Lesson: Writing the Short/Feature Description
Module 7: OwnerRez - Description and Photos
The Airbnb short description is the 500-character summary under your photos, and most guests only see the first few lines before tapping "Show more". It should lead with your rarest, most desirable features in plain, checkable terms, skip fluffy adjectives and labels like "perfect for families", and leave assumed basics and capacity details for The Space section.
What this lesson covers
- Why the short description matters
- How the 500 Characters Behave on Screen
- Why the First Line Does Most of the Work
- Rule 1: No fluff
- Rule 2: Never set expectations
- Rule 3: Never tell guests who they are
- Rule 4: Prioritise ruthlessly
- Rule 5: Don’t sell the region over your property
- Rule 6: Real features only
- The renovation trap
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
How long can an Airbnb listing description be?
The main listing description is capped at 500 characters. On most devices only the first six to eight lines show before guests tap Show more.
Should I use emojis in my Airbnb description?
Used sparingly they can make features easier to scan, for example one at the start of each line. Emojis can count as more than one character, so leave some room under the limit.
What should I leave out of my Airbnb short description?
Leave out basics guests already assume at your price point, vague words like luxury or stunning, and drive-time selling of the region. Those details are better placed in The Space or Neighbourhood sections.
Watch a free lesson
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