Expedia reviews influence hotel rankings, visibility, and bookings. This guide explains how they work, how to get more guest reviews, and how to respond effectively.
Online reviews strongly shape how travelers choose hotels. When guests compare properties side by side, recent ratings and feedback often determine the final booking decision.
What Are Expedia Reviews?
Expedia reviews are ratings and written feedback submitted by guests who completed a stay booked through Expedia or its partner brands. Only verified guests can leave a review, which helps ensure authenticity and increases traveler confidence.
Each review usually includes:
- An overall star rating
- Individual scores for cleanliness, service, comfort, and condition
- Optional written comments
- Photos uploaded by guests
These reviews appear directly on the hotel’s Expedia listing page. Travelers often read several reviews before booking, especially recent ones. A strong review profile helps reduce uncertainty and makes guests more comfortable committing to a reservation.
Expedia also uses review data to calculate internal quality scores. These scores influence property visibility, sort order, and eligibility for certain promotions.
For hotel managers, reviews are both a marketing signal and an operational report created by real guests.
How Do Expedia Reviews Work?
The review process follows a structured flow designed to capture feedback shortly after checkout.
After a guest completes their stay, Expedia automatically sends an email invitation asking them to share their experience. This message includes a secure link that allows the guest to rate the property and write comments.
Guests are asked to evaluate several areas, such as:
- Overall satisfaction
- Cleanliness
- Staff service
- Room comfort
- Property condition
- Location
Once submitted, reviews go through basic moderation to remove inappropriate language or irrelevant content. Approved reviews are usually published within a short time.
Hotel teams can view all reviews inside Expedia Partner Central. From there, managers can monitor ratings, analyze feedback trends, and respond publicly.
Because the review invitation comes directly from Expedia, hotels cannot edit or filter which guests receive it. This makes operational consistency extremely important. Every stay has the potential to become a public review.
How to Get More Expedia Reviews
A healthy number of reviews improves credibility and keeps listings active. Properties with frequent new reviews often gain higher engagement from travelers.
Below are proven ways to increase review volume while staying compliant with Expedia policies.
Encourage Reviews Through Active Efforts
Front desk interaction has a strong influence on review behavior.
Staff can politely mention reviews during checkout when the guest appears satisfied. A simple reminder works well when it feels natural and not forced. Guests who had a smooth stay are often willing to help if asked respectfully.
- Pre-arrival and in-stay messages can also prepare guests for feedback. A short line such as “We value guest reviews and would love to hear your thoughts after your stay” sets expectations early.
- Post-stay communication is one of the most effective methods. Using Expedia’s messaging tools or connected PMS systems, hotels can send a thank-you message shortly after departure. Timing matters. Messages sent within 24 to 48 hours tend to achieve higher response rates.
- In-room reminders are another option. Small cards with a QR code or a brief message near the desk or mirror can gently prompt guests without pressure.
The key is consistency. Review requests should be part of standard operations, not an occasional effort.
Increase Reviews Through Passive Methods
Passive strategies work quietly in the background and do not rely on staff interaction.
- Automated emails are highly effective. Many hotels connect their PMS or channel manager to schedule follow-up messages once checkout is completed. Automation ensures no guest is forgotten.
- Clear access matters. If guests must search for the review page, most will not complete it. Direct links improve completion rates.
- Positive experiences naturally lead to reviews. When check-in is smooth, rooms are clean, and communication is clear, guests are more willing to share feedback without being asked.
Passive methods work best when supported by strong service delivery. Reviews increase naturally when operations are stable.
How to Respond to Reviews on Expedia
Responding to reviews is as important as collecting them. Travelers often read management replies before booking. A thoughtful response can reduce concerns, clarify misunderstandings, and demonstrate professionalism.
Expedia allows hotels to respond publicly through Partner Central. Responses appear directly below guest reviews.
Both positive and negative reviews deserve attention.
How to Respond to Good Reviews on Expedia
Positive reviews provide an opportunity to reinforce your brand voice.
Effective responses include:
- A sincere thank-you message
- Reference to specific details mentioned by the guest
- Friendly and professional tone
- An invitation to return
Personalization matters. Generic replies feel automated and reduce trust. Mentioning the room type, service, or facility the guest enjoyed makes the response feel human.
