If you're a vacation rental host looking to stand out on VRBO and increase your bookings, it’s not just about having a great property—it’s about optimizing your listing to match how travelers search and book. The most successful hosts follow specific strategies that help them consistently outperform others in their market.

Here are 10 proven techniques to help you rise in search rankings, appeal to more guests, and increase your rental income.

1. Upgrade Your Amenities List

Amenities can make or break a booking. Guests often use filters to search for properties that include features like hot tubs, high-speed internet, baby gear, or beach access. If you haven’t checked off these boxes—even if you offer the amenities—you won’t show up in filtered results. Successful listings typically include 40+ amenities, so take time to review yours regularly.

2. Embrace Instant Booking

Today’s travelers want convenience. Enabling Instant Booking removes unnecessary friction and can drastically improve your booking rate. It gives guests immediate confirmation, while you still maintain control through screening tools like rental agreements or guest vetting forms.

3. Nail Your Pricing Strategy

Overpricing deters guests. Underpricing leaves money on the table. Analyze your competition, use dynamic pricing tools that adjust based on demand, and offer special discounts for weekly or monthly stays. Smart pricing is one of the fastest ways to improve both occupancy and profit.

4. Use High-Quality Photos to Tell a Story

Photos are the first thing potential guests notice. Listings with 35–50 clear, well-lit, professional-looking images consistently perform better. Showcase each room, highlight unique features, and don’t forget to include shots of the exterior and local attractions. Make guests feel what it’s like to stay at your property.

5. Promote Nearby Attractions and Experiences

Guests often choose a rental based on the local experience. Use the "Attractions," "Leisure," and "Outdoors" sections of your listing to highlight what's around you—whether it's hiking trails, wineries, family theme parks, golf courses, or water activities. The more vivid the picture you paint, the more compelling your listing becomes.

6. Offer Flexible Payment Options

Flexibility isn’t just about cancellations—it also applies to payments. Allowing guests to pay a deposit up front, instead of the full amount, can increase bookings—especially during slower seasons or for high-ticket stays. Many guests appreciate the option to budget for their trip.

7. Take Advantage of VRBO’s New Listing Boost

If your property is newly listed or hasn’t gained many reviews yet, activating the new listing promotion can help you break through. This feature temporarily highlights your rental with a “new listing” badge and often pairs with a discounted rate to attract early bookings—and valuable reviews.

8. Encourage and Automate Reviews

Positive guest reviews build trust and improve visibility. Automating the process—such as automatically leaving reviews for your guests—greatly increases the chances they’ll leave one for you in return. The more 5-star ratings you collect, the easier it is to win over new guests.

9. Rethink Your Cancellation Policy

Travelers appreciate flexibility, and rigid cancellation terms can lead them to book elsewhere. Listings with moderate or flexible policies typically convert better. If you're unsure what works best for your audience, consider testing different settings and tracking the results.

10. Specify Your Property’s Location Type

Is your property on a lake, in the mountains, or in a downtown hotspot? Many guests use filters to find the experience they want. If your location type isn’t set correctly, you’ll miss out on visibility in those filtered searches. Be accurate, but don’t leave this section blank.

With the right strategy, your VRBO listing can do more than just exist—it can thrive. Each of these 10 strategies offers a practical way to increase your bookings, improve guest satisfaction, and drive more revenue from your vacation rental. Start implementing a few at a time, monitor the results, and fine-tune your approach to stay ahead of the competition. These small changes can lead to big wins!