You don’t have to worry if you’re on our pay-Per-stay model for hotel metasearch

The metasearch landscape continues to evolve. On September 1, 2025, trivago shifted all campaigns to a CPA-only (Cost-Per-Acquisition) bidding model, introducing a global minimum NET CPA of 10%.

For many hoteliers, that means sudden adjustments, less flexibility, and a scramble to meet new requirements. But if you’re on Metadesk’s Pay-Per-Stay model, you don’t have to worry.

Here’s why this approach isn’t just important—it’s a smarter, safer way to manage your metasearch investment.

The problem with CPA-only hotel metasearch model

On the surface, CPA bidding looks appealing: you only pay when a booking occurs. But there’s a catch—CPA doesn’t account for cancellations or no-shows. That means hotels still end up paying for revenue they never actually realize.

With trivago’s new rules, hoteliers also lose:

• Flexibility: All campaigns are locked into CPA, whether it fits your strategy or not.
  
• Control: A global 10% minimum NET CPA reduces your ability to manage margins.
  
• Efficiency: You may still pay for bookings that don’t turn into stays.
  

Why pay-per-stay natters for hotel metasearch

Pay-Per-Stay takes performance marketing a step further by aligning costs with actual, consumed revenue. Instead of paying for every booking, you only pay when the guest checks in and completes their stay.

This protects your budget and ensures your spend is tied directly to real business impact.

In short: Pay-Per-Stay eliminates wasted spend, smooths out the risks of cancellations, and gives hoteliers confidence that their investment is working as hard as possible.

Why pay-per-stay with Metadesk is different

Not all Pay-Per-Stay models are created equal. Here’s why using Metadesk’s Pay-Per-Stay model gives you an edge:

✅ End-to-End Transparency – Our upgraded portal shows exactly how your campaigns are performing, from impressions through to actual stays.

✅ Direct Connection to ROI – You don’t just see bookings; you see revenue earned from completed stays, so you know every dollar spent drives true value.

✅ Smarter Insights Built In – Features like Funnel Analysis, Parity Monitoring, and Roll-Up Reporting give you more control over campaign optimization—something a CPA-only environment can’t match.

✅ Fewer Surprises, More Trust – With reconciliation tools that tie campaign performance directly to guest stays, you’ll never be blindsided by wasted spend.

The bottom line

While other providers are adjusting to trivago’s CPA-only model and its mandatory 10% minimum, Metadesk clients are already ahead.

With Metadesk’s Pay-Per-Stay model, you:

• Avoid wasted spend.
  
• Protect your ROI against cancellations and no-shows.
  
• Gain better visibility into true campaign performance.
  
• Enjoy peace of mind knowing your marketing dollars are directly tied to real revenue.
  

👉 In an evolving metasearch landscape, Pay-Per-Stay with Metadesk isn’t just a safer option—it’s the smarter way to win. Contact us now to learn more.

$5.2 billion and counting: Why independent hotels can’t sit back

OTAs spent $5.2 billion on marketing in Q2 of 2025. That is not a typo. Billions. Booking Holdings dropped $2.2 billion. Expedia spent $1.6 billion.

This is not just spending. It is an arms race. If you are an independent hotel, you will not win by trying to match it. The only way forward is to compete smarter.

Why this matters for independent hotels

OTAs are flooding social, search, and AI-driven channels with budget that independents cannot match. They capture the guest early, shape the options, and dominate the conversation. By the time a traveler reaches your site, you are already playing catch-up.

If you do nothing, you are invisible.

The power of brand and storytelling

Your brand is your strongest weapon. Without it, you are just another option in a list of OTA results.

Travelers book with emotion first and logic second. Research shows that 56% of travelers are more likely to book a hotel that tells a compelling story. Brands that lean into storytelling see conversion rates climb by up to 30%. And companies that communicate their brand consistently through storytelling report up to 20% higher customer loyalty.

The numbers prove how powerful loyalty really is in hospitality. According to CBRE’s analysis of 675 million loyalty members, loyalty program members accounted for 52.8% of all occupied hotel rooms in 2024, up 12% year over year. That kind of recurring revenue is the result of strong brand investment and consistent storytelling over time.

Ask yourself: what are the pillars of your brand? How are they carried out every single day? If you are fortunate to have a rich history, what are you doing to treasure it and share it in a way that feels alive today?

Storytelling is not fluff. It is strategy. It is the difference between being remembered or forgotten, between a direct booking and another OTA commission. Do not let AI strip away the human heart of hospitality. Use it to amplify your story and strengthen the connection you build with guests.

How hotel metasearch levels the playing field

Hotel metasearch is where you meet OTAs head-on. It is where travelers compare options side by side. If your direct booking offer is not there, you are giving OTAs a free pass.

Visibility in hotel metasearch means you are in the conversation when it matters most. It is your chance to intercept the booking before it is lost to an OTA.

Why pay-per-stay hotel metasearch matters

Clicks do not pay the bills. Stays do.

That is why pay-per-stay hotel metasearch is so powerful. You only pay when a guest actually stays at your property. No wasted clicks. No empty impressions. Just real performance.

For independents, this is the kind of model that makes budgets stretch further while still keeping you competitive against OTA firepower.

