So this is pretty uncool IMO

[Ken Boone]

So I went through a spell maybe 18 months ago, where several of my top producing 5 star cabins just stop booking, and never could figure out why other than perhaps an algorithm change.  I did see though, in organic searches for my cabins, that cabins that were new with worse rankings than mine were showing up way in front of my cabin.  

Anyway, I have an app for iPhones called the Pigeon Forge Pocket Guide that has tons of info for guests coming to the area  At the bottom I have a few ad spaces.  One my ads for a cabin rental was showing a 404 error when you clicked on it.  So I called them and they let me know they changed their website for their rental and forgot to tell me.  Anyway, I fixed that and went to verify one of the other ads for another cabin rental on the app.  

For this particular cabin rental it is a cabin with 165 five star reviews.  This ad takes me to his VRBO listing.  This is a 2400 sq ft 2 king suite cabin loaded with amenities including an indoor heated pool similar to one of mine.  I clicked the ad to check it and it takes me to his VRBO listing.  

Now when you are looking at VRBO organically, and are looking at a listing, after you scroll down aways it shows a section titled "Similar properties we recommend."  I get that, someone is looking on VRBO and just like everyone else who sells something, they want to make sure you find something you buy, so they throw up other options you might like.

Well in this case this is what they threw up:

I mean really?  A pool cabin at a crazy low price with only a 3.7 rating... Really???  This one doesn't even compare with this other cabin, nor should VRBO throw up recommendations for a 3.7 rating cabin on a listing for a 5 star cabin.   What gives???  If anything other actual similar cabins should have shown up on their recommendation.  I have 3 other cabins that compete with the cabin in this ad that are all 5 star cabins, and I am sure there are plenty of others, but instead VRBO chose a 3.7 star cabin to show as a recommendation.  I don't get it.

[Michael Baum]

Hey @Ken Boone. so it is just an algorithm so it is pulling "comps".

Maybe it has to do with the indoor pool? Is it super common there? I have read the forum for years, but I don't remember reading that most rentals had an indoor pool.

It could also have to do with that owner spending all those boost credits. I am guessing that the algorithm uses that metric to, well, boost the rating.

EDIT - Either way, I would trash that listing and start over. 3.7 stars? You have to really suck to get that kind of rating.