How to Guarantee a Five-Star Review that Will Boost Your Algorithm Rating

Land five-star reviews to boost your algorithm rating. Photo: Andrea Davis.

The success of your short-term rental largely relies on the feedback and ratings of your guests. Platforms like Airbnb and VRBO each offer their own review system, but ultimately online referrals are the key to long term success in the rental market. 

Not only do guests take into account your rating system, but so do the platforms itself. Airbnb and the likes all rely on an internal algorithm that predicts which properties are the best fit for guests and obviously, the algorithm tends to favor rentals with high ratings or even those with Superhost status. This is especially pertinent for those who own multiple units, as each property is tied to you as a host and therefore reflects on your algorithm score. 

So how can you set yourself up for success to land five-star reviews that will boost your algorithm rating? We’ve asked the experts for tried and true tips that will soar your property to Superhost status in no time. 

Ensure You Provide An Accurate Description 

While this may seem obvious, many hosts oversell their property thinking it will lead to more bookings. And while it might, it often just leads to disgruntled guests who were disappointed to find the description did not match the property. One of the most important tips is to be as honest as possible. Sometimes guests really are just looking for a basic hotel-style suite and don’t mind missing the frills, but they’d like to know that ahead of time. For tips crafting the perfect listing, read our recent article on how to write a winning Airbnb description.

Provide a Boutique Hotel Experience 

Treat your short-term rental as if it’s a boutique hotel to ensure 5-star ratings. Consider all the standout moments you’ve perhaps received at a hotel in the past and then implement those “wow” factors. A few tips, email your guests a few days before their arrival and ask if they have any questions or special requests. We also recommend sending them the link to your Folio guidebook before guests arrive, so they have time to familiarize themselves with the property. Finally, don’t forget to stock the house with high-end bath products, extra towels and pillows and perhaps maybe even a welcome bottle of wine from a local company. 

Splurge on Modern Amenities

It may be easy to skimp on some things guests may never use...but sometimes that Netflix account can really come in handy on a rainy day when guests are stuck inside. Just because an item is high value, doesn’t have to mean it’s expensive. Small things like stocking the coffee maker with fresh, local beans, providing high-speed wifi and maybe even a magazine subscription or two can be of small costs and high rewards (ahem, ratings!). 

Be a Guest in Your Own Home 

Before you unveil your property to the short-term market world, try spending a few days within your own home. Experiencing your own home as a guest may reveal any shortfalls or areas for improvement. Even inviting a few groups of friends or family to stay prior to opening the property to the world of bookings can lead to valuable insights to ensure you hit that five star rating. 

Write a Good House Manual 

The last thing in the world you want is for guests to be confused and bumbling around your home. Hosts who provide a detailed and professional house manual are far more likely to receive those desired five star ratings. Ensure you cover all the basics, check out some sample guidebooks from our Superhosts. It’s always a nice touch to mention must-sees in the area or local attractions to keep little ones busy. If you’re short on time or just not sure where to start, Folio creates personalized guides guests actually want to read AND makes it easy for your visitors to leave a rave review. 

While it can be a never-ending guessing game with Airbnb’s algorithm, if you follow these five simple tips, you’ll already be far ahead of the competition. Simply put, the more curated and thoughtful you make your guest’s experience, the more five-star reviews you’ll receive. And we all know what that means — one stellar algorithm score.