If you’re a short-term rental host on Airbnb, you’ve likely heard of the coveted Guest Favorite badge. This badge improves the visibility of your listing and gives browsing guests the confidence that your property is among the best.
But what exactly is the Guest Favorite badge, and what can you do to earn it? More importantly, how can Host Tools streamline your efforts to consistently deliver an exceptional guest experience? Let’s break it down.
Host Tools provides an automated, unified calendar for short-term rental hosts, allowing you to seamlessly list on all major channels. Start your free trial today!
What Is the Guest Favorite Badge?
The Guest Favorite badge is a recognition from Airbnb for listings that consistently deliver amazing guest experiences. It’s awarded based on criteria like positive guest reviews, high ratings, and a track record of excellent hospitality.
Listings with this badge are more likely to stand out in search results, building trust with travelers and ultimately leading to more bookings. Note that this is different from the coveted Superhost status, and both the Guest Favorite badge and Superhost badge will appear on your listing.
Why Does the Guest Favorite Badge Matter?
Standing out in a crowded marketplace like Airbnb can be challenging. The Guest Favorite badge not only sets your listing apart but also increases its credibility. When guests see this badge, they know your property is tried and tested by previous travelers, making them more inclined to book.
Higher confidence in your listing can lead to higher occupancy rates and even allow you to charge premium rates compared to competitors without the badge. Not only does it boost your visibility, but having this badge can also foster loyalty from repeat guests who trust your ability to deliver exceptional stays every time.
Plus, you’ll rank higher in guests’ search results. Some guests even specifically search for the guest favorite badge in search results.
How to Earn the Guest Favorite Badge
Similar to the Superhost criteria, achieving the Guest Favorite badge requires effort and attention to detail. Here are some steps you can take to get there:
Consistently earn 5-star ratings
Excellent reviews are essential. This includes spotless cleanliness, accurate listings, great communication, and thoughtful touches that make the guest’s stay memorable.
With vacation rental management software like Host Tools, you can automate personalized messaging to maintain stellar communication with your guests from the moment they inquire to the day they check out. You must earn an average of 4.9-star reviews to be considered for the Guest Favorite badge.
Deliver an outstanding guest experience
Small gestures like welcome gifts, local guidebooks, and quick responses to questions or concerns can go a long way. Using Host Tools, you can set up automatic reminders or updates for your cleaning team to ensure the property is perfect before every check-in.
Maintain accurate listings
Guests value honesty and transparency. Ensure your listing photos, amenities, and descriptions accurately represent your property. Host Tools can help you manage your listings across platforms, ensuring consistency and keeping everything updated with minimal effort.
Monitor and respond to reviews
Responding to guest feedback, whether positive or negative, shows that you care about their experience. Host Tools allows you to automate review follow-ups and even send guests “thank you” messages for submitting reviews—a key way to build relationships and encourage guests to leave great ratings.
Be responsive
Quick responses to guest inquiries make a great first impression, while delays can cause frustration. With Host Tools’ automated messaging feature, you can respond to guests instantly, even if you’re unavailable, ensuring no message goes unanswered. Be sure to check out our AI auto-reply feature that can automatically respond to guest messages regarding booking confirmations, inquiries, and requests.
Keep a low host cancellation rate
Hosts with the Guest Favorite badge must keep their cancellation rate at an average of 1% or less. This also includes keeping the Airbnb customer service involvement rate below 1%.
How Host Tools Can Help You Stay on Top
Earning and keeping the Guest Favorite badge may seem daunting, but with the right tools, you can make it much simpler. Host Tools offers a suite of automation solutions that empower you to run your short-term rental business more efficiently. Some key features include:
Automated guest messaging
Save time while maintaining top-notch host communication with guests before, during, and after their stay.
Smart pricing management
Stay competitive in your pricing without undercutting yourself, ensuring your listing page remains attractive to high-quality guests.
Cleaning reminders
Automatically send reminders to your cleaning crew to maintain pristine conditions.
Calendar syncing
Manage your listings across Airbnb and other platforms seamlessly to reduce errors and avoid double bookings.
By utilizing Host Tools, you can focus on elevating the guest experience while streamlining day-to-day operations. This means fewer manual tasks and more 5-star guest reviews, bringing you closer to that Guest Favorite feature.
Final Thoughts
Different from a Superhost badge, the Airbnb Guest Favorite badge is a powerful way to boost the visibility and credibility of your rental property. By focusing on delivering exceptional hospitality, staying responsive, and keeping your property in top shape, you can earn this recognition and, in turn, enjoy a greater stream of bookings.
With Host Tools, you’ll have everything you need to optimize your hosting experience, impress your guests, and achieve status as a guest favorite effortlessly. Get started with Host Tools today and take your hosting game to the next level!
Host Tools provides an automated, unified calendar for short-term rental hosts, allowing you to seamlessly list on all major channels. Start your free trial today!