Responses do not need to be long. Short, warm messages often perform better.
Example approach:
Thank the guest by name when possible. Acknowledge what they appreciated. Reinforce your commitment to service. End with a welcoming note for future stays.
These replies show potential guests that positive experiences are recognized and valued.
How to Respond to Bad Reviews on Expedia
Negative reviews require care, patience, and clarity. How a hotel responds often matters more than the complaint itself.
A strong response follows several principles:
- Acknowledge the issue. Guests want to feel heard. Avoid dismissive language.
- Offer an apology, even if the situation was outside your control. Apologizing does not mean admitting fault. It shows empathy.
- Explain briefly. Provide context without making excuses. Long explanations often appear defensive.
- Describe corrective actions. Let readers know what has changed or what steps are being taken.
- Invite offline contact. Offering a direct email or phone number moves the conversation away from the public page.
- Avoid emotional language. Responses should remain calm and respectful at all times.
A well-written reply reassures future guests that problems are addressed seriously and professionally.
Using Expedia Reviews to Improve Hotel Performance
Reviews should not only be read. They should be analyzed.
Tracking recurring keywords helps identify operational issues. Comments about cleanliness, noise, or check-in delays often point to specific processes that need adjustment.
Monthly review summaries are useful for management meetings. Patterns become easier to see when feedback is grouped together.
Sharing review insights with housekeeping, front desk, and maintenance teams helps align daily work with guest expectations.
Positive feedback is equally valuable. Repeated praise highlights strengths that can be emphasized in marketing messages and listing descriptions.
Reviews provide continuous training material created directly by guests.
How Reviews Influence Bookings and Visibility
Travelers compare hotels quickly. When two properties have similar prices and locations, reviews often determine the final choice.
A higher average rating improves trust. Recent reviews increase credibility. Active responses signal engagement.
Expedia’s algorithms consider review quality, freshness, and response activity when ranking properties in search results.
Hotels that maintain steady review growth often experience:
- Higher click-through rates
- Better conversion rates
- Increased repeat bookings
- Lower dependence on discounts
Reviews act as social proof. They reduce hesitation and shorten the booking decision cycle.
Final Thoughts
Expedia reviews reflect real guest experiences and real operational outcomes. They influence visibility, trust, and revenue more than most marketing tactics.
Hotels that treat reviews as a daily management tool rather than a reputation task gain long-term advantages. Consistent collection, thoughtful responses, and ongoing analysis help transform feedback into bookings.
By improving how reviews are earned, managed, and applied, hoteliers can strengthen their presence on Expedia and create better guest experiences at the same time.
FAQs
Q: Can hotels remove or delete negative Expedia reviews?
A: No. Hotels cannot remove or delete negative reviews on Expedia simply because they are unfavorable.
Expedia only removes reviews that clearly violate its content guidelines, such as spam, offensive language, or comments unrelated to the actual stay. If a review reflects a real guest experience, it will remain visible even if the hotel disagrees with it.
The most effective way to reduce the impact of negative reviews is to respond professionally, explain how the issue has been addressed, and continue collecting new positive reviews. Recent and consistent feedback plays a major role in how travelers evaluate a property.
Q: Do Expedia reviews affect hotel ranking and visibility?
A: Yes. Expedia reviews directly influence a hotel’s visibility on the platform.
Properties with higher average ratings, frequent recent reviews, and active management responses are more likely to appear higher in search results. Review performance also impacts guest trust, click-through rates, and booking conversions.
Hotels with outdated or low-volume reviews often struggle with visibility even when pricing and location are competitive.
Maintaining steady review activity is one of the most cost-effective ways to improve exposure on Expedia.
Q: How often should hotels respond to Expedia reviews?
A: Hotels should aim to respond to every review, especially negative or detailed ones.
For positive reviews, responses reinforce trust and show appreciation. For negative reviews, timely replies demonstrate accountability and professionalism.
Many experienced hotel managers set an internal goal of responding within 24 to 72 hours. Consistent response activity also signals engagement to Expedia’s algorithm and helps build confidence among future guests reading the reviews.
