Google Vacation Rentals: How It Works, Why Rankings Matter, and How to Improve Yours

A traveler is sitting on their couch, coffee in hand, casually typing into Google:

“Vacation rentals in Tahow with a pool.”

They’re not on Airbnb.

They’re not on Vrbo.

They’re not loyal to any brand yet.

They’re just searching.

And this exact moment (before any OTA ever enters the picture) is where Google Vacation Rentals shines.

For property managers, this channel isn’t just “nice to have.” It’s quickly becoming one of the most important ways to win visibility, direct bookings, and long-term brand growth.

First Things First: What Is Google Vacation Rentals?

Google Vacation Rentals is not an OTA.

It doesn’t take bookings. It doesn’t own the guest relationship. And it doesn’t charge commission like Airbnb or Vrbo.

Instead, Google Vacation Rentals is a metasearch experience that shows vacation rental listings directly inside:

• Google Search

• Google Maps

• Google Travel

When travelers search for places to stay, Google pulls real-time listings from approved property managers and displays them right where travelers already are.

When someone clicks your listing, Google sends them directly to your website or booking engine to complete the reservation.

Think of Google as the world’s biggest storefront window, and Google Vacation Rentals puts your properties right in it.

Why This Channel Matters More Than Ever

Here’s the big picture:

• Google processes billions of travel-related searches every month

• Most travelers start their planning on Google not OTAs

• Travelers trust Google results by default

That means Google Vacation Rentals places your properties at the very beginning of the guest journey, before they’ve chosen a platform, brand, or booking site.

Instead of fighting for attention inside an OTA… You’re showing up before the OTA decision even happens. That’s powerful.

How Google Vacation Rentals Actually Works 

From the guest’s point of view, it’s incredibly simple.

They search something like:

“Beachfront vacation rentals in San Diego”

Google shows a Vacation Rentals section where travelers can:

• View photos and descriptions

• Compare prices and availability

• Filter by amenities, dates, and number of guests

• Read reviews

• See exact locations on a map

When they’re ready to book, Google doesn’t process the payment.

Instead, it sends them to your direct booking site (or your connected platform).

From your side, this means:

• No guest ownership issues

• No platform interference

• No commission taken by Google

You stay in control.

The Biggest Benefits for Property Managers

1. Massive Visibility (Without Being Locked Into an OTA)

Google isn’t a niche audience, it’s everyone.

From casual planners to seasoned travelers, Google reaches people who may never open Airbnb or Vrbo at all. When your listings appear in organic search results, Maps, and Travel, you’re instantly visible to a global audience.

You’re no longer relying solely on OTA traffic, you’re tapping into raw demand.

2. Lower Costs, Higher Margins

Google doesn’t charge booking fees.

Instead of paying 15–20% commission to an OTA, guests are sent directly to your booking engine. That alone can dramatically improve profitability, especially at scale.

Many property managers use this savings to:

• Offer more competitive pricing

• Invest in marketing and brand growth

• Improve the guest experience

3. More Direct Bookings (And More Control)

Google Vacation Rentals is built to support direct booking strategies.

You control:

• Pricing

• Policies

• Guest communication

• Branding

No surprise rule changes. No algorithm dependency. No competing listings shown at checkout.

And the more guests book directly, the easier it becomes to build loyalty, repeat stays, and long-term value.

4. Seamless Integration With the Google Ecosystem

This is where Google really flexes.

Your listings can appear:

• In Google Search results

• On Google Maps when travelers explore neighborhoods

• Inside Google Travel itineraries

Guests can save your property, compare dates, and return later, sometimes without even leaving Google.

Fewer clicks. Less friction. Higher conversion.

Google Vacation Rentals vs Traditional OTAs
(Quick Comparison)

Who Can List on Google Vacation Rentals?

Google Vacation Rentals is designed for professional operators, not casual hosts.

It works best for:

• Property managers with multiple listings

• Professionally managed, full-unit rentals

• Businesses using a PMS or channel manager

• Direct booking websites

Currently, Google does not support:

• Shared or partial-home listings

• Private primary residences

• Peer-to-peer or single-room rentals

• Informal or subleased properties

If you’re operating like a real hospitality business, you’re exactly who Google wants.

