In 2025, social media continues to be a game-changer for vacation rental owners. As the new year unfolds, fresh trends are transforming the way you reach potential guests. Whether you’re managing a single cozy cabin in the woods or a portfolio of beachfront villas, mastering social media can help you attract more bookings and build a loyal community of guests. In this guide, we’ll share our top tips to make your posts shine!

Social media trends for vacation rentals in 2025

1. The era of short-form video content

Video is still king in 2025, with TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts leading the charge. These platforms offer a prime opportunity to showcase your rental’s best features in bite-sized, engaging clips. Travelers love dynamic content that’s easy to consume, sharing a glimpse into your property and the experiences they can have there.

What works:

• Storytelling over selling: Instead of a generic tour, tell a story. For example, create a “day in the life” video that follows a hypothetical guest’s journey from check-in to staying at your property.
• Trendy audios: Use trending sounds or songs to boost your videos. Platforms often prioritize content with popular audio, increasing your chances of going viral.

Behind-the-scenes content: Share snippets of how you prepare your property for guests, such as setting up a welcome basket or fluffing up those Instagram-worthy pillows.

2. Authenticity is the new aesthetic

The high-polished, magazine-style posts are so last year. Today’s travelers crave authenticity and want to see real-life experiences. Highlighting your property’s unique characteristics and even its quirks can make your listing pop against a backdrop of perfection.

How to keep it real:

• User-generated content (UGC): Encourage guests to share their own photos and tag your property. Repost these moments on your page to create trust and reliability.
• Unfiltered moments: Post candid shots that show how your space looks in everyday life, like sunlight streaming through the windows or a cozy setup during a stormy day.

Guest reviews: Share video clips or quotes from guests talking about their stay. Testimonials build confidence in future travelers.

3. Interactive posts drive engagement

Interactive posts are a surefire way to get people talking—the more engagement you get, the better. From polls and quizzes to Q&A sessions, these formats invite your audience to participate, making your page more fun.

Ideas to try:

• Polls and quizzes: You could ask questions such as “What would you rather do: a hot tub soak or a sunrise hike?” or devise quizzes such as “What type of traveler are you?”.
• Live tours: Offer live-streamed tours of your property so you can answer questions in real-time and highlight its attributes.
• Caption contests: Share an interesting image of your property and ask your followers to submit the best caption. Offer a discount or small prize to the winner.

4. Sustainability at the forefront

Travelers are more aware of sustainability and want authentic, local experiences. Showcasing these elements in your posts can appeal strongly to eco-friendly and adventure-loving markets.

How to highlight this:

• Eco-friendly amenities: Showcase green initiatives like solar panels, recycling programs, or energy-efficient appliances in your rental.
• Local partnerships: Team up with local businesses or tour operators to offer local activities such as wine-tasting events, guided walks, or cultural tours.
• Storytelling posts: Share the story of your property, including its history, design inspiration, or connection to the local area. This adds depth to your brand and builds emotional connections.

5. Consistency is key

Trends come and go, but consistency is key. Posting regularly and maintaining a cohesive brand identity keeps you top of mind for travelers planning their next trip.

Tips for staying consistent:

• Content calendar: A content calendar lets you map out your social media posts in advance, so there are no breaks in your content. You can also use scheduling tools like Buffer or Later to make the task easier.
• Brand identity: Use a uniform color palette, tone, and style throughout all your posts to build a recognizable professional look for your vacation rental business.
• Staying active: Reply to comments and messages as soon as possible. This will build trust and increase your page’s visibility on most platforms.

6. AI and automation

In 2025, AI is making it easier than ever to create and manage social media content. From generating captions to editing videos, AI tools can save you time and energy without compromising on quality.

Tools to explore:

• AI caption generators: Tools like ChatGPT can help you write captions that engage your audience.
• Video editors: Editing apps such as CapCut and InShot have AI-powered features that enhance videos effortlessly.

Analytics insights: Track what’s working and hone your strategy with social media analytics tools.

7. The rise of niche content

The one-size-fits-all approach to content strategy will no longer cut it in 2025. Travelers now look for vacation rentals that cater to their interests, so tailoring your content to specific niches can have a big impact.

Examples of niche content:

• Pet-friendly properties: Share photos and videos of furry guests enjoying your rental. Highlight amenities like fenced yards, pet beds, or nearby dog parks.
• Family-oriented stays: Create posts showcasing family-oriented activities, from a backyard BBQ to local kid-friendly attractions.
• Digital nomads: Appeal to remote workers by showcasing a comfy workspace with good Wi-Fi, a quiet environment, and coffee shops nearby.

9. Seasonal and event-based posts

Travelers frequently base trips around seasons, holidays, and local events. Publishing relevant, themed content can attract attention when people are actively searching for vacation ideas.

Seasonal content tips:

• Highlight seasonal features: Showcase a crackling fireplace during winter or an outdoor patio for summer sunsets.
• Advertise local events: Use your platform to promote nearby festivals, concerts, or sporting events, highlighting how staying at your rental makes them easier to enjoy.
• Provide seasonal discounts: Encourage bookings by announcing limited-time promotions related to holidays or low season.

10. Putting a face to your brand

While your property may steal the show, travelers also enjoy getting to know the people working behind the scenes. Sharing your personal story and introducing your team can make your brand more relatable.

Ways to humanize your brand:

• Meet the host posts: Share a bit about yourself or your team—why you started hosting, your favorite aspects of the property, or your best hosting memory.
• Behind-the-scenes moments: Share a peek behind the curtain—the day-to-day grind, whether that’s getting ready for a new guest or a blooper while filming a promo video.
• Gratitude posts: Thank your guests for their reviews, loyalty, or gorgeous photos they shared and tagged you in. A little appreciation goes a long way in building long-term connections.

Ready to level up your social media platforms?

In 2025, creating social media posts for short-term rentals will be all about human connection. Remember that you are the best ingredient in your social media success. So, pick up your camera (or your phone), get creative, and enjoy converting your followers into possible future guests.

To make managing your social media and bookings even easier, Hosthub has your back. With tools designed to streamline your operations, it helps you manage multiple booking platforms from one place, freeing up time to focus on your social media presence. Start your free trial today and see how Hosthub can take your vacation rental business to the next level!