The way guests find short-term rentals is changing — fast.
For years, ranking on Google was the gold standard. If your direct booking website showed up on the first page, you were winning. That’s still true, but it’s no longer the full picture.
Today, travelers are turning to AI assistants like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini to plan their trips. Instead of typing “beachfront vacation rental in Maui” into Google, they’re asking ChatGPT: “Can you recommend a beachfront rental in Maui for a family of six?”
And here’s the thing — the fundamentals that help you rank in traditional search are the same ones that help AI surface your properties. It all starts with how well your listings are described.
Why SEO Still Matters (More Than Ever)
SEO isn’t just about Google anymore. Search engines and AI assistants both rely on structured, well-written content to understand what your property offers and who it’s for.
When your direct booking website has clear, keyword-rich meta titles and descriptions, two things happen:
- Google ranks you higher in traditional search results
- AI assistants have better context about your properties, making them more likely to recommend your listings when guests ask
For short-term rental owners and managers, this is a massive opportunity. Most of your competitors are still focused entirely on OTA listings. A well-optimized direct booking website gives you an edge in both search and AI discovery.
What Are Meta Tags and Why Should You Care?
Meta tags are hidden pieces of information on each page of your website. They tell search engines and AI what your page is about. The three most important ones are:
- Meta Title — The clickable headline that appears in Google search results. This is often the first thing a potential guest sees.
- Meta Description — The short summary below the headline in search results. A compelling description can be the difference between a click and a scroll-past.
- Meta Image (Open Graph) — The preview image that appears when your page is shared on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, or in a text message.
Think of meta tags as your property’s elevator pitch to both search engines and AI. The more specific and descriptive they are, the better.
Generic Descriptions vs. Optimized Descriptions
Let’s look at an example. Say you have a beachfront condo in Destin, Florida.
Auto-generated meta description:
Beautiful 2-bedroom condo with ocean views. Fully equipped kitchen, pool access, and free parking. Book your stay today!
That’s fine — but it’s generic. It could describe thousands of rentals.
Optimized meta description:
Oceanfront 2BR condo in Destin, FL — steps from Henderson Beach. Sleeps 6, full kitchen, heated pool. Book direct and save on your next Gulf Coast family getaway.
The second version includes location, capacity, specific amenities, and a direct booking call-to-action. It gives Google and AI much more to work with when matching your property to a guest’s search or question.
How to Optimize Your Short-Term Rental Listings for AI and Search
Here are practical steps you can take today:
1. Write unique meta titles for each property
Avoid generic titles like “Beautiful Vacation Rental.” Instead, include:
- Property type (cabin, condo, villa, cottage)
- Location (city, neighborhood, landmark)
- A key differentiator (oceanfront, ski-in/ski-out, pet-friendly)
Keep it under 70 characters so it doesn’t get cut off in search results.
2. Craft compelling meta descriptions
You have 160 characters to convince someone to click — or to give AI enough context to recommend you. Include:
- Location and setting
- Guest capacity
- Top amenities or unique selling points
- A reason to book direct
3. Choose the right meta image
When someone shares your listing on social media, the meta image is what people see. Use a high-quality, landscape-oriented photo that shows off your property’s best feature — the view, the pool, the living space. First impressions matter.
4. Think about how guests ask AI for recommendations
AI assistants respond to natural language. When someone asks ChatGPT, “Where should I stay in Scottsdale for a golf trip?”, the AI searches for content that aligns with that intent. If your meta description mentions Scottsdale, golf, and proximity to courses, you’re in a much better position to be recommended.
Write your descriptions the way a guest would describe their ideal stay.
5. Keep your direct booking website content fresh
Both search engines and AI favor content that’s up to date and well-maintained. Regularly update your property descriptions, blog content, and meta tags to reflect seasonal offerings, new amenities, or local events.
Introducing SEO Meta Overrides in CraftedStays
We built CraftedStays to help short-term rental operators create high-performing direct booking websites. And we’ve always auto-generated SEO meta tags from your property details to give you a solid baseline.
But we know that one size doesn’t fit all — especially when it comes to SEO. That’s why we’re excited to introduce SEO Meta Overrides.
You can now customize the meta title, meta description, and meta image for each individual property on your direct booking website. Override one, two, or all three — or leave them blank to keep using the auto-generated defaults.
It’s the kind of control that helps you stand out, whether a guest finds you through a Google search, a ChatGPT recommendation, or a social media share.
The Bottom Line
The short-term rental industry is entering a new era of discovery. Guests are searching on Google, asking AI for recommendations, and clicking links shared on social media. Your direct booking website needs to be optimized for all of these channels.
It starts with the basics: clear, specific, well-written meta tags that tell both search engines and AI exactly what your property offers and who it’s for.
The operators who get this right now will have a significant advantage as AI-driven search continues to grow.
Your direct booking website should work as hard as you do. With CraftedStays, you get a purpose-built platform with SEO baked in — plus the flexibility to fine-tune every meta title, description, and image across your portfolio. See what CraftedStays can do for your properties →