Overview
Instant Booking allows guests to book a rental instantly without having to wait for the host’s approval. As a first-time host, turning on Instant Booking might feel a bit scary. The thought of strangers being able to book your rental without prior approval might lead you to keep that feature off. My advice? Please turn it on! Instant Booking is a great tool when set up correctly and directly impacts your rank and search placement on Airbnb.
The benefits of instant booking
Convenience for guests
Instant Booking offers convenience for guests, allowing them to book a rental quickly and easily without having to wait for the host’s approval. This is particularly useful for last-minute bookings, or for travelers who are on a tight schedule and need to book their accommodations quickly.
Higher conversion rate for hosts
Instant Booking can lead to a higher conversion rate for hosts. When a host offers this feature, it is more likely that potential guests will book their rental. This, combined with effective revenue management, can help ensure a steady stream of bookings and reduce the time that a rental is left vacant. Don’t miss my post about static and dynamic pricing.
Improved search visibility
Listings that offer Instant Booking are given priority in search results on Airbnb. This means that hosts who offer it are more likely to have their listing seen by potential guests, which can lead to more bookings and a higher occupancy rate. You’ll also get a designated filter in search results. As a traveler, I always use the Instant Book filter when looking for places.
Time-saving for hosts
It saves hosts time and reduces the amount of back-and-forth communication required to secure a booking. When a guest books instantly, the host does not need to approve the booking or engage in further communication unless necessary. Don’t forget to set up your scheduled messages to welcome your guest. You only get one first impression!
Downsides
The only downside I’ve experienced using Instant Book is that guests with no booking history may be unable to find your listing if your settings block guests without a good track record like in the image below. This may not be a downside if you only prefer to host people with positive feedback. The filter can easily be turned off if you’re open to any guests, regardless of their history on Airbnb.
Settings
When setting up Instant Booking, you can toggle a set of rules that must be met before the booker is allowed to proceed and finalize the reservation. After the first few reservations, you’ll feel more comfortable and appreciate the time savings from not needing to confirm each reservation manually.
- Only allow guests with previous positive feedback
- Guests must have a verified government-issued ID
- Guests must agree to your house rules
I normally have all three rules active to reduce the likelihood of having a bad guest experience. Guests without prior feedback can still request to book your listing, but you’ll need to approve it manually. Having a verified ID seems like a no-brainer and accepting your house rules provides a clear overview of your expectations for the guest.
Recap
Turn on Instant Booking and schedule your welcome message! It offers convenience for guests, higher booking conversion for hosts, and time-saving for everyone. Cheers to more reservations and happy guests.
