What Are Vacation Rentals on Google?
Vacation Rentals are short-term rental properties (apartments, villas, houses) that can appear in Google Search results, Google Maps, and Google Travel.
Google allows property owners and managers to list their rentals with prices, photos, and availability, offering travelers direct access to the booking page without charging commission.
Main Benefits
| Benefit | What it means |
|---|---|
| Increased visibility | Properties appear on Google Search, Maps, and Google Travel. |
| No commission | Bookings are directed to your own website. |
| Full control | You manage pricing, policies, and direct communication with guests. |
| Brand recognition | Ability to group multiple properties under one brand. |
| User-friendly experience | Travelers benefit from filters, maps, and easy comparisons. |
Listing Requirements
Eligibility
- The property must be an entire unit (not just a single room).
- A valid address and accurate geolocation are required.
- Prices and availability must be kept up to date in real time.
Photo Requirements
Photo quality and quantity are crucial for approval and attractiveness of the listing.
| Criteria | Google Requirement |
|---|---|
| Minimum photos | 5 (fewer photos will cause rejection) |
| Recommended | 8+ (bedrooms, bathroom, living room) |
| Ideal | 20+ photos for maximum performance |
| Resolution | ≥ 1920×1080 px |
| File size | Up to 10 MB |
| File types | JPG, JPEG, PNG, WEBP |
| Orientation | Landscape |
Property Catalog (List Feed)
The catalog submitted to Google must include:
- Property name
- Address & geographic coordinates
- Booking page link
- Photo URLs
- Description and amenities
Steps to Get Listed
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1. Submit interest | Fill in the Google interest form. |
| 2. Submit catalog | Send an XML feed with property details, availability, prices, and photos. |
| 3. Verification | Google validates pricing, availability, and data quality. |
| 4. Listing goes live | Once approved, properties appear in Search, Maps, and Travel. |
Common Issues & Considerations
- Price mismatches: Listings may be rejected if prices differ between Google and the booking page.
- Poor photo quality: Reduces appeal and can block approval.
- Incomplete information: Full details (address, amenities) are mandatory.
- Approval time: The process may take several weeks before going live.
Conclusion
Listing your vacation rentals on Google is a powerful opportunity for property owners and managers who want to boost direct bookings without intermediaries or commissions.
With the right preparation (photos, descriptions, updated pricing), you can fully leverage Google’s reach to attract more travelers and strengthen your brand.
Learn more: Google Support
