If you're an Airbnb host looking to increase your booking potential, there’s a smart strategy you may not be using yet—the Parent-Child Listing Strategy (multiple Airbnb listings for one property).
This approach allows you to create multiple Airbnb listings for the same property, offering different booking options like an entire home, private room, or shared space. The goal? Attract more guest types, maximize occupancy, and boost your revenue.
Let’s break it down into simple, practical steps so you can start using this strategy today!
What is the Parent-Child Listing Strategy?
The Parent-Child Listing Strategy involves listing the same property in different ways to target different types of guests.
Parent Listing – The full rental option, such as the entire home or full apartment.
Child Listing(s) – Individual rooms or smaller sections of the property available for separate bookings.
Example:
A host owns a three-bedroom house with a private entrance and a guesthouse in the backyard.
Parent Listing: Entire three-bedroom home, ideal for families or groups.
Child Listing 1: Private bedroom with an ensuite bathroom, perfect for solo travelers.
Child Listing 2: Guesthouse only, great for couples or business travelers.
Each listing is separate, but they all share the same property. By offering multiple booking options, hosts increase visibility and attract a wider range of guests.
Why Use a Parent-Child Listing Strategy?
More Visibility = More Bookings
Each listing appears separately in Airbnb’s search results, increasing the chances that guests will find and book your property.
Attract Different Guest Types
Some guests prefer a private room to save money, while others need an entire home for more space. By catering to both, you fill more dates on your calendar.
Maximize Occupancy
If the entire home does not get booked, there is still an opportunity to rent out individual rooms and avoid vacancy.
Increase Revenue with Flexible Pricing
Listing rooms separately can allow for a more consistent income, especially in slower seasons when the entire home might not get booked.
Flexibility with Different Stay Lengths
With separate listings, you can set different minimum stays for different guest types. For example:
A weekend guest may book a single room for two nights.
A family on vacation may book the entire home for a week.
Who is the Parent-Child Listing Strategy Suitable For?
This strategy works well for hosts looking to increase their occupancy rates and attract different guest demographics. It is especially useful for:
Hosts with extra bedrooms – If you have multiple bedrooms, list them separately when the whole home is not booked.
Owners of guesthouses, basements, or separate suites – Maximize earnings by renting these spaces individually.
City and urban hosts – Some travelers prefer a single room for a short stay, while others need a full home for longer stays.
Hosts with seasonal demand – Adjust listings based on the time of year. Rent the entire home during peak season and individual rooms in slower months.
How to Set Up a Parent-Child Listing on Airbnb
Step 1: Decide on Your Listing Combinations
Think about how your space can be split into multiple rentable units.
Do you have extra bedrooms that can be locked and rented separately?
Is there a guesthouse, basement apartment, or in-law suite that could work as a private unit?
Can you offer a shared space experience for budget travelers?
Example: A Two-Bedroom Apartment
Parent Listing: Entire two-bedroom apartment
Child Listing 1: One private bedroom with shared living spaces
Child Listing 2: The second bedroom as a private stay
Step 2: Create Separate Listings on Airbnb
For each listing, make sure to:
Write unique titles and descriptions that highlight the differences between each rental option.
Adjust pricing based on value.
Use different photos that reflect what is available in each listing.
Specify access details. Clarify which areas are shared and which are private.
Step 3: Sync Your Calendars to Avoid Double-Bookings
Since all listings are part of the same property, it is crucial to sync calendars to prevent overlapping reservations.
Options for managing availability:
Use Airbnb’s built-in calendar sync to link the listings.
Use a property management system like Hostaway or Guesty to automatically sync calendars.
Manually block dates in one listing when another gets booked. (Be careful with this option!)
Example:
If a guest books the entire home, automatically block availability for the individual rooms.
Real-World Example: How a Host Increased Bookings by 35 Percent
A host in Austin owned a three-bedroom house near downtown. Initially, they only listed the entire house, but during off-seasons, they struggled with occupancy.
What they did:
Created two additional listings for individual bedrooms.
Synced their calendars to prevent double bookings.
Adjusted pricing to attract solo travelers in slower months.
The result:
Thirty-five percent more bookings
Higher overall revenue
Fewer vacant nights
Why the Parent-Child Listing Strategy May Not Be Suitable for You
While this strategy offers many benefits, it is not the right fit for every host.
Property Layout Constraints
If your property does not have separate areas that can be rented individually, this strategy may not work.
Privacy Concerns
Some guests prefer complete privacy. Renting out separate rooms might result in shared spaces, which could lead to discomfort.
Increased Management Complexity
Managing multiple listings requires more effort in terms of guest communication, check-ins, and cleaning coordination.
Regulatory Restrictions
Certain cities and homeowner associations restrict short-term rentals, and having multiple listings could lead to compliance issues.
Guest Experience Considerations
If you rent to multiple guests at once, their expectations need to be managed to avoid conflicts over shared spaces, noise, or amenities.
Final Thoughts: Is the Parent-Child Listing Strategy Right for You?
If your property has multiple rental possibilities, the Parent-Child Listing Strategy is an excellent way to:
Get more visibility on Airbnb
Attract different types of guests
Reduce vacancies by offering separate rooms when the full home is not booked
Increase overall revenue by filling gaps in occupancy
Want to optimize your Airbnb listing strategy? At Revolvio, we help hosts increase visibility, sync calendars, and maximize earnings.
Contact us today to get expert Airbnb listing support and revenue management.