The differences in rankings between Rankbreeze and manual searches arise from variations in the search approach employed.
The following steps can be taken to replicate a Rankbreeze search:
Go to the Rankings Hub for any property in Rankbreeze.
Click on the blue city link in the Calendar Ranking Chart.
Open an incognito window to ensure a fresh search with no personalization.
This will start your search from the same top-level city search that Rankbreeze uses.
Rankbreeze then applies filters based on guest counts and date ranges and goes page by page to find your listing.
Note: If you adjust the map at all during the initial city search, this will change and affect your listing results & it won't match the searches Rankbreeze runs.
By following these steps, you can ensure that you are searching in a way that closely aligns with Rankbreeze's search flow.
1. Rankings are collected from the previous day. Manual searches are 24 hours ahead.
One crucial difference between Rankbreeze rankings and manual searches is the time frame of data collection. Rankbreeze displays rankings from the previous day, whereas a manual search is from the current day.
The data you see in Rankbreeze represents the previous day's rankings. The last dot on the Calendar Rankings Chart indicates the data collected on the previous day, giving you an overview & average of where your property was ranking for that specific day, from multiple check-in & check-out dates.
You'll also see a timestamp of when the rankings were collected in the Rankings Breakdown
2. Airbnb rankings adapt every second and are very very dynamic. More dynamic than you think.
Airbnb rankings are incredibly volatile and positions can swing within seconds. Several factors influence these constant fluctuations:
Cancellations: When guests cancel their reservations, it affects the ranking of properties & adds the supply back into search results.
Reservation date adjustments: Changes in reservation dates will remove or add back the availability of nights for properties & therefore the search results.
New properties coming online: The addition of new properties to the Airbnb platform can alter the rankings of existing listings.
Listing retargeting: Airbnb's algorithms may adjust rankings based on previous search behavior, such as wishlisting & recent search engagements. Often time this will move the listing to the first position & push other properties down.
Engagement factors: The level of interaction and interest shown by potential guests significantly influences rankings for a listing - particularly clicks, views & bookings.
A Real World Example
To illustrate the dynamic nature of Airbnb rankings in a real-world example, let's consider a search for Chicago from July 1 to July 3, accommodating four guests. If you were to run this search simultaneously from different computers and locations, you would notice slight & durastic variations in the search results.
We've found that results in the top 10 remain consistent, however further down the pages the variances grow.
For example, a listing might appear on page one for one computer and on page ten for another computer within a few seconds. Such rapid changes emphasize the need to understand the dynamic nature of Airbnb rankings. But many of the other properties will remain closer to each other.
Please see this listing: Listing
The Listing on page one for user: Page 1
The Listing on page ten for another user: Page 10
You can see that the listing in question appears on pages one & ten for another user quickly after for another user, but many of the other properties remain the closely ranking.
3. The Calendar Rankings line chart is an Average & should be relied on the most
The Calendar Rankings Line Chart in Rankbreeze shows an average of your property's rankings from the previous day.
This average provides a comprehensive view of where you show across multiple searches and openings in your calendar at different times of the day.
The Rankings Breakdown, also known as the Calendar Rankings Table, contributes to the metrics used to calculate the averages in the Rankings Line Chart.
Overall, here are two essential aspects to consider when interpreting your Rankings data:
- Each Rankbreeze search represents one "impression" & you can see the timestamps of those searches in the Rankings breakdown
- The Calendar Rankings Line Chart is an average of several searches or impressions & is your best path forward to monitoring ranking trends
Putting It All Together
To understand the impact of rankings on the booking process, let's take a closer look at the different stages of the Short Term Rental booking funnel:
Rankings: Determines the page on which your property appears during searches. Higher rankings increase visibility and the likelihood of attracting potential guests.
Impressions: Indicate how many people saw your property on the search result page. The more impressions you receive, the greater the exposure to potential guests.
Clicks: Represent the number of times people clicked on your listing when they found it in the search results. High click-through rates indicate strong appeal and interest in your property.
Views: Track the number of people who opened the full page of your listing. This metric provides insights into the level of engagement and interest generated by your property.
Listing engagement: Measures how many people wishlisted your property. Wishlisting indicates a strong desire to book your property.
Making a reservation: This stage signifies the number of people who successfully booked your property. It represents the conversion of interest into a confirmed reservation.
Guest experience: Encompasses their satisfaction before, during, and after their trip. Providing a positive experience encourages positive reviews and increases the likelihood of guest referrals and future bookings.
Guest review: Play a crucial role in shaping the reputation of your property. Ratings related to cleanliness, communication, check-in, accuracy, location, and value greatly influence the perception of potential guests.
Guest referral or rebooking: The ultimate testament to a great guest experience is whether guests return to your property or refer it to others. Positive referrals and rebookings contribute to the long-term success of your listing.
