundant Host

The abundant host gives great advice for professional hosts. More technical tips on what to do and not to do as a host. We have found their website to be very informative. Furthermore, the abundant host gives courses if that’s what you’re into.

10. OurBnB

OurBnb is actually one of the newest Airbnb blogs we have found. They don’t write blog posts as frequently but what they do have is knowledgable.

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Final Thoughts

We would love to include ourselves into this list and especially at the top but figure it would be naive. Well just say, we try to give you guys the best information and all the answers relating to Airbnb. But, if you couldn’t find absolutely everything then some of these other Airbnb blogs will have it. Enjoy and happy hosting!

How To Choose An Airbnb Cleaning Service – 8 Simple Steps

Are you worried about how clean your Airbnb listing is? It is a problem that plagues many hosts. Anything less than immaculate when it comes to cleaning can get you negative reviews. That is where; a proper Airbnb cleaning service can help.

While some Airbnb hosts might think it is a tad harsh, would you as a guest rate a place nicely if it was not clean? You know the answer to that. That is why it is necessary to offer the same level of cleaning to your guests.

The solution to this problem is to set aside profits for a scheduled Airbnb cleaning service after each guest checkout or thoroughly clean a few times a week/month. Today, we will help you screen for a great Airbnb cleaning company, but before that, we will help you understand if it’s necessary.

3 Reasons To Hire An Airbnb Cleaning Service:

1. Airbnb Policies

Did you know that Airbnb has specific policies about cleanliness in your listing? If you consistently receive negative reviews due to cleanliness, Airbnb can charge you a penalty or even take your listing down completely.

2. Avoiding Those Negative Airbnb Reviews

If you have searched for an Airbnb listing before, you will realize that most of the negative reviews arise from lack of cleaning. Once you tackle it, you can eliminate the major source of negative reviews. Furthermore, it will help you increase the search ranking of your listing and also the occupancy rate.

3. Stress-Free Turnaround Experience

Turnaround time, especially the tighter ones (same-day), can be a nail-biting experience. Especially if you clean your own Airbnb. However, with a professional Airbnb cleaning service, you can delegate all the tasks and automate the majority of the cleaning beforehand.

All these reasons make it necessary that you hire an Airbnb cleaning service even if it’s every other booking. Now that you are aware of how it’s necessary, we will go into the details of how to choose a company.

8 Questions To Ask Before Hiring Any Airbnb Cleaning Service

1. Experience With Cleaning

Whether you’re selecting the financial consultant or a cleaning company, the experience is essential. We’re not just talking about any cleaning experience but experience in the short term rental markets.

One thing which you should understand is that conventional property management is different from Airbnb management. Any Airbnb cleaning service will understand that last-minute booking and a thorough job will need to be consistent. Do not shortlist short term rental experience.

By experience, we are also talking about at least a couple of years. Only once the Airbnb cleaning service has that experience, you can think about going with them. It is the first parameter which you should judge them on.

2. Services Offered

When it comes to cleaning an Airbnb listing, you will need specific services compared to your personal home. You should always ask any Airbnb cleaning company if they offer the services right away. These can include:

Once you ask a few of these questions, it is easy to understand what company you should choose. It’s always better to choose a cleaning company that can provide you with all of these services. It will ensure that you can deal with a single provider rather than juggling between various companies.

3. Attention To Detail

Most short term rental cleaning companies understand attention to detail is needed. Cleaning a rental unit is not like cleaning any other property. The company also needs to perform additional duties like:

4. Turnaround Times

How would you like your guest check-in process to be?

Smooth and quick, of course.

Well, in that case, you have to speak with the Airbnb cleaning service about the turnaround times in advance. In most cases, the cleaning company will not take more than 90 minutes to turnaround the listing. It means that they need to be fully dedicated to the job to get things done on time.

5. Schedule Flexibility

Early check-ins, late checkouts, and last-minute bookings are a reality in this business. It means that the cleaning company should always be on their toes to get things done.

A flexible schedule is very important, you want to be prepared for a last-minute Airbnb turnaround. You have to discuss this with your cleaning company in advance so that you can cater to all types of bookings.

6. Staff On Payroll

You might be thinking, why does staff on their payroll matter?

Well, chances are if they provide cleaning services to other short term rentals, they might be busy during the first half of the day. If they are thin on staff, cleaning some other unit might take precedence over yours. That is not a good situation. In that case, the circumstances will be ripe for receiving complaints as well as negative reviews from guests.

All of this is, however, avoidable. If the company has a large pool of experienced staff on their payroll, they can prioritize all units uniformly. It means that you will never get discriminatory treatment.

