When guests search for a vacation rental, they're not just browsing through pages of listings; they're using filters to find exactly what they want. Whether it’s a pet-friendly cabin, a luxury villa with a hot tub, or a family-friendly beach house, filters help them quickly narrow down their choices. Selecting your amenities goes beyond just adding what you think people would like in your rental; it’s about ensuring your property doesn’t get “filtered out” when your target guest is searching.
In this guide, we’ll explain why filters are key on platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo and how providing the right combination of amenities can help you appear in the search results rather than get lost in the crowd.
Why Filters Matter on Airbnb and Vrbo
Filters are a powerful feature on vacation rental platforms, allowing guests to easily zero in on what matters most to them. On Airbnb and Vrbo, these filters can include everything from price and location to specific amenities like:
- Pools
- WiFi
- Air conditioning
- Pets
- TVs
- Kitchens
- And so much more!
To optimize your visibility, start by identifying your target guest. Who are you trying to attract, and what amenities matter most to them when choosing a vacation rental? Once you know that, think about which filters they’re likely to use during their search. For example, if you have a large riverfront home and your ideal guest is a family, consider adding a crib. That way, if someone filters for properties with a crib, your listing stays in the results instead of getting filtered out.
As a test case, let's take a look at Bear Valley, a riverfront cabin in Shenandoah, VA.
If you search for homes in Shenandoah for six people over an upcoming weekend, you'll see over 1,000 results. Now let’s start adding filters. Say you want a hot tub for evening dips after the kids are asleep, and a washer and dryer for doing laundry, you're still left with 936 options. Here’s where small amenities make a big difference. Imagine you're traveling with a baby and don’t want to haul a crib. Once you select the crib filter on Airbnb, the list drops to 494! Now add “waterfront,” and suddenly, you're down to just 86 places. And Bear Valley is right there at the top. This shows the power of filters.
The Must-Have Amenities
Here are the key filters that Airbnb and Vrbo guests frequently use and how offering the right amenities can increase your chances of being visible in those searches.
Pet-Friendly Filters (The Vrbo filter is "Pets Allowed" and Airbnb's is "Allows Pets")
Pets are often part of the family, and many guests are actively searching for places that allow their furry companions. Make sure to allow pets under the rules section in your listing, and highlight amenities like pet beds, food bowls, or a fenced-in yard. Check out our guide on Creating a Pet-Friendly Vacation Rental for some more helpful tips. If you're not pet-friendly, make it clear in your listing, as guests will appreciate knowing upfront. Look how easy it is to adjust your pet policy on OwnerRez. Once you hit save, your updated policy will automatically sync across Airbnb, Vrbo and any other connected listing sites.
Family Focused Filters (There are multiple Vrbo filters that could apply such as "children welcome," "washer," "dryer," "crib," and "high chair." The most relevant Airbnb filters are "washer," "dryer," and "crib.")
Families with children are often looking for a specific set of amenities when booking vacation rentals, like cribs, high chairs, washer and dryer, and play areas. If you cater to families, think through which amenities you could add to your rental in order to avoid being "filtered out." Adding one key amenity to your rental could make a substantial difference to your revenue.
Pool & Hot Tub Filters
These amenities are a huge draw for guests. If your property has a pool or hot tub, make sure it’s highlighted and that the listing is filled out correctly.
Air Conditioning Filter
Climate control is often a must-have for guests, particularly in areas with extreme temperatures. Make sure you have the "Air Conditioning" amenity checked off on your listing, so guests can filter based on their comfort preferences. If your area has fluctuating weather, guests may search specifically for places with these amenities and if that box isn't checked, your place won't be visible in the filtered search.
WiFi Filter
With remote work on the rise, fast WiFi is a deal-breaker for many guests. Be sure to mention the speed and reliability of your internet connection in your listing and check off the WiFi box. Airbnb will even allow you to perform a speed test through their app. If your speed is 50 Mbps or above, Airbnb will give you a “Fast WiFi” designation that will show up on your listing page. This can make a huge difference for remote workers deciding between places to stay. For more information on how to offer fast and secure WiFi in your rental, check out this in-depth guide.
Kitchen Filter
Guests often prefer the flexibility of cooking their own meals, and properties with fully equipped kitchens are more likely to be selected. Make sure that popular kitchen amenities like dishwashers, coffee makers, microwaves, and blenders are selected correctly.
Fireplace Filter
Many guests are drawn to cozy, relaxing stays. If your property has a fireplace, be sure to check the fireplace amenity box and emphasize it in your listing description. A fireplace can be a unique and attractive feature.
Accessibility Features
For guests with disabilities, having accessibility features can transform their stay. If your property is wheelchair accessible or includes things like handrails or step-free entrances, make sure to check the accessibility amenity boxes. This could open your listing up to a broader audience that specifically needs these accommodations.
