You have a great vacation rental. You know video outperforms photos. And now you’re wondering: can you actually add a video to your Airbnb listing? The short answer is no. The good news is that there’s an approach that works far better than an Airbnb listing video ever would.
What Airbnb actually says about listing videos
Airbnb does not currently allow standard video uploads in listings. Hosts can add photos, a description and an address, but there is no option to upload an MP4 file or embed a YouTube link in a listing. Airbnb occasionally tests new features in limited markets, but a broad rollout of listing video is not yet available to most hosts.
The same applies to Booking.com. Standard video in listings is not available for most properties on that platform either.
Airbnb doesn’t support video uploads in listings. But that’s exactly your opportunity to do something different from everyone else.
Why you still need a property video as an Airbnb host
Look at the search results on Airbnb in your area. Almost every listing looks the same: twelve photos, a description, a price. That’s the playing field you’re competing on.
But there’s another playing field that most hosts aren’t on yet: social media. Travellers increasingly browse Instagram and Facebook before they even open a booking platform. They scroll through Reels, get inspired by beautiful locations and follow accounts of farmhouses, beach cottages and design apartments.
A host who shows up there with a compelling video has an enormous advantage. Because when that guest does search on Airbnb, they’ve already seen your property and remembered it.
Where to use your property video instead
Your video won’t go in the Airbnb listing. But these three channels deliver more impact than a listing video ever could:
Instagram Reels
Instagram Reels generate organic reach. That means your video gets shown to people who don’t follow you yet, if the video is strong and people watch it. A 20-second Reel of your vacation rental can reach thousands of potential guests who would never have clicked on your Airbnb listing.
Quick tip
Post your video on a Thursday or Friday morning, when people start thinking about their next weekend trip or summer holiday. Add a location tag and use popular travel hashtags relevant to your area.
Your direct booking website
Do you have your own website, or are you considering one? A video on your direct booking page is one of the most powerful conversion tools available to hosts. Visitors who watch a video stay on the page three times longer on average, are less likely to bounce and book more often. Directly, without paying Airbnb’s commission.
Facebook and paid ads
Want to actively reach new guests beyond your existing network? Video ads on Facebook and Instagram are the most effective paid advertising tool for vacation rental hosts. You can target by region, age and interests. The cost per booking via video ads is consistently lower than photo ads, often significantly so.
An Airbnb listing video doesn’t exist yet. A video for Instagram, your website and ads does. And it works better than a listing video ever would.
Want to learn more about using video for your vacation rental? Read our complete guide to vacation rental video.