You can pose this question to the prospective Airbnb cleaning companies before choosing them. It will give you an idea regarding the one which can handle a higher workload.

7. Insurance

Short turnaround times, high occupancy rate, extensive workload, these attributes are common for short-term rental cleaning companies. The problem is that they can create circumstances that result in accidents or damage to your property. Even though this happens only once in a blue moon, it happens.

In such a case, if the Airbnb cleaning service does not have insurance, the liability can fall on your shoulders as well. On the other hand, when you choose a cleaning company having proper insurance, including the worker’s compensation, you don’t need to worry about yourself or Airbnb coverage.

8. Communication

It is not always possible for the hosts to be on-site during the turnaround.

How can you then keep track of things?

Undoubtedly, you cannot pester your guests again and again regarding updates. The only other way is to contact your Airbnb cleaning company. That is why communication from the cleaning company is critical. We suggest trying to get ahold of the cleaner themselves and have the company as a backup.

Checking the communication skills of any cleaning company is quite easy. You can contact them through different mediums to test their response times. It will automatically help you gauge the effectiveness of the communication.

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Final Thoughts

So, choosing a cleaning company is not a luxury but a necessity.

Up until now, if you were confused regarding how to choose one? We have it sorted for you.

You can use our 8 step checklist above to shortlist the best Airbnb cleaning service. It will help you choose the right cleaning company between hundreds of options and make the task of managing your short-term rental unit easier.

9 Tips On Taking Great Airbnb Photos

Amazing photography tips are the thing that will attract a prospect to a listing while searching for properties for rent. When the photography is done flawlessly, each Airbnb photo will be a powerful compelling tool that will gather the attention of the guests to your listing.

Listings that have better photos will enhance the potential to book more entries and appear top in search results. The photos will highlight your listings and you need them picture-perfect. That is the reason Airbnb photography is essential.

If you take a closer look at the Airbnb listings you will see damaging photographs that will not get a booking. Don’t be one of them. Here are some effective photo tips that will engage more guests and fetch you more bookings.

1. Try To Highlight The Best Features

When you take photos of a vacation rental, you must showcase the room’s features. For example, make a fire before shooting if there is a fireplace. If you have a hot tub, turn on the jets and take off the cover. Be very precise to show the biggest benefits of staying in that place. Highlight the property whether there is a closet stuffed with books or a spectacular view of the lake. It is very important to take photos of the sleeping area to avoid queries regarding the same. Take photographs highlighting every perk of staying there.

2. For Better Photography Use Tripod

If you need more details in the photos, you need a tripod. Using a tripod will yield sharper images with more details. You can use a self-timer to avoid pressing the shutter button manually which can shake the camera. Mount the camera on the tripod and use a low exposure for better quality and a lean aperture for a sharp image. An ideal combination will be to set the camera on aperture mode at f/8 and the lowest exposure setting that your camera has.

3. Raise The Curtains And Turn All The Lights

Having more lighting will make your photo look professional. Remember when shooting for Airbnb listing, open all the blinds to allow natural sunlight in the room. Do not hesitate to turn the lights on even if it’s daytime. The lights will eliminate the dark corners and the guests will have a clear picture of what the place has to offer.

This is particularly necessary while taking images of the kitchen or the bathroom as there will be an absence of natural light. It will help the guests to see the tidiness of the property as well. Showcasing a dark interior is not a good strategy unless there is a demand for the Bat Cave!

4. Avoid Ultra-Wide Lens or a Camera With Low Resolution

If you possess a DSLR camera than its fine or else you can rent or consider buying one. Smartphone cameras can be handy but Airbnb recommends to use photos with a resolution of 1024 pixels wide or more.

It is suggested not to use a wide-angle lens because they will capture the whole room and make some straight lines appear to curve giving a false indication that the walls are bowing in. Using a high-end precision wide-angle lens will be the solution to your problem.

5. Use at Least 25 Pictures in The Listings

By publishing more pictures the visitors will get a clear idea of the place that they will rent. Properties with more photographs show up high in the search engines. It is suggested to use 25 photos of the property.

The first 5 images must highlight the best features of the house. Then you may use 2 to 3 photos of each room. Be sure to keep the toilet seats down and hang some fresh towels. Make the bed nicely. Clean up every room and remove anything that might be a hindrance before photographing.

Your listing should contain an image of the outside which will help the guests to locate the property.

6. Make Use of Props

Small props can highlight the experience of staying in a place. Staging the place with few props will help the guests to imagine what a nice place that would be for staying. This will give them an idea about things they can do in this space.

