Google Vacation Rentals, launched in 2019, provides a unique opportunity to reach millions of travelers looking for their next getaway.
Whether through Google Search or Maps, this tool integrates with OTAs and direct booking websites, offering property managers a way to stand out without relying entirely on commission-based platforms like Airbnb.
Why Use Google Vacation Rentals
With Google’s dominance in search engine traffic, listing your property on Google Vacation Rentals can significantly increase your visibility and direct bookings. In fact, 74% of vacation rental bookers say they are influenced by search engines during their research and booking process, compared to just 47% who rely on OTAs.
This shows that search engines like Google play a much larger role in shaping booking decisions, offering property managers a powerful way to reach guests earlier in their journey.
Key benefits include:
- Wider audience reach Google is often the first place people search for vacation accommodations, and its visibility makes it a critical tool for property managers.
- Direct Bookings, No Commission Unlike other platforms, Google doesn’t charge a commission for direct bookings. Property managers can link listings to their websites, driving traffic and saving on OTA fees.
- Integrated Search Experience Google offers amenities filters, price comparisons, and more, allowing travelers to find vacation rentals just like they would with hotels.
How Google Vacation Rentals Works
Google Vacation Rentals appears in multiple ways:
- Google Search: A vacation rentals widget shows available properties, linking to OTAs or direct websites.
- Google Maps: Travelers can search for rentals by location, viewing properties as pins on a map with prices and details.
- Google Travel: The dedicated travel platform lets users search for vacation rentals, filtering by price, amenities, and ratings, ensuring a user-friendly experience.
Steps to Get Listed
To list your properties on Google:
- Partner with a Channel Manager or PMS: Google doesn’t allow direct listing for vacation rentals, so you must connect through a partner like Vrbo or a Channel Manager or Property Management Software (PMS) like 365Villas that integrates with Google. This integration ensures your availability, pricing, and booking data are synced in real-time.
As of today, Airbnb has chosen not to integrate with Google Vacation Rentals, pursuing its own independent strategy. On the other hand, Vrbo (part of Expedia) has been an active partner with Google Vacation Rentals, meaning properties listed on Vrbo are automatically pulled into Google’s search results, giving them greater exposure.
By using a PMS like 365Villas, property managers can list directly on Google while bypassing OTAs like Airbnb and Vrbo when it comes to direct reservations, allowing them to avoid the high commission fees often associated with these platforms.
- Optimize Your Listing: Use high-quality photos and clear descriptions to attract potential guests. Keep information updated to maintain visibility.
- Direct Integration for Large Portfolios: If managing more than 5,000 properties, a direct integration with Google can help sync your data in real-time.
Privacy and Data Security
With rising concerns about data privacy, many travelers worry about how their personal information is handled during bookings.
When guests book through Google Vacation Rentals, Google acts as a bridge, showing listings from OTAs and direct booking sites, but it does not handle the booking transaction itself.
Instead, once a guest selects a property, they are redirected to the property manager’s website or the OTA platform to complete the reservation.
This means that Google does not collect or store personal booking details like names, addresses, or payment information.
To further ensure guest privacy, working with a trusted vacation rental software provider is essential. When you use a provider that doesn’t share data with third parties, you add an extra layer of security for your guests.
This means their data is protected, and they can complete the transaction with confidence that their sensitive information remains private and secure—avoiding unnecessary exposure to multiple platforms.
Additionally, this allows you to maintain direct control over guest relationships and avoid the high commission fees charged by OTAs.
The Traveler’s Experience on Google
When users search for a vacation rental, they can view photos, descriptions, and amenities on Google’s platform. Price comparison tools help travelers choose the best deal.
Recent studies show that 70 percent of Google users searching for places to stay also consider vacation rentals. With the flexibility and value rentals offer, it’s becoming an increasingly attractive option.
Maximizing Success on Google Vacation Rentals
To make the most of Google Vacation Rentals, property managers should:
Leverage Google Reviews:
Positive guest reviews increase trust and are a key factor in booking decisions. In fact, 96% of users consider reading reviews essential when planning trips.
Encourage guests to leave reviews on your Google listing, as this boosts your property’s credibility and visibility.
Utilize Google Maps:
Ensure your property’s pin on Google Maps is accurate and up to date, as many travelers use this tool to explore the surrounding area and nearby amenities.
Inaccurate location information can lead to confusion, frustration, and even cancellations, as travelers may struggle to find your property or doubt its legitimacy.
Implement Smart Pricing:
Consider adopting dynamic pricing strategies that automatically adjust based on local demand, seasonality, and special events.
If you don’t have time to manage this manually, using a Property Management Software (PMS) that integrates with dynamic pricing tools like Pricelabs or Beyond can automate these adjustments, ensuring your prices remain competitive and maximize bookings.
Key Takeaways
Google Vacation Rentals offers property managers a powerful, commission-free platform to drive bookings and expand their reach.
Whether you’re managing a small portfolio or thousands of properties, this platform’s vast audience and integration with OTAs provide immense benefits.
As vacation rentals continue to rise in popularity, and searches for them grow steadily on Google, ensuring your properties are prominently visible on Google has become crucial for long-term success.
Plus, using a trusted vacation rental software provider can help ensure that your guests’ data remains secure, allowing you to build stronger relationships with them.
If you’d like to learn more about how 365Villas can help you get listed on Google Vacation Rentals and streamline your property management, book a demo with us today. Our team will walk you through the process and show how you can take full advantage of our software to increase direct bookings while saving on commissions.
