Google Vacation Rentals has been around for quite some time now. It was started in 2019 to make it easier for online travel agencies to establish themselves in the market. Google usually shows up high-quality results based on how good something is. Basically, an organic result is what you get.
When travel agencies are listed on Google, potential guests feel a sense of satisfaction when booking vacation rental properties online. If you own a vacation rental company and are not sure how to list your company on Google vacation rentals, we’re sure this guide will help you!
What is Google Vacation Rentals?
Google Vacation Rentals is a metasearch product and an extension of the Google Travel platform that allows travelers to find and book vacation rental properties directly through Google Search, Google Maps, and the dedicated tab under the Google Travel category.
It’s a platform that helps travelers plan their trips and search for flights, hotels, and vacation rentals. Google Vacation Rentals works similarly to other travel metasearch engines like HomeToGo or Kayak. It’s a great way for property owners to reach a wider audience and get more bookings.
Benefits of Listing on Google Vacation Rentals
While Google vacation rentals may seem like an OTA (Online Travel Agency), it is not! The platform does not entertain any direct bookings. So, how does Google vacation rentals work?
When a traveler looks for vacation rentals or short-term rental properties on Google search, Google shows a number of properties listed. When they click on any chosen property, they are sent to a direct booking website connected to Google Vacation Rentals.
Basically, with Google vacation rentals, you don’t have to go to different websites to compare the prices, features, and services; instead, you’ll get everything on the same page. This will make it easier for you to plan your trip and do your bookings seamlessly.
For example, let’s say you are looking to book accommodation in Oahu; you’ll write “Vacation rentals in Oahu” on the search engine. You’ll then get a list of Google vacation rental listings from which you can book your perfect stay.
Now, why should you even think about listing your hotels when you already have a fully functioning website? There are several benefits of listing vacation rentals on Google Vacation Rentals.
- Firstly, you get increased global exposure to potential guests who use Google search to plan their trip and stay.
- Listing your vacation rental properties on private pages will force you to give them some commission. Through Google vacation rentals, you’ll get commission-free direct bookings, as Google will direct the traffic to your website.
- You’ll get improved visibility and credibility for your vacation rental properties.
- You’ll get the chance to promote your independent vacation rental brand and reach new traffic sources.
- When your properties show up on Google, it helps people trust your business and know it’s the genuine option.
How to Get Listed on Google Vacation Rentals
Wondering how to list your properties on Google vacation rentals? Here are some easy steps in which you can do that:
#1- Use an OTA
Even if you have a website of your own, it’s good to partner with a reputed OTA. Google lets you link up with various OTAs like Airbnb or TripAdvisor. If you’re already listed on any of the OTAs, search engine crawlers may have already indexed it, which could be great for you. Although you’ll have to pay some commission to these platforms, it’s actually very helpful in getting your name out there.
#2- List with large property management companies
The next option to get yourself listed on Google Vacation Rentals is to list your vacation rental site with a large property management company. Listings that are handled by these companies also show up on Google vacation rental listings. Some options are OneFineStay, Avanstay, and Vacasa.
#3- Direct listing on Google
If you don’t want to connect with any OTAs, you can also directly list your vacation rentals on Google. The only requirement is that you must have 500 or more properties.
#4- Connect with a connectivity partner
You can also reach out to any Google-Approved Connectivity Partners like Midway Vacations, where you can connect your preferred listings on Google vacation rentals. They will take care of the one-time setup for you. Apart from that, they’ll also help you with:
- Tech contact that Google can reach when needed.
- Sign a contract with Google to protect customer privacy.
- Provide email support or an easy-to-use self-service option.
Does Google My Business Work the Same as Google Vacation Rentals
Google My Business has been around for ages and lets most businesses set up a free listing. However, this does not include vacation rentals. So, if we look at it, they are totally different from Google Vacation Rentals.
Google My Business can work for you and be beneficial for your business if you have a physical office where the guests can visit. In this case, you can easily create a Google My Business profile for free. Register your business under a property management company or vacation rental agency. Doing this will help your business to appear on Google Maps.
Remember, this won’t get your business featured on Google Vacation Rentals, but it will surely help you get more visibility online if a traveler searches your business online.
Traffic to Direct Booking from Google Vacation Rentals
If you own a direct booking website, we cannot guarantee that Google will pick it up, as they don’t usually include single vacation rental sites. However, there are some chances that your direct booking website will get good traffic only if you’re using a prominent property management company or have integrated with Google’s approved partners.
You should also keep in mind that some channel managers don’t let you send travelers directly to your website. Instead, your property gets listed under their URL, not yours. However, with established OTAs and Google Travel being the top choices for interested travelers, direct bookings won’t get you much profit.
Reach Out to Midway Vacations For the Best Reach
Even when you list your property on Google Vacation Rentals, it still won’t guarantee that your website will be shown to travelers. There are many factors behind the visibility of your properties online, and therefore, to enhance it, you will need professional property managers to help you out.
At Midway Vacations, we have a team of professional channel managers who will help you complete your one-time tasks and keep the bookings coming to your website. You can easily build a vacation rental website and link it to Google Vacation Rentals while benefiting from the smooth operations and seamless connectivity of a property management platform.
Your bookings will significantly increase due to the streamlined booking experience your potential guests will have, making your business profitable.
FAQs
How do I search for vacation rentals on Google?
To search for vacation rentals, simply type your destination followed by “vacation rentals” in the Google search bar (e.g., “Hawaii vacation rentals”). You can also search directly within Google Travel by navigating to the Vacation Rentals tab.
Can I book a vacation rental directly on Google?
No, Google doesn’t process bookings directly. Instead, it displays vacation rental listings from third-party providers. When you select a rental, Google will redirect you to the partner’s website to complete the booking process.
Are vacation rental prices on Google inclusive of taxes and fees?
The prices shown may or may not include additional taxes and fees. Always check the final breakdown of costs on the vacation rental provider’s website before completing your booking.
Conclusion
Google Vacation Rentals is a fantastic way for property owners and hosts to boost their visibility and attract more guests. By using this platform, you can reach a wider audience and promote your rental brand to people actively looking for places to stay. Making it easy for guests to book will not only enhance their experience but also help you increase your profits. If you want to get the most out of your vacation rentals, please reach out to us for the best team to work for you!
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