For example, you can show an opened laptop with a mouse beside a desk or at a table to let the visitors know that this place is suitable for working also. Or take a photograph of a chair and a cup of tea placed next to a table with a bookshelf around. This will give the impression of how the place might be comfortable for reading books and to relax peacefully. You can set the dining table with dishware to make the guests feel like the place is family-oriented.

7. Shooting From Corner

Take photographs from the corner of a room instead of taking them against the wall. This will give the guests a different view of the place and help them to get an idea of the size of the room.

Take a landscape image of the room at a waist level so that the room might appear to be spacious. Capturing all the corners will give the guests a 360-degree view of the room. To get more details if the room in a single shot, you must set the camera to landscape mode. Portrait mode won’t help.

8. Take Photographs of Extra Facilities Available

You can include images of extra amenities if you offer them in your listings. For example, a ping pong table, or a crib, or a closet filled with board games. While you list those things make sure to quote the extra charges incurred for using them for a smooth transaction between you and the guests.

9. Take Outdoor Photos

It’s worth taking photos of your property from outside. People love to see their neighbors and get excited about the place they are staying in. Be sure to take some shots of the nearby restaurant or the lake that is only a few steps away from the backyard.

The first hour of the sunlight and the last hour is probably the best time to capture outdoor images.

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Conclusion

So it can be concluded that beautiful pictures can stand out from the crowd and help your listings get more bookings. Your photos can further be verified from Airbnb and that will make you favorable among the potential guests.

Top 5 Best Airbnb First Aid Kits That Every Listing Should Include

Most of the hosts think about the comfort of the guests. What about their safety? The comfort is essential, but it is necessary to keep your unit safe as well. The preliminary way to do so is to equip your Airbnb home with a first-aid kit.

Any guest that travels from a different country will want to explore and try new things. This could result in an accident from the unknown territory or allergic reaction from trying new foods. Having an Airbnb first-aid kit can resolve some of these situations fast.

The question is, which first-aid kit should you use?

We will not only solve this problem for you but also help you understand why you should equip your unit with a first aid kit and what are the factors to consider while buying one.

Why Would You Need A First Aid Kit In Your Airbnb?

There are many advantages of equipping your Airbnb unit with a first-aid kit. These include:

Furthermore, when you add a first aid kit to your Airbnb, you are able to check off “first-aid kit” under home safety which adds an additional search filter to your listing.

How Do You Decide On A First Aid Kit?

There are a few factors to keep in mind while comparing different first-aid kits. These include:

Once you look at these factors, it becomes easy to choose the kit. We will now go into the details of the five best first-aid kits which you can use.

Our Top 5 Recommendations For Airbnb First Aid Kits

1. DeftGet First Aid Kit

What makes this first-aid kit suitable for your Airbnb unit?

The answer is, it is one of the most comprehensive first aid kits that you can choose. It consists of 163 different pieces. Furthermore, it comes with a carrying case that makes it store in your Airbnb unit easily. It is FDA approved which ensures that you can buy this first-aid kit with complete confidence.

It consists of all the essentials like bandages, emergency blankets, essential medicines, cotton sticks, and even emergency equipment. So, nothing is left to chance when opting for this first-aid kit.

Features:

2. Mini First Aid Kit,92 Pieces Small First Aid Kit

Are you looking for an even more compact Airbnb first aid kit?

If yes, this 92 pieces first-aid kit will serve your needs. In addition to the essentials, it consists of things like emergency foil blanket, scissors, CPR facemask. So; it is suitable for use in any situation as well.

The USP of this first-aid kit is very lightweight at 0.35 lbs. That is why; storing and handling it is easy. Furthermore, it comes with a guide for making navigation simple. The best selling point is its compact size and lightweight.

Features:

3. M2 BASICS 150 Piece First Aid Kit w/Compact Bag

One thing which you will instantly notice when you look at this first-aid kit is its compact size. Would you believe if I told you it consists of 150 different pieces?

Yes, that is the main USP of this first-aid kit. In spite of the compact size, it consists of 150 pieces. It is suitable not just for minor wounds and injuries but also for medical emergencies.

Apart from the usual essentials, it consists of carabiners, sponges, medical tape roll, emergency blankets, and other such gear. It is suitable for not just your guests but also for first responders. That is why, in case of an emergency, it can come in pretty handy for your guests.

Features:

4. Johnson & Johnson All-Purpose First Aid Kit

What are the chances of a first-aid kit being used in an Airbnb unit?

