This ONE Change Can Boost Your Airbnb Ranking

[Garrett Brown]

If your Airbnb listing isn’t getting clicks, it doesn’t matter how incredible your property is—no clicks mean no bookings. Airbnb operates as an interest-based algorithm, rewarding listings that grab attention and keep potential guests clicking. That’s why improving your Click-Through Rate (CTR) is one critical metric to focus on to boost your Airbnb profit and visibility.

The key to improving your CTR? Optimizing your listing photos for specific shots that perform highly and leveraging Airbnb AI to maximize visibility in top categories.

Why CTR Matters

CTR, or Click-Through Rate, measures the percentage of people who click on your listing after seeing it in search results. A higher CTR tells Airbnb’s algorithm your listing is engaging, which improves your ranking, increases visibility, and leads to more bookings.

With the rise of professional photography, simply having high-quality photos isn’t enough anymore. You need photos that stand out and align with the AI-driven algorithm prioritizing listings in popular categories.

The 5 Must-Have Photos for Airbnb Listings

I have tested hundreds of photos and analyzed which listings perform best. There are clear winners in types of photos that should be included in your listing, along with examples of listings I believe achieve this. You may need to guide or provide these types of photos as things you want your professional photographer to succeed. 

1. 1. Twilight/Sunset Shot
   
   • Why it works: Creates emotion and sets the mood.
   • How to nail it: Capture both ground-level and drone shots to showcase landscaping and lighting.
   • Example: This listing
2. 2. Structure and View Shot
   
   • Why it works: Highlights your property’s unique design and surrounding scenery.
   • How to nail it: Pair a ground-level shot with a drone perspective.
   • Example: This listing
3. 3. Upward Angle with Golden Hour Sun
   
   • Why it works: Adds drama and makes your property shine.
   • How to nail it: Capture the light hitting your property’s standout features.
   • Example: This listing
4. 4. String Light and Fire Pit Shot
   • Why it works: Creates a cozy, inviting vibe.
   • How to nail it: Shoot during twilight with props like chairs, blankets, or a fire roaring.
   • Example: This listing
5. 5. The Wow Shot
   • Why it works: Features the unique element that will catch guests’ attention.
   • How to nail it: Highlight a hot tub, pool, view, or quirky design feature.
   • Example: This listing

AI’s Role in Airbnb Rankings

Airbnb uses AI to analyze listings and prioritize them in categories like "Cabins," "Amazing Views," or "Play." The algorithm scans keywords in your listing description and even the alt text of your photos to determine relevance.

For example:

• A picture of a game room could land in the "Play" category if the photo’s alt text is labeled something like: “Amazing game room with ping pong and pool table.”
• A picture of a beautiful view of land with the alt text being “Beautiful view of the countryside”

Your photos can do more than look good—they can strategically get your listing into multiple categories by including targeted alt-text descriptions.

The more categories you rank in, the more visibility your listing gets, leading to more clicks and higher rankings in Airbnb search results.

Testing and Improving Your CTR

Once your photos are optimized, it’s time to test their impact. Use tools like:

Airbnb Analytics: Monitor impressions, clicks, and overall CTR.

IntelliHost: Analyze your listing for category placement and CTR improvements.

RankBreeze: Track your listing's performance and ranking changes.

You can also A/B test your photos by rotating lead images or running Meta Ads (Facebook/Instagram) or Google Ads to measure which photo drives the most engagement.

The Airbnb algorithm is continuously evolving and every host should pay attention as new features are rolled out. 

[Dennis Bragg]

Quote from @Garrett Brown:

If your Airbnb listing isn’t getting clicks, it doesn’t matter how incredible your property is—no clicks mean no bookings. Airbnb operates as an interest-based algorithm, rewarding listings that grab attention and keep potential guests clicking. That’s why improving your Click-Through Rate (CTR) is one critical metric to focus on to boost your Airbnb profit and visibility.

Hi @Garrett Brown

Thanks for sharing these insights.. CTR optimization is often overlooked, but it’s a game-changer! From what I read in The Economist, listings with updated, compelling photos tend to outperform others significantly. I’ve seen small tweaks make a huge difference in teh past. For example, one client in Chicago wasn’t getting traction until we updated their listing with a twilight shot of their patio featuring string lights and a fire pit. That single photo not only improved their CTR but also landed them in the “Cozy Getaways” category.

Here are a few extra ideas I’ve seen work well:

Seasonal Themes for Your Wow Shot
Highlighting your property’s standout feature while keeping it seasonally relevant works wonders. A San Diego host I know switched their lead photo between their pool and a cozy firepit setup depending on the time of year - it kept the listing fresh and boosted engagement year-round.

Capture Functional Luxury

Guests love spaces that solve problems while feeling high-end. Think: a coffee station stocked with local beans or a reading nook with plenty of natural light. A friend in Austin recently added a photo of their library wall, and suddenly they started attracting more “workcation” bookkings.

Tailor Your Alt Text to Travelers

Airbnb’s AI doesn’t just categorize listings - it also matches them with guest search intent. Instead of vague alt text like “Modern kitchen,” try something like “Chef’s kitchen perfect for group meals or private dinners.” This strategy helped a Phoenix investor rank higher in the “Group Stays” category.

A/B testing is another essential step. While analytics tools like RankBreeze and IntelliHost are great, I’ve found that even small tests.. like rotating photos or adjusting captions.. can reveal surprising trends.

Your approach to CTR optimization is spot-on, Garrett, and I’m excited to hear how these techniques work for you. Let us know how it goes!