Google Vacation Rentals FAQs
Updated
To connect to Google Vacation Rentals API, you will need to ensure that your listing follows the requirements below. Here, you can also view a list of FAQs relating to this channel.
Listing Content Requirements:
- Display Name is required
- Sleep Max must not be higher than 30
- Bedrooms must be at least 1
- Phone must be defined
- The address must be defined
- Description must be defined
- Location must be defined
- Base rate must be defined
- Checkin/out time needs to be defined
- A minimum of 8 total photos:
- at least 1 photo per room
- Minimum resolution: 1024 x 683 px. Recommended resolution: 2048 x 1366 px (Check Google’s Photo recommendations and best practices)
- The website must be published and accessible
- Website must have a favicon:
- Resolution of at least 72x72 pixels
- Square dimensions only
- No more than three text characters per icon
- PNG format
- Transparent or on a non-white background
- No alcohol, violence, or sexual content
- Must match the favicon or artwork on the advertiser’s final URL
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Google Vacation Rentals?
Google Vacation Rentals is a search engine feature from Google that helps users find and book vacation rental properties. It aggregates vacation rental listings from a variety of third-party sources, including property management companies, online travel agencies, and individual homeowners, and displays them in Google search results.
With Google Vacation Rentals, users can search for vacation rentals by location, dates, and other filters, such as price, number of bedrooms, and amenities. They can also view photos, read reviews, and compare prices from multiple sources. When they find a property they're interested in, they can click through to the booking site to complete their reservation. - Is there a limitation to the number of rentals you must have to connect? i.e minimum of 5 rentals?
There is no requirement for a minimum number of rentals to connect to Google Vacation Rentals. Even if a user has only one rental property, they can still list and connect it on the platform. - At what point will my newly added property appear on GVR?
Once you have connected and verified your vacation rental property, it should be displayed on the platform within 24 to 48 hours. However, this timeline may vary based on various factors, including the completeness and accuracy of your listing information and Google’s verification process.
It's important to note that the team working on improving the user experience on GVR and developing new features that will make it easier for users to manage and monitor their listings, we are developing a new feature that will allow users to see their properties’ review status directly in the listing user interface. This will provide users with more transparency and help them track the progress of their listing's approval process. Once this feature is launched, you will be able to easily monitor the status of your GVR listing review process from within your Webready account. - How do I find my property on GVR?
Currently, Google doesn't provide a direct method to view your accommodation on Google Vacation Rentals. However, you can search for "vacation rental in (your rental’s location)" on Google and use filters to narrow down the search results until you locate your property. This is the fastest way to locate your listing on GVR. - At what frequency will my calendars be refreshed?
The integration with Google Vacation Rentals is API-based, ensuring real-time synchronization of all your information. - What is the commission on bookings through GVR?
There are no costs or commissions charged to the user for connecting their rentals on Google Vacation Rentals. Google does not take any commission on bookings; instead, they redirect the guest to the rental property's landing page, which is hosted on your Webready website. Webready does not charge any commissions on bookings made through their platforms. - What will property managers have to do to view landing pages on Google Vacation Rentals?
Once the website is published without errors, your listings will be sent to the Hotel Center. The GVR team will review them and once they are made live on Google's end, guests will be able to book through Google. - What will users have to do to see error fixes on the GVR connection page?
Users have to publish the website again. Without publishing the website, errors won’t be seen as fixed. - How will guest payments be managed for the GVR channel?
GVR will just redirect guests to the linked Webready website for booking and payment will be managed the same way website payments are managed on those platforms. - Is it possible to add a Channel Adjustments for GVR?
Channel Adjustments will not be applied for GVR. As GVR redirects you to your Webready Website for booking, so the rates that are adjusted for Webready websites will be used.
Cancellation Policy
No Refund: No refund offered for any reason or timeframe.
Strict: Bookings canceled at least 60 days before the start of the stay will receive a full refund.
Firm: Bookings canceled at least 60 days before the start of the stay will receive a full refund. Bookings canceled at least 30 days before the start of the stay will receive a 50% refund.
Moderate: Bookings canceled at least 30 days before the start of the stay will receive a full refund. Bookings canceled at least 14 days before the start of the stay will receive a 50% refund.
Relaxed: Bookings canceled at least 14 days before the start of the stay will receive a full refund. Bookings canceled at least 7 days before the start of the stay will receive a 50% refund.
Linking Landing Page with Rental list on GVR
Once a Webready listing is set up for GVR, it needs to have a website linked with it for guests to book. The website is called the landing page in GVR. Your listings will be sent to the Hotel Center. The GVR team will review they and once they are made live on Google's end, guests will be able to book through Google.
For steps to connect to Google Vacation Rentals, please see this article.