Yes, they are pretty slim. That is why; it is better to buy a first-aid kit that can stand the test of time. We are speaking about a first-aid kit that comes in a sturdy case. It is not just a pouch but a solid case.

When it comes to the contents inside, it consists of 140 different pieces. Some of the specialized equipment presented in this Airbnb first-aid kit includes antibiotic cream, gauze pads, rolled gauze, bandages, cleansing wipes.

The composition of this first-aid kit is great in emergencies but also includes everyday personal hygiene items. Due to this very reason, it will be beneficial for your guests in the Airbnb unit.

Features:

5. Be Smart Get Prepared 100 Piece First Aid Kit

Looking for a lightweight kit?

If yes, this one at 0.71 lbs is a perfect option. It measures 7.5” x 2.5” x 6.8”. For smaller Airbnb units this first-aid kit is ideal.

It consists of 100 different pieces which means that it is as versatile as a first-aid kit can get. It meets the FDA regulatory standards which ensure a quality product.

With the help of high-density plastic case, the first-aid kit can stand the test of time. Thus; there is no need to replace it anytime soon. It consists of additional items such as a cold compress, antiseptic wipes, antibiotic ointment. Since it consists of antiseptic wipes and antibiotic ointments, it can come in pretty handy for guests who are traveling from a different country and prone to accidents.

It comes with a guide which makes it easy for your guests to use it. The sturdy case, along with a guide makes it a good option.

Features:

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Final Thoughts

Your search for the best Airbnb first-aid kit ends here. With our list above, it will be easy to pick the right first-aid kit. You should not overlook the comfort or safety of your Airbnb guests.

With an Airbnb first aid kit, the guests will feel more secure knowing that help is within reach in case of any emergency. That is why these first aid kits above are imperative for your unit.

How To Make Your Airbnb Pet Friendly

How do you make your Airbnb pet friendly? Have you ever thought about allowing pets in your Airbnb unit? By not allowing pets, you are closing down your Airbnb unit for 68% of the US households and 46% of UK households. Did you know that?

These numbers are according to the American Pet Products Association and its UK counterpart. Simply put, pet owners like to travel along with their pets. If your rental unit does not permit the same, you’re losing out on a large number of guests. That is why; it is time to make your Airbnb pet friendly.

Once you make this decision, the next question which you would have is where to start?

Worry not! We will share with you a step-by-step procedure to make your unit pet-friendly. You need to follow the guide below to achieve the same.

1. Induce Clarity Into The Rules & Guidebook

Guidebooks have saved us in the past and we use them in all our listings now. Most hosts think that by just adding pet-friendly to the listing will get the work done.

However, it is not so. In addition to letting guests know that your property is pet-friendly, you need to add some rules to your listing. Some rules which you need to add are:

These are just some of the additional guidelines that you need to add to your listing. Thus, you will find it easier to recover damaged property or incidents if they occur.

2. Choose Airbnb Pet-Friendly Flooring

Sure enough, you would have to make some changes to your property, as well. The primary being the flooring. You have to choose a flooring type that is stain-resistant and scratch-resistant. Some of the options are:

If you already have one of these in your units, there is no need to change. Otherwise, you might have to opt for newer flooring.

Do not want to change the flooring?

You can go with a carpet or rug to cover the flooring. It will help you avoid most of the flooring problems in your unit.

3. Set Boundaries Using Child Gates

In spite of your best intentions, certain areas need to remain out of bounds for the pets. The question is, how can you pet-proof your unit in that case?

The best way to do so without spending a lot of money is to opt for child gates. You need to also add out of bound areas to your welcome kit or guidebook for the guests. Child gates are the most affordable way to pet-proof your property.

4. Ditch The Blinds

Before you start worrying about privacy, we are not asking you to take away the privacy of the guests. We are just asking you to go for affordable curtains rather than blinds. Blinds are expensive and more susceptible to chewing damage by dogs and other pets.

On the other hand, you can get affordable curtains, which are aesthetically pleasing, as well. These curtains can provide proper privacy to your guests without experiencing the same amount of chewing damage as blinds or shutters.

5. Go With Airbnb Pet Friendly Furniture Covers

This doesn’t include purchasing brand new furniture. Remember pets just like to sit on or be around your furniture. These include:

We understand that replacing these pieces of furniture might be expensive. Our solution has always been affordable pet friendly covers that are thick and sturdy.

You can easily buy sofa covers, comforter sets which are not just aesthetically pleasing but affordable as well. Even if they undergo wear and tear, replacing them is more affordable.