Now let’s run the same test for Bear Valley, but this time on Vrbo. The initial search for six guests in Shenandoah over an upcoming weekend shows 300+ available listings. After applying filters for a hot tub, a crib, and a washer and dryer, the results drop to 126. Then, once we add the “waterfront” filter, we’re down to just 6 properties and Bear Valley is front and center. Once again, this highlights how the right combination of amenities can dramatically narrow the field and make a listing stand out.
What Happens If You Don't Use Filters Correctly?
If you don’t properly optimize your amenities for filters, you run the risk of getting filtered out of relevant searches. This means:
- Lower visibility: Even if your property is a great fit, guests may never see it in their search results.
- Fewer bookings: Missing amenities that keep you from being included in popular filters like “Pets Allowed/Allows Pets” or “WiFi” could result in missed bookings.
- Lost revenue: If your listing doesn’t show up in the right searches, you’ll struggle to increase occupancy rates and ADR (average daily rate).
For example, let’s say a guest is looking for a rental with Wi-Fi, a kitchen, and a fireplace in your market. If your property offers all these amenities, but isn’t marked correctly, you won’t appear in their search results, even though your property may have everything they’re looking for. Click here to see how easy it is to add or remove amenities across all of your listing sites in OwnerRez.
How to Make Sure Your Listing is Filter-Ready
To avoid getting filtered out of potential search results, follow these simple tips:
- Double-check your amenities list: Ensure you’re accurately listing all of the amenities your property offers, such as a pool, WiFi, hot tub, a crib, pet-friendliness, and more.
- Try to fit into every filter available: Both Airbnb and Vrbo offer numerous filters that can increase your listing’s visibility. Take advantage and tailor your amenities around all of the available filters to ensure your property shows up in as many search results as possible.
- Update regularly: Filters and search algorithms change over time. Make sure your listing stays up to date with the latest filters and amenities that are most relevant to your target market.
Managing Your Listing with Ease
Keeping your amenities updated across multiple properties and listing sites can feel like a lot to manage. OwnerRez simplifies this process by letting you control everything from one central dashboard. With powerful connections to all the major listing platforms, any updates you make, like adding a new amenity, automatically sync to Airbnb, Vrbo, and more. This keeps your listings accurate, consistent, and competitive without the hassle of logging in to each platform individually.
To make things even easier, OwnerRez includes a Listing Quality Analyzer that reviews your listings across all connected sites. It helps ensure your content is consistent and syncing correctly, so your properties are always ready to be found by the right guests.
Final Thoughts
Filters are a fundamental part of the search process on Airbnb and Vrbo. By offering the right amenities, you can increase your chances of showing up in relevant searches. So, when updating your listing, think about your target guests and which filters are most important to them. Don’t risk getting “filtered out." With the right approach, your property will not only appear in search results but will also stand out as the perfect place for guests to stay.
FAQs for Optimizing Your Vacation Rental Amenities
Q: Why do amenities and filters matter on Airbnb and Vrbo?
A: Filters help guests find exactly what they are looking for by narrowing search results based on amenities like WiFi, pet friendliness, pools, and cribs. If your listing does not have the right amenities marked, it may not show up in those filtered searches even if your property is a perfect match.
Q: What happens if I forget to mark certain amenities on my listing?
A: You risk getting filtered out of guest searches. For example, if a guest is searching for properties with a pool and yours has one but it is not selected, your listing will not appear in their filtered results. That means fewer views, bookings, and revenue.
Q: Which amenities are most important for visibility?
A: Some of the most commonly used filters include WiFi, pets, pool or hot tub, air conditioning, washer and dryer, and family friendly items like cribs or high chairs. Prioritize amenities that match the needs of your ideal guest.
Q: How do I know what my target guest is looking for?
A: Think about the type of traveler your property is best suited for such as families, remote workers, or pet owners. Then, select amenities that align with their priorities and the filters they may select when searching. This makes it easier for your ideal guest to find and book your property.
Q: Can updating one amenity really make a difference?
A: Yes. Even a single amenity like checking crib or pet friendly can keep your listing visible in filtered searches and lead to more bookings.
Q: How can I keep my amenities updated across multiple sites like Airbnb and Vrbo?
A: OwnerRez makes it easy. You can manage all your listings in one place, and any changes you make such as updating amenities automatically sync across all the major platforms like Airbnb, Vrbo, and more.
Q: What is the Listing Quality Analyzer in OwnerRez?
A: The Listing Quality Analyzer reviews your content across all connected channels to ensure your amenities and listing details are consistent and properly synced. It is a simple way to make sure your property is always optimized for visibility.
Q: How does OwnerRez help improve my listing's visibility?
A: OwnerRez gives you powerful tools to manage and optimize your listings from one place. With powerful connections to all the major platforms, built in quality checks, and centralized control over your amenities and content, OwnerRez helps you ensure your property shows up in the right searches and stays competitive across every site.
Q: How often should I review or update my amenities list?
A: It is smart to review your amenities regularly especially if you have made upgrades or changes to your property. Also, keep an eye out for new filters added by platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo so you do not miss any opportunities to show up in guest searches.