Where Do Listings Appear?

Your vacation rentals can show up across three major Google products:

1. Google Search – when travelers search destinations or stays

2. Google Maps – when users explore areas visually

3. Google Travel – Google’s trip-planning hub

This multi-surface exposure is what makes the channel so effective.

How Long Does It Take to Go Live?

Once connected through an approved partner or PMS, listings typically appear within a few days to a couple of weeks.

To speed things up:

• Make sure pricing and availability are accurate

• Upload high-quality photos

• Complete all property details

Once live, your listings are continuously updated and synced—no manual maintenance required.

How Google Actually Ranks Vacation Rentals
(And Why Your Website Is the Deciding Factor)

Getting listed on Google Vacation Rentals is only step one.

What many property managers don’t realize is this: Google does not rank listings randomly.

It prioritizes listings based on trust, relevance, and user experience, and your direct booking website plays a central role in all three.

Because Google Vacation Rentals sends travelers directly to your site, Google evaluates your website the same way it evaluates any other business in search.

If your site signals quality, relevance, and professionalism, Google rewards you with better visibility.

If it doesn’t, your listings get buried, no matter how great the property is.

Here’s exactly what Google prioritizes, and how to optimize for it.

1. Optimize Your Website for Google Search
(SEO That Actually Converts)

Google Vacation Rentals pulls strength from your broader web presence.

That means your direct booking site should be optimized with:

• Location-based keywords like “vacation rentals in [destination]”

• Intent-driven phrases like “book direct [destination]”

• Clear page structure for individual properties and destinations

Publishing destination guides, local recommendations, and travel content helps Google understand your authority in a market, and helps travelers feel confident booking with you.

2. Build Trust With Domain Authority (Google Cares Who Vouches for You)

Google ranks businesses it trusts,and trust is built through authority.

That means:

• Backlinks from local tourism sites

• Partnerships with local businesses

• Press mentions, interviews, and guest blog content

The stronger your domain authority, the more likely Google is to surface your listings higher in results.

A professionally branded website makes those partnerships possible. It’s much easier to earn backlinks and credibility when your site looks established and legitimate.

3. Write Descriptions That Sell the Experience
(Not Just the Space)

Google Vacation Rentals shows your descriptions front and center. Dry, generic copy won’t cut it.

High-performing descriptions:

• Focus on benefits, not just features

• Use sensory language to help guests imagine the stay

• Highlight what makes the location and property special

Your website should reinforce that same storytelling, creating a seamless experience from Google search to checkout.

4. Use High-Quality Visuals (Because Google Is Visual First)

Photos heavily influence both click-through rates and conversion.

Make sure you showcase:

• Bright, professional images of interiors

• Outdoor spaces and views

• Nearby attractions and neighborhood highlights

Your website should load these images quickly and present them beautifully, especially on mobile.

5. Reviews Matter More Than You Think

Guest reviews influence:

• Traveler trust

• Click-through rates

• Google’s perception of your listing quality

Actively improving review scores can directly impact how your listings perform on Google Vacation Rentals.

Your website should clearly display reviews and reinforce credibility at every step of the booking flow.

Why Your Direct Booking Site Is the Real Competitive Advantage

Here’s the reality: Google Vacation Rentals doesn’t convert bookings.

Your website does.

Property managers who win on Google are the ones who pair:

• Strong listing visibility

• Professional branding

• Fast, seamless, trustworthy booking experiences

That’s why having a generic or outdated website is one of the biggest hidden growth blockers in the industry.

Most property managers don’t lose rankings because of bad properties.

They lose rankings because their website doesn’t meet Google’s expectations.

Wander Sites solves that, fast.

With Wander Sites, property managers get:

• A professional, fully customized direct booking website

• Built specifically for Google Vacation Rentals performance

• SEO-ready, mobile-first, fast-loading

• Designed to convert Google traffic into bookings

No agencies. No months-long builds. No patchwork solutions.

Your Google-ready, A-grade direct booking site starts here: www.wander.com/sites