If you manage a vacation rental, you already know you need to stand out in a saturated market. Thousands of listings compete on platforms like Airbnb, Vrbo, and Google every single day. So how do you make sure your property shows up when travelers are searching? The answer lies in one of the most powerful tools in digital marketing: keywords for vacation rentals.

In this guide, we’ll break down how to find and use the best keywords for vacation rentals, where to place them, and how to use them strategically to boost visibility, attract the right guests, and increase your bookings.

Why Keywords for Vacation Rentals Matter

Every travel search starts with a question or phrase. Whether it’s “oceanfront condo in Destin” or “dog friendly cabin in Asheville,” travelers are using specific keywords to find the perfect stay.

By identifying and targeting the right keywords for your vacation rental, you position your property to show up in search engines like Google and booking platforms like Airbnb or Vrbo. The better your keyword strategy, the more likely your property is to appear in front of potential guests.

Without a strong keyword strategy, you are relying solely on luck to get noticed. And in today’s market, luck is not a strategy.

How to Find the Best Keywords for Vacation Rentals

1. Start with Your Guests’ Perspective

Think about how your ideal guest would search for a vacation rental. What details matter to them? Common examples include:

• “[City] vacation rental with pool”
• “Pet friendly cabin in [Region]”
• “Romantic mountain retreat [State]”
• “Affordable beach house near [Landmark]”

Make a list of descriptive phrases your target audience might type when looking for a place like yours.

2. Use Keyword Research Tools

Don’t just guess. Use data to guide your decisions. Several SEO tools can help you identify high traffic, low competition keywords. Try:

• Google Keyword Planner – A free tool within Google Ads
• Ubersuggest – Offers keyword suggestions, volume, and competition insights
• Ahrefs or SEMrush – Premium tools with deeper insights

Our guide to SEO Tools for Small Businesses provides even more options for property owners.

Look for keywords that have a solid monthly search volume and align closely with your property type, amenities, and location.

3. Focus on Long Tail Keywords

Long tail keywords are longer, more specific search phrases like “lakefront cabin with private dock in Vermont.” While they attract less search volume, they usually convert better because the searcher knows what they want and your property might be the exact match.

These keywords for vacation rentals help you reach high intent guests who are more likely to book.

Where to Use Your Vacation Rental Keywords

Once you’ve found your keywords, placing them in the right spots across your website and listings is key. Here’s where they should go:

Website Optimization

• Page titles – Include your main keyword near the beginning
• Meta descriptions – Use compelling copy with your keyword to improve click-through rates
• Headings (H1, H2, etc.) – Organize your content and add your target keywords
• Body text – Use keywords naturally throughout your homepage, about page, and property descriptions
• Image alt text – Describe your photos with relevant keywords for better image SEO

Listing Sites (Airbnb, Vrbo)

• Listing title – Highlight a main feature plus location (e.g., “Luxury Ski Chalet in Breckenridge”)
• Summary and description – Use variations of your keywords without overstuffing
• Amenities and tags – Match with popular search filters on these platforms

Combine SEO and Local Marketing

Location-based SEO is critical for vacation rentals. Travelers often include city names, neighborhoods, or local attractions in their search queries. Optimize for terms like:

• “Vacation rentals in [City]”
• “[Attraction] vacation rental”
• “Weekend stay near [Landmark]”

If your rental appeals to a niche audience such as hikers, skiers, or anglers, create content that speaks directly to them. For inspiration, check out our guide to marketing to outdoor enthusiasts to learn how to connect with guests looking for more than just a place to sleep.

Refresh Keywords With Seasonal Content

The keywords people use change throughout the year. Someone searching for “spring break rentals in Florida” will not be using the same terms as someone looking for “cozy winter cabin near ski slopes.”

Keep your content updated seasonally:

• Create blog posts or landing pages for major holidays and events
• Add seasonal deals and descriptions to your listing
• Use relevant keywords tied to the time of year, local happenings, or travel trends

Updating your website and listings with fresh, keyword rich content also signals to Google that your content is active and relevant.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Keyword stuffing – Repeating keywords unnaturally can hurt your SEO
• Ignoring user intent – Use keywords that match what your guests are actually looking for
• Skipping mobile optimization – Most travelers search on their phones, so your site should be mobile friendly
• Neglecting internal linking – Boost SEO with smart links to related content like our guide on seo for hotels

Real Results with Foundation Digital Strategies

Getting your vacation rental to the top of search results takes more than just a few good keywords. It takes strategy, consistency, and experience.

At Foundation Digital Strategies, we help vacation rental owners like you build a strong online presence that gets noticed. From keyword research to content writing and local SEO, we know how to get your property in front of the right people at the right time.

Whether you are just getting started or want to take your bookings to the next level, our team can help.

Final Thoughts: Make Your Rental Easy to Find

The right keywords for vacation rentals can be the difference between an empty calendar and a fully booked season. By understanding what your guests are searching for and using those terms strategically, you can boost your visibility, increase traffic to your listings, and convert more searches into stays.

Need help with SEO? Contact Foundation Digital Strategies today to start building a vacation rental marketing plan that works.