The settings inside your Airbnb account may be quietly reducing visibility, slowing down bookings, and adding unnecessary friction for guests.

Most hosts assume declining bookings are caused by the algorithm, increased competition, or market conditions.

But sometimes the issue is much closer to home.

In this episode, Sarah and Annette share eight Airbnb settings that can directly impact your visibility, conversion rate, and booking performance. The common theme? Every setting either adds friction or removes it.

Turn These Off

Required Booking Messages
If guests have to send a message before booking, you’re adding an extra step between interest and reservation. The easier it is to book, the more likely guests are to follow through.

Extra Person Fees
Additional guest fees can make your listing look affordable in search results but expensive at checkout. Guests compare total costs, not just nightly rates.

Airbnb Smart Pricing
Smart Pricing is designed to help Airbnb fill nights. If your goal is maximizing revenue, a dedicated dynamic pricing tool typically gives you more control and better results.

Turn These On

Professional Hosting Tools
This dashboard helps you understand where guests are dropping off in your booking funnel so you can make informed decisions instead of guessing.

Instant Book
Many hosts avoid Instant Book out of fear of bad guests. Sarah and Annette argue that the lost bookings often outweigh the risk. Instant Book reduces friction and can improve search visibility.

Reduced Cleaning Fees for Short Stays
A small cleaning fee discount can help fill calendar gaps and make your property more competitive for shorter bookings.

Automatic Guest Reviews
Automating reviews saves time, keeps you active on the platform, and encourages guests to leave reviews for you.

Amenities and Safety Features
Make sure every applicable amenity and safety feature is checked. Missing information can send guests to a competing property.

Final Takeaway

Your Airbnb settings should never be “set it and forget it.”

Small adjustments can have a meaningful impact on bookings, visibility, and revenue. Set a recurring reminder to review your settings regularly and make sure they’re helping your business—not quietly working against it.

Download a transcript of this episode

Resources:

• #STRShareSunday @maison_winona

---

#STRShareSunday

@maison_winona

Today we’re highlighting Strategic Host Johanna Fisher of @maison_winona and her absolutely unforgettable Chicago stay, Maison Winona.

This is one of those properties where you can feel the intention immediately. Built in 1908 and designed by a contemporary of Frank Lloyd Wright, the home itself already tells a story—but Johanna takes it so much further.

She’s leaned all the way into it.

Think William Morris florals, jewel-tone velvets, Art Nouveau details—a layered, maximalist design that somehow still feels warm, inviting, and livable. Guests describe it as “a million artful details you could spend days exploring,” and that’s exactly the point. This isn’t a place you just pass through.

And then there’s the guest experience.

Every stay includes pre-stamped vintage postcards for each guest—a small but powerful touch that invites people to slow down and connect, just like they would have when the home was first built. That’s the kind of detail that turns a stay into a memory.

This is such a strong example of what happens when a Strategic Host fully commits to a vision—design, story, and guest experience all working together.

→ Explore Maison Winona: https://maisonwinona.com/

→ Follow along: @maison_winona