Instant Book (IB) allows potential guests to secure dates they wish to book without having to wait for hosts’ approval through Airbnb.
Guests love the convenience of booking instantly. The alternative is to "request to book", which can take 24 hours. Even then, there is no guarantee the booking will be confirmed.
Increased earning potential. Airbnb states that instant book properties “often get double the number of reservations".
Featured higher in search results. Listings without IB are often hidden from search results or shown at the very end.
An industry standard across all platforms. Guests expect to book instantly on whichever booking platform they are using, including Airbnb.
With IB you have complete control
It is a common misconception that IB poses an increased security risk. When applying Hometime’s strategy, hosts employ a higher degree of guest vetting. If after vetting, hosts are still uncomfortable, bookings can be cancelled penalty free.
Increased security through IB vetting settings
With IB, Hometime requires guests to verify their government ID with Airbnb. This reduces the risk of fraudulent accounts and invalid transactions. Guests who are blacklisted by Airbnb and other crime watchlists are also unable to book. Hosts can also choose to only allow IB from guests who have already received a positive review.
Extended vetting period without the search ranking penalties
IB provides hosts with more time to vet guests. Without IB, hosts have 24 hours before the booking request expires. This can limit the ability to perform adequate guest vetting, especially when the guest is unresponsive. Uncertainties result in either ignoring or declining a request, both reducing Search Engine Optimisation (SEO).
With IB, hosts can continue to vet the guest until check-in. Even if the host decides to cancel, penalties can be avoided.