Vrbo in 2025: The Rules Are Changing—Here’s How to Win Anyway
Vrbo’s doing its own thing in 2025—and if you're listing the same way you did last year, you're already behind.
What’s Changing—And What Smart Hosts Are Doing About It
Guests are evolving. Platforms are shifting. AI is stepping in. Here's how to adapt—without burning out.
Vrbo is carving out a more specific niche in 2025—and if you're listing the same way you did last year, you're already behind.
The way guests book is changing. The platform’s AI is quietly reordering who gets seen. And while some hosts are playing catch-up, others are using tools (and strategies) that help them stay booked—with less work.
📌 In This Edition:
The 2025 shift in Vrbo’s core audience—and how to position your property to match
How solo travelers and pet parents are changing booking behavior
Why Vrbo’s AI investment affects your visibility (and what to do about it)
The AI tools that actually save time for hosts—and how to start using them today
What to track now so you can make smarter decisions (and train better tools) later
Smart questions to ask before buying any “AI-powered” product
How Vrbo Travel Is Changing
🧭 Vrbo’s Core Guest is Narrowing—in a Good Way
Vrbo is leaning into what it does best: sun, space, and longer family stays. Think beaches, lakes, parks, and seasonal escapes.
Why this matters:
If you’re in a vacation market, this is your lane. These guests aren’t looking for trend—they want comfort, space, and connection.
What to do:
Highlight kid-friendly and group-ready features
Emphasize seasons, not just dates
Make your listing feel like a getaway, not a transaction
💼 Platform Strategy: Customize by Channel
Not every OTA is created equal. And your strategy shouldn't be either.
On Vrbo, focus on:
Comfort > urgency
Seasonal appeal > event-based messaging
Family tone > buzzwords
Let Airbnb chase buzz. Let Vrbo own the “relax and recharge” niche.
📈 Solo Travel is Rising—And They Stay Longer
The average solo trip on Vrbo is now 17 nights. That’s huge.
How to tap in:
Market smaller units as remote work-friendly, safe, and quiet
Offer auto-discounts for 14+ night stays
Use AI tools to update your pricing and listings without spending hours
Why it works: These guests aren’t looking for luxury—they want calm, clarity, and consistency.
🐶 Pet-Friendly Travel Keeps Growing
Searches for pet-welcoming stays are up 30%, and these guests are loyal.
Simple ways to stand out:
Say it clearly: “We love furry guests!”
Mention features like yards, trails, or dog beds
Be transparent about pet policies and fees
Pro tip: Pet parents book early, pay well, and often return. Make them feel welcome.
🧠 Vrbo’s AI Push = New Rules for Visibility
Expedia is going all-in on AI. That means listings that match trends, seasons, and guest behavior are getting a boost.
What to do:
Use seasonal keywords and current tone (e.g., “Spring getaway,” “Fall family break”)
Update your listing captions, calendar, and availability often
Let tools like ChatGPT help you stay consistent without burning out
Bottom line: AI now plays a role in who gets seen. You don’t need to master it—just learn how to work with it.
🔄 Quick Wins: What to Do This Week
✅ Focus your Vrbo listing on space, calm, and seasonal value
✅ Add solo/studio appeal and longer stay discounts
✅ Clearly welcome pets—and promote relevant features
✅ Let AI help you automate repeat tasks
✅ Watch for platform updates (AI changes ranking rules frequently)
💡 Feeling overwhelmed by platform changes?
We help short-term rental owners optimize listings, explore the right AI tools, and build systems that run smoother.
👉 Book a free 30-min strategy call or reply to this email with your top challenge.
How AI Can Make Hosting Easier—Without Getting Techy
You don’t need to be an engineer to use AI tools. Most are built for busy hosts like you who just want to simplify daily work and grow without stress.
Here’s where to start small—and see big wins over time.
✍️ Let ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini Handle the Everyday Stuff
Use it to:
Write better, clearer listings
Reply to guest reviews in your tone
Say “no” nicely to unreasonable requests
Refresh outdated content or descriptions
Turn your best reviews into new marketing copy
🛠 Bonus tip: Paste in your favorite guest reviews and let ChatGPT mimic your brand voice.
