Where you list your short-term rental determines who books, how much they pay, and how often your calendar fills
Where Should I List My Short-Term Rental Property?
One of the biggest decisions for vacation rental owners is where to list their property. The platform you choose doesn’t just determine visibility, but directly impacts who books your home, how much they pay, and how often your calendar fills. In today’s competitive market, understanding the differences between Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, and other channels is essential for maximizing revenue.
Why Your Listing Platform Matters
Each short-term rental (STR) platform attracts different types of guests, dominates in specific markets, and performs best with certain property types. Relying on just one or two can mean missed revenue opportunities. Let’s break down the top platforms and explore why a multi channel strategy is the smartest move for owners in 2025.
Airbnb: Global Reach, Urban Strength
- Captures nearly 50% of global STR bookings.
- Strongest in urban markets, popular with younger travelers, solo stays, and weekend trips.
- Best suited for smaller units like studios, one-bedrooms, and design forward spaces.
Airbnb is often the “front door” of the STR world. If your property isn’t on Airbnb, you’re missing where most guests begin their search. But volume alone doesn’t guarantee the best fit for every type of property.
Vrbo: Families and Larger Homes
- Excels in vacation destinations like coastal towns, mountain escapes, and rural getaways.
- Dominates for 5+ bedroom homes, capturing 45% of coastal bookings in this segment.
- Caters to families and groups planning longer stays.
If your property is built for groups or extended vacations, Vrbo is a key platform. Guests expect space, privacy, and full-home amenities, making it ideal for family travel.
Booking.com: International & European Guests
- Holds around 40% of global bookings.
- Leads in Europe, attracting international travelers and hotel style stays.
- Best for properties with seamless check-ins, instant booking, and urban apartments.
Booking.com is especially valuable if you want to attract international guests. It’s a go-to platform in Europe, often outranking Airbnb in visibility across major cities.
Why Stopping at Three Isn’t Enough
While Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com dominate the headlines, they don’t cover the entire market. Each OTA has strengths, but no single one delivers every guest type. For example:
- Families searching Vrbo won’t always see Airbnb properties.
- International travelers on Booking.com may never check Vrbo.
- Airbnb’s city dominance doesn’t extend to luxury vacation rentals.
The Multi-Channel Advantage
At True North Property Management, we go beyond the big three. Our distribution strategy lists properties on up to 17 booking platforms including Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, Marriott Homes & Villas, Expedia, and niche OTAs.
This approach ensures:
- Maximum visibility across guest segments.
- Higher occupancy rates with fewer seasonal gaps.
- Diversified demand, so owners aren’t dependent on one platform’s algorithm.
Conclusion: Where Should You List?
The best platform for your property depends on its location, size, and guest type; but the most profitable strategy is to avoid putting all your eggs in one basket. Multi-channel distribution is the key to capturing demand in today’s crowded short-term rental market.
Next step: Want to know where your property should be listed to maximize bookings and revenue? Request a free property performance audit with our team today.
