6 reasons holiday rental owners should refresh their listing photos in January

1. Improved search ranking and SEO performance

Search engines and booking platforms favour listings that feel current and relevant. Updating your photos sends a freshness signal to algorithms, helping improve visibility in search results.

Listings with strong imagery also tend to achieve better engagement, such as longer viewing time and more clicks, which further supports ranking performance. Research suggests that even a single high quality photo can have a similar impact on revenue as a long written description..

Refreshing your photos in January aligns your listing with peak planning season, when guests are searching for spring, summer and early autumn stays. Pair this with optimised descriptions and keywords for maximum SEO benefit.

2. Higher guest trust and engagement

Photos are often the first thing potential guests notice. Strong visuals help travellers imagine themselves in your space and quickly decide whether your property meets their needs.

Professional, up to date photos build trust by showing an accurate and well maintained home. Guests are more likely to engage with listings that feel honest and visually appealing, which increases enquiries and reduces hesitation. 

When you join Travelnest, you’ll receive access to your own dedicated Property Expert who can provide guidance on optimising your listing photos. 

3. Boosted conversion and booking performance

Updated photography has a direct impact on conversion. Studies consistently show that listings with professional images outperform those with low quality or outdated visuals, with some hosts earning up to 40% more in booking revenue.

When your gallery clearly highlights your property’s best features, guests are more likely to book rather than continue browsing. Combining refreshed images with Travelnest’s Smart pricing tools helps ensure your nightly rates reflect the quality and appeal shown in your listing.

4. Better representation of seasonal appeal

Seasonality plays a major role in booking decisions. A cosy winter living area or a bright summer garden can strongly influence guest interest depending on the time of year.

Refreshing your photos in January allows you to plan ahead, capturing imagery that suits upcoming seasons such as spring getaways and summer holidays. Travelnest’s property expert guidance for seasonal strategy can help you decide which features to highlight and when, ensuring your photos stay relevant throughout the year.

5. Showcase property improvements and upgrades

If you have made upgrades recently, such as new furniture, décor updates or renovations, your photos should reflect these changes. Visual proof of improvements reassures guests and can justify higher rates.

Updated imagery also allows you to measure the impact of changes more accurately. Using your management dashboard, you can track engagement and booking trends after refreshing your photos and refine your strategy accordingly.

6. Strengthen multi channel presence and direct bookings

Fresh, high quality photos improve performance across every platform where your property is listed. Consistent visuals help your listing stand out on Airbnb, Booking.com, Vrbo and beyond.

With Travelnest’s multi channel distribution and global exposure, your refreshed images work harder everywhere. They also support direct bookings, helping you attract guests without commission fees. Once booked, tools like the mobile app and guest messaging ensure a smooth and professional guest experience from enquiry to check in.

Conclusion

January is one of the most effective times to refresh your holiday rental photos. From improved SEO and higher rankings to stronger guest trust and better conversions, updated imagery sets your property up for a successful year ahead.

Combined with Travelnest’s tools and personalised support from our property experts, a photo refresh can be a simple but powerful step towards increased bookings and revenue.