🧰 AI Tools That Make a Real Difference
Guest Messaging & Reviews
Hospitable – Automate guest communication across platforms with AI-powered messaging. Learn more →
Yada.AI – Enhance guest engagement through AI-driven chatbots and upselling features. Explore Yada.AI →
Tidio – Streamline customer support with AI chatbots and live chat solutions. Discover Tidio →
Myma.ai – Optimize guest interactions with multi-channel AI chatbots tailored for hospitality. Visit Myma.ai →Shopify App StoreWordPress.org+3myma.ai+3Hotel Tech Report+3
Pricing & Booking Optimization
PriceLabs – Implement dynamic pricing strategies to maximize revenue. Get started with PriceLabs →
Wheelhouse – Leverage data-driven pricing tools for better booking rates. Check out Wheelhouse →
Aidaptive – Utilize predictive AI to personalize guest experiences and increase direct bookings. Learn about Aidaptive →PriceLabs+2Rental Scale-Up+2PriceLabs+2Hotel Tech Report+2Aidaptive+2yada.ai+2
Smart Property Management
Autohost – Enhance security with AI-powered guest screening and fraud detection. Explore Autohost →
Paraspot – Conduct remote property inspections using AI-guided tools. Discover Paraspot →
Lodgify – Build and manage your vacation rental website with integrated booking systems. Visit Lodgify →Jasper+29Hospitable.com+29Autohost+29rentmanager.com+2Paraspot+2Paraspot+2Lodgify+1Lodgify+1
Marketing & Content
Jasper – Create high-quality content, including blogs and social media posts, with AI assistance. Try Jasper →
ChatGPT – Generate SEO-friendly copy, respond to reviews, and craft guest messages effortlessly. Use ChatGPT →
Interior AI – Visualize and plan interior designs using AI-generated suggestions. Explore Interior AI →
By incorporating these tools, you can streamline operations, enhance guest experiences, and stay ahead in the competitive short-term rental market.
📊 Want Better AI Performance Later? Track This Now:
Start capturing:
Booking history
Guest messages + reviews
Website traffic (if you have a direct site)
Training docs, SOPs, or your brand voice guidelines
📍 Reminder: You don’t need perfect data—just usable data. And make sure it’s stored securely.
❗ Before You Pay for Any AI Tool, Ask:
Can I try it before I buy?
Can I use my own data inside it?
Does it use actual AI—or just automation?
Does the company know what they’re doing (check LinkedIn)?
Will this save me time or earn me more?
If the answer is “no” to that last one—walk away.k
📊 Start Collecting the Right Data Now
Want better AI performance later? Make sure you're saving:
Booking and pricing history
Review content and guest messages
Website analytics (track what people click and search)
Training docs, like onboarding manuals or SOPs
📍 Pro tip: Even “messy” data is useful—but always make sure it’s stored securely and legally.
💬 Need help choosing the right tools—or just want to talk strategy?
We can help you optimize listings, automate smarter, and grow without burning out.
👉 Book a quick strategy call or hit reply and say “Let’s go.”
💡 What This Prompt Helps You Do
Build a guest-focused listing strategy that aligns with what Vrbo actually cares about in 2025—like solo travelers, pet-friendly perks, and quick family getaways. Plus, you’ll learn how to use AI tools to simplify your pricing, messaging, and content updates.
By the end, you’ll walk away with:
✅ A plan that reflects current Vrbo trends
✅ Ready-to-use copy and pricing tactics
✅ Easy AI-powered wins that save time (no tech skills needed)
✍️ How to Use It
Step 1: Pick Your AI Tool
You can use any AI chat assistant. Here are a few options:
Step 2: Copy + Paste This Prompt Into Your AI Tool
I manage a [beach house / cabin / urban condo / lakefront home] listed on Vrbo. I want to update my listing and marketing to match what works best in 2025.
Please give me:
A 3-bullet summary of who my ideal guest types are based on current Vrbo trends
A short description of how I should adjust my pricing and calendar strategy (based on trends like solo travel, shorter stays, and pet-friendly demand)
Suggestions for how to rewrite my listing description using a tone that feels inviting, clear, and optimized for Vrbo’s AI algorithms
2–3 ideas for simple ways to use AI (like ChatGPT, PriceLabs, or chatbots) to save time on guest messaging, pricing, or review replies
Make the advice friendly, realistic, and helpful—even for someone who’s not super tech-savvy.
🔄 What You’ll Walk Away With
✅ A listing strategy that reflects Vrbo’s top guest patterns
✅ Pricing and calendar updates tailored to 2025 traveler behaviors
✅ Guest-facing copy that appeals to solo travelers, pet parents, and families
✅ AI-based time-savers you can start using today
💬 Let’s Hear From You
Tried this prompt?
Modified it to fit your property?
Got a new booking or time-saving win?
👇 Comment below and share what worked for you—or how you changed the prompt to make it your own. I’d love to hear your results and might feature your strategy in a future issue!
✉️ A Note From Me
Thanks for reading this week’s guide—I know there’s a lot shifting in the STR world right now. My goal is to make things feel a little more manageable (and maybe even exciting).
I’m testing these tools and prompts right alongside you and sharing what actually works—no fluff, just real wins.
Here’s to staying booked, staying sane, and building a business that works for you—not the other way around.
— Kay
P.S. Need help applying this to your listings?
Reply to this email or grab a free strategy session here. I’m always happy to help.