The role of Property Promoted Ads

Property Promoted Ads are another tool in your arsenal. They put your listing in prominent placements during the traveler’s research phase. This keeps your hotel visible when travelers are actively weighing their options.

More visibility means more opportunities to steer travelers toward booking direct.

The next step: AI-powered hotel metasearch

Travel planning is shifting fast into AI engines. Travelers are asking AI assistants to find them hotels that match their exact preferences. If your direct booking link is not being fed into those engines, you are already behind.

The next frontier of hotel metasearch is making sure your hotel shows up in AI results with a direct booking path. Imagine a traveler asking, “Find me a boutique hotel in downtown Nashville with a rooftop bar.” If your direct link is there alongside OTA listings, you just leveled the playing field.

AI-powered hotel metasearch creates a direct line between traveler intent and booking on your site. It is visibility at the very start of the journey, and it allows you to compete in this new environment without trying to outspend the OTAs.

How your property wins

OTAs will keep spending billions. Independent hotels cannot match it, but they do not have to.

Invest in your brand. Tell your story. Show up where travelers are comparing. Utilize models like pay-per-stay to manage costs. Use Property Promoted Ads to boost visibility. And take the next step with AI-powered metasearch to get your direct booking link into the channels where travelers are already searching.

This is how independents compete smarter, protect a larger share of their revenue, and secure direct bookings in a marketplace dominated by OTAs.

Start driving more direct bookings now.

Common pitfalls in hotel metasearch advertising and how to avoid them

Hotel metasearch advertising has become a vital component of the hospitality industry’s digital marketing strategy. It allows hotels to compete directly with online travel agencies (OTAs), drive more direct bookings, and improve profit margins. However, success in metasearch advertising requires careful planning and execution. Many hoteliers fall victim to common pitfalls that can hinder their campaigns’ effectiveness. Below, we explore these challenges and offer practical solutions to overcome them.

1. Poor visibility due to insufficient bidding

The pitfall: Visibility is key in metasearch advertising. Hotels often fail to secure a prominent position on metasearch platforms because they underestimate the importance of competitive bidding. Without sufficient investment, your property’s listing may end up buried beneath OTAs and competitors, resulting in lower click-through rates.

The solution: To improve visibility, optimize your bidding strategy based on performance data. Allocate higher bids to high-performing dates, room types, or markets, and adjust your approach as demand patterns evolve. Use automated bidding tools to stay competitive without overspending.

2. Uncompetitive pricing

The pitfall: Guests are price-sensitive, and metasearch platforms make it easy to compare rates at a glance. If your pricing isn’t competitive or if OTAs consistently undercut your direct booking rates, potential guests will choose alternative options.

The solution: Take parity seriously. Regularly audit OTA rates to ensure consistency with your direct booking prices. Additionally, offer value-added incentives for booking directly, such as free breakfast, late check-out, or exclusive discounts that don’t violate parity agreements.

3. Neglecting mobile optimization

The pitfall: Mobile users represent a significant portion of metasearch traffic. If your booking engine or landing page isn’t mobile-friendly, you risk losing potential customers due to poor user experience.

The solution: Ensure your booking engine is fully optimized for mobile devices. This includes fast loading times, intuitive navigation, and secure payment options. Test your mobile experience regularly and make adjustments to align with changing user behaviors.

4. Ignoring analytics and performance data

The pitfall: Many hotels invest in metasearch advertising without closely monitoring performance metrics. This “set it and forget it” mindset can lead to inefficient spending and missed opportunities for improvement.

The solution: Track key performance indicators (KPIs) such as click-through rate (CTR), conversion rate, and return on ad spend (ROAS). Use these insights to refine your campaigns, optimize your bidding strategy, and adjust your targeting to maximize ROI.

5. Failing to align marketing channels

The pitfall: Metasearch campaigns often operate in isolation from other marketing efforts, leading to inconsistent messaging and missed cross-channel opportunities.

The solution: Integrate metasearch advertising with your broader marketing strategy. Ensure consistent branding and messaging across all touchpoints, including your website, email campaigns, and social media. Cross-promote your direct booking incentives to drive more traffic to your metasearch listings.

6. Lack of differentiation

The pitfall: In a crowded marketplace, many hotels fail to stand out. Generic listings and uninspired descriptions can make it difficult to capture travelers’ attention.

The solution: Highlight your unique selling points (USPs) in your metasearch listing. Whether it’s a stunning location, exceptional amenities, or exclusive offers, make sure these features are prominently displayed. Use high-quality images and compelling copy to create a lasting impression.

7. Slow response to market changes

The pitfall: The travel industry is dynamic, with demand patterns shifting rapidly. Hotels that don’t adapt their metasearch campaigns to changing market conditions risk losing out to more agile competitors.

The solution: Monitor market trends and adjust your campaigns accordingly. For instance, during peak travel seasons, increase your budget and focus on high-demand dates. During off-peak periods, highlight special offers or packages to attract bookings.

Metasearch advertising presents a powerful opportunity for hotels to increase direct bookings and improve profitability. By avoiding common pitfalls such as poor visibility, uncompetitive pricing, and neglecting analytics, hoteliers can maximize the impact of their campaigns. With a strategic approach and ongoing optimization, metasearch advertising can become a cornerstone of your hotel’s digital marketing success. 

Contact Metadesk today to start increasing your direct bookings via hotel metasearch.