Most short-stay property owners rely entirely on their listings on Airbnb, Booking.com or VRBO to get found. But there’s a free, powerful tool almost every traveller sees before they even search the OTAs: it’s a Google Business Profile. It’s your property’s shopfront on Google Maps and Search — and one of the best ads you’ll never have to pay for.

Two ways your Google Business Profile works for you

1. Broad search visibility

When someone Googles “accommodation in Kaiteriteri” or “holiday home near Abel Tasman”, Google often shows a map pack at the top of the results. A well-set up GBP gets you into that pack, complete with your photos, reviews, and booking link. It’s prime real estate where guests are choosing between options.

2. Name search dominance

Once a guest hears your name — through word of mouth, from your Airbnb listing, or from seeing you in the map results — they’ll often type it directly into Google.

👉 This is why having a memorable property name matters.

That’s when your GBP really shines: it appears on the right-hand side of search results (the knowledge panel) with your name, photos, reviews, directions, and booking link. It’s the perfect moment to capture them for a direct booking.

What you can show

• Photos and videos of your property
• Guest reviews that build trust
• A link directly to your booking site
• Your location and amenities
• Contact details: phone number and email address
• Regular updates and posts that appear in the Knowledge Panel

Setup in 10 minutes

• Sign up at Google Business Profile (yep, you can do it yourself – and it’s free)
• Claim and verify your listing
• Add your property details, photos, and booking link

Quick optimisation wins

• Upload 10+ bright, high-quality photos
• Use your property name consistently (important for repeat and referral searches)
• Add your booking site link (not just Airbnb!)
• Ask every happy guest for a review.
• Post seasonal updates or promotions so your panel always looks fresh

👉 The best part?
Google makes it free to create a profile. Bypass makes it effective. We’ll set up, optimise, and keep it working for you — included in every plan.