Most travelers use Expedia to plan their trips and vacations. On the other hand, if you run a hotel, villa, or cabin in the countryside, visibility on Expedia is critical for attracting customers. Expedia uses a sophisticated algorithm to determine the order in which options are presented to users during a search.
The algorithms determine which hotels, airlines, and services are shown to the customers. In this guide, we look into Expedia’s algorithms and their implications on travelers and service providers.
The Power of Algorithms
Expedia’s algorithms are built to optimize user experience while considering all of the relevant factors. The factors include reviews, location, booking history, price, and real-world market conditions.
The algorithms continuously learn and adapt as users interact with Expedia’s app or website. The app collects personal information via cookies, with your consent, for analytics. The data can be used for many things, including curating personalized ads for holiday destinations.
Customer Reviews and Satisfaction
Anyone who has worked in the service industry knows that reviews are king. Most travelers, backpackers, and digital nomads rely on reviews when looking for hotels, flights, car rentals, or cruises. Positive reviews can enhance a provider’s visibility, showing potential customers that the service is reliable and satisfying.
Expedia values customer feedback and uses it as a metric when recommending services. This approach ensures that customers get the best while pushing providers to maintain high standards for better visibility on the platform.
Also worth noting is the Expedia cancellation policy. It is stricter than what you will see on other apps but protects hosts and airlines from getting low visibility due to customer cancellations.
Price and Competitiveness
One of the crucial factors that influence visibility is pricing. Most travelers are open with their budget but won’t mind a discount. On the other hand, service providers are keen about making profits and retaining clients.
Behind the scenes, Expedia’s algorithms take into account the competitiveness of a provider’s pricing compared to other similar options. Service providers offering discounts or pocket-friendly packages may get more visibility.
The focus on pricing is to keep the business competitive while giving customers good value for their money.
Impact on Visibility for Service Providers
Visibility on Expedia is crucial for any service provider in the travel and tour industry. As mentioned, the algorithm will take all of the relevant factors into account when ranking suitable search results.
Users can also use the filter feature to narrow their search to what’s most relevant. There is also a sort-by feature, allowing customers to arrange results based on star ratings, reviews, prices, and recommendations.
The goal at Expedia is to ensure that competition is fair and that customers get quality service within their budget.
Wrapping Up
Expedia’s algorithms are dynamic, moving with the market trends and user behavior to ensure service is top-notch. With new service providers registering daily, the platform also has to ensure fair competition.
However, one challenge service providers face is the emphasis on price can sometimes lead to a race to the bottom. Often, travelers prefer the cheapest, potentially impacting the visibility of expensive providers with better ratings.