6. Do Not Forget To Stock Pet Supplies

If you want glowing reviews from pet owners, you need to be pretty generous with the pet supplies. In addition to snacks and supplies for pet owners, you need to stock your unit with pet supplies. These can include:

However, one precaution which you need to take is to ensure that all of them are hypoallergenic. It will ensure that you receive no complaints from the pet owners and get glowing reviews in return. Even add that into your guidebook as a courtesy.

7. Make Sure There Are No Loose Ends

You might be thinking, what do they exactly mean by the loose ends?

You need to ensure that any items which are dangerous for pets are out of their reach. These include cleaning solutions, detergents, and other such supplies.

Also, you need to keep electric cables and wires out of their reach. It is one of the primary steps that you need to undertake for pet-proofing your unit.

8. Do Not Shy From Charging An Airbnb Pet Fee

Lastly, in spite of your best efforts, wear and tear will increase in your unit once you allow pets. That is why, when modifying your listing to allow pets, you should include a pet fee.

It will help you cover the cost of pet supplies that you are stocking up on your unit. The quantum of the pet fee will be dependent on the price which you incur on following the above few steps.

These eight steps make it easy to get your unit ready for pets. However, before welcoming your guests, it is essential to find the answer to one crucial question. We will highlight it below.

How To Add An Airbnb Pet Fee

Airbnb doesn’t have a specific place for you to add an Airbnb pet fee. You can either add the price to your Airbnb cleaning fee or mention an extra charge for pets in your description.

How Much Should You Charge For An Airbnb Pet Fee

The average Airbnb pet fee is $20. This will cover the cost of pet supplies and the normal Airbnb damage that will occur over time.

Pro Tip: Remember if there is excess pet damage after a guest checks out then claim a report to Airbnb for a refund (pet fees are for standard cleaning/restocking). Always take pictures before any guest checks in especially if they travel with pets.

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Final Thoughts

So, if you want to increase your short-term rental earnings, it is time to make your Airbnb pet friendly. With the help of our step-by-step guide above, you can not only do so but also ensure that your maintenance cost does not increase significantly. You need to follow all the eight steps, and you can bump up your Airbnb earnings.

Airbnb photos are what guests will first see when searching for a place to stay. It is also what most people base booking off of. With better Airbnb photo tips you will decrease your vacancy rate and increase your profits.

What makes for a great Airbnb photo? In this article, we will explain what most hosts do wrong and guide you in the right direction.

Our Top 5 Mistakes New Airbnb Hosts Make:

1. Sticking To One Angle

Most new Airbnb hosts will use the same straight angle for all there listing pictures. When they decide to get a professional to take the pictures, they notice that different angles are used among various other things.

Experiment on different angles. Lying down on the floor and try the same picture, then step on something and take a picture up higher looking down.

With different angles, you can get a more creative looking Airbnb picture and increase your listings click-through rate which turns into more bookings.

2. Pay Attention To Lighting

Natural lighting is always the best. If you can, take a picture with your lights turned on but blinds closed. Next, take the exact same picture in the daytime with your indoor lights off and blinds open.

Lighting is the single most neglected aspect for new Airbnb hosts. The number of times you come across a listing and think they could do so much better with lighting is astounding. Don’t be one of those hosts.

3. Move Around While Taking Airbnb Photos

Keeping your feet planted in one spot can hinder your Airbnb photos. In order to get the best pictures for your Airbnb listings, you will have to move around to test what works best.

Afterward, you will be able to choose which pictures worked the best for your listing and set them up to attract guests.

Remember to move all directions. Horizontal, vertical, and left to right. Every direction counts.

4. Keeping a Steady Shot

If you don’t have sturdy hangs while holding a camera, then set your camera down on a table or better yet, use a tripod.

Tripods are great for getting stability in any picture that you wouldn’t normally have. Without a steady shot, your Airbnb picture will look blurry in some spots and out of focus.

No matter what, with your Airbnb pictures have stationary objects, use a solid table at the bare minimum and a tripod if you can get one. This will help you take sharper photos.

5. Clean Your Camera Lenses

Many amateurs will walk around with a dirty, smudged, or dusty lens. This will simply blur your Airbnb photos the fastest.

This happens most commonly with phone cameras. Everyone’s hands are on the camera lens creating smudge marks. Always clean the camera lens before taking any Airbnb photos.

How do you clean your camera lens? Use a microfiber cloth and lens cleaning solution. If you have anyone in the family with glasses then their solution and a microfiber cloth will work.

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Final Thoughts

Single-handedly your Airbnb pictures are the most important part of your listing. By following our Airbnb photo tips you will improve your listings click-through rate and bookings. Enjoy and happy hosting.