Lesson: Turning OTA Guests into Direct Guests – Within the Platform Rules
Module 13: Direct Bookings, Google Vacation Rentals & Marketing
Airbnb prohibits requesting payment off the platform, asking for or sharing contact details before booking, encouraging current, future or repeat bookings off Airbnb, and using guest details for marketing. Booking.com masks guest contact details and limits guest data to the booking. Hosts can still build a memorable brand, a Google Business Profile and their own channels so returning guests can choose to find them.
What this lesson covers
- Why This Lesson Matters: the Stakes
- The Principle: Their Guest, Their Channel; Your Brand, Your Channels
- What Airbnb Prohibits
- Requesting or taking payment off Airbnb
- Sharing or asking for contact details before booking
- Moving bookings off Airbnb
- Using guest contact details for marketing
- Reviews on other websites
- What Booking.com Prohibits
- Vrbo and Other Platforms
The full lesson is for clients
Clients get every step, the live walkthrough videos and our exact settings and templates from Skye’s Beach House.
Questions people ask
Can I give Airbnb guests my website for their next stay?
Airbnb’s Off-Platform Policy prohibits encouraging future or repeat bookings off Airbnb, including links in messages and discounts for booking elsewhere.
Can I ask an Airbnb guest for a Google review?
Airbnb’s policy prohibits asking guests to review their stay on a non-Airbnb website, so Google reviews are best requested from guests who booked direct.
What happens if a host breaks Airbnb’s off-platform rules?
Airbnb says repeated or severe violations can lead to suspension or permanent deactivation of listings or accounts.
Watch a free lesson
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▶Free lesson · IntroductionFree Lesson: How We Get Our Airbnb Guests’ Reviews onto Vrbo (OwnerRez)Vrbo won’t import your Airbnb reviews, but it does accept reviews that guests leave on your own OwnerRez review form. Ask every Airbnb guest to review…