Guest Spotlight: Instagram & TikTok Integration

Tier: Business 💼
Time: 20 minutes to set up, ongoing maintenance
Prerequisites: Business plan, Instagram and/or TikTok account

Overview

Guest Spotlight transforms your guests into brand ambassadors by collecting and showcasing their Instagram and TikTok posts about your property. Create a living, breathing guestbook filled with authentic guest experiences that builds social proof and drives future bookings.

Key Benefits:

📸 Authentic Social Proof - Real guest photos and videos from Instagram/TikTok
🎯 Hashtag Campaigns - Track guests using your property's hashtag
✨ Auto-Discovery - New posts automatically sync to your guestbook
🔒 Moderation Control - Review and approve content before it goes live
📊 Engagement Analytics - Track hashtag usage and guest participation
🌟 Builds Trust - 92% of travelers trust guest content over brand content

What is Guest Spotlight?

Traditional guestbooks collect written messages. Guest Spotlight goes further by:

Collecting Social Media Content - Guests post photos/videos with your hashtag
Auto-Syncing - Content automatically appears in your guestbook
Showcasing Experiences - Display guest posts in a beautiful gallery
Building Social Proof - Show potential guests real experiences
Encouraging Sharing - Make it easy and fun for guests to post

Example Use Cases:

Beachside Cottage with hashtag #SunsetAtRoseCottage
Mountain Cabin using #PeakViewCabinStays
Downtown Loft with #UrbanLoftMiami
Family Villa tagged #VillaParadiseMemories

How It Works

The Guest Experience

Guest Checks In - Sees your hashtag in the guidebook welcome section
Guest Explores - Takes photos/videos during their stay
Guest Posts - Shares to Instagram or TikTok with your hashtag
Auto-Sync - GuestLoop discovers the post automatically (within 1-2 hours)
You Moderate - Review and approve the post
Post Goes Live - Appears in your property's guestbook gallery
Social Proof - Future guests see authentic experiences

Your Workflow

Create Hashtag Campaign - Set up your property's unique hashtag
Connect Social Accounts - Link Instagram/TikTok (optional but recommended)
Promote Hashtag - Add to guidebook, welcome book, signage
Monitor Posts - Check for new guest content daily/weekly
Moderate - Approve appropriate posts, hide inappropriate ones
Engage - Like, comment, thank guests for sharing

Setting Up Your First Hashtag Campaign

Step 1: Access Guest Spotlight Dashboard

Method 1: From Properties

Navigate to Properties → Select property
Click "Guest Spotlight" tab
You'll see the Guest Spotlight Dashboard

Method 2: From Dashboard

Click "Social Media" in sidebar
Select "Guest Spotlight" tab

Method 3: Direct URL Visit: /dashboard/properties/{property-id}/guest-spotlight

Step 2: Create Hashtag Campaign

Click "Create Hashtag Campaign"
Choose Your Hashtag

Automatic Suggestion: GuestLoop suggests: #{PropertyName}{City}
- Example: #BeachHouseSantaMonica
- Example: #CabinAspen
- Example: #LoftAustin
Custom Hashtag:
- Keep it short (10-20 characters)
- Make it memorable
- Make it unique (search first to avoid conflicts)
- Include property/location reference
Good Examples:
```
✅ #SunsetVillaMaui
✅ #PineTreeCabinTahoe
✅ #UrbanStudioNYC
✅ #BeachsideRetreatOBX
```
Bad Examples:
```
❌ #VacationRental (too generic, 2M+ posts)
❌ #MyProperty (not descriptive)
❌ #TheBestMostAmazingBeachHouseEver (too long)
❌ #12345 (not memorable)
```
Set as Primary Campaign
- Toggle "Primary Campaign" to ON
- Your primary hashtag displays prominently in the guidebook
- Only one primary campaign per property
Configure Settings

Auto-Approval:
- OFF (recommended) - You manually approve each post
- ON - All posts go live automatically (risky)
Platforms:
- ☑ Instagram
- ☑ TikTok
- ☐ Twitter (coming soon)
Minimum Content Quality:
- Require minimum 100 likes (filters out low-engagement posts)
- Require verified accounts only
- Filter out posts with certain keywords
Click "Create Campaign"

Step 3: Connect Social Media Accounts

Why Connect?

Faster content discovery (real-time vs 1-2 hour delay)
Ability to auto-like/comment on guest posts
Engagement analytics
Respond to guests directly from GuestLoop

Instagram Connection:

Click "Connect Instagram"
Log in with Instagram Business or Creator account
Authorize GuestLoop to access your posts
Connection complete ✅

TikTok Connection:

Click "Connect TikTok"
Log in with TikTok account
Authorize GuestLoop permissions
Connection complete ✅

Note: Personal Instagram accounts won't work - you need Instagram Business or Creator account (free upgrade in Instagram settings)

Promoting Your Hashtag

In Your Digital Guidebook

Welcome Section (Automatic): Your primary hashtag automatically appears in the guidebook welcome section:

📸 Share Your Experience!

We'd love to see your photos and videos! 
Post to Instagram or TikTok and tag us with:

#YourPropertyHashtag

Your posts may be featured in our guestbook! ✨

Guestbook Page: Dedicated "Guestbook" tab in guidebook navigation shows:

Gallery of approved guest posts
Instructions for adding their content
Your primary hashtag prominently displayed

In Your Physical Welcome Book

Sample Text:

📸 SHARE YOUR STAY

Having a great time? Share your photos 
and videos on Instagram or TikTok!

Use hashtag: #BeachHouseSantaMonica

We'd love to feature you in our guestbook!
Don't forget to tag us: @youraccount

On Physical Signage

Ideas:

Framed sign near front door
Bathroom mirror decals
Poolside signage
Kitchen chalkboard
Bedroom nightstand cards

Sample Design:

┌─────────────────────────┐
│  📸  SHARE YOUR STAY   │
│                         │
│  #YourHashtag          │
│  @YourAccount          │
│                         │
│  We'd love to see      │
│  your photos! 🌟       │
└─────────────────────────┘

In Guest Communications

Pre-Arrival Email:

📸 We'd love to see your photos!

During your stay, share your favorite moments 
on Instagram or TikTok using #BeachHouseSantaMonica

Your posts may be featured in our digital guestbook!

Post-Stay Thank You:

Thanks for staying with us! We hope you had 
an amazing time.

If you shared any photos on Instagram or TikTok 
with #BeachHouseSantaMonica, we'd love to feature 
them in our guestbook! 📸✨

Managing Guest Posts

Guest Spotlight Dashboard

What You'll See:

Pending Approval - New posts awaiting your review
Approved - Posts live in your guestbook
Hidden - Posts you've chosen not to display
Flagged - Posts needing attention

Moderating Content

Reviewing New Posts:

Pending Posts tab shows all new content
Each post displays:
- Platform (Instagram or TikTok)
- Guest's username
- Photo/video preview
- Caption/description
- Engagement (likes, comments, views)
- Post date
Approve or Hide:
- ✅ Approve - Post goes live in guestbook
- 👁️ Hide - Post not shown (guest not notified)
- 🚫 Block User - Hide all posts from this user

Approval Criteria:

Approve Posts That: ✅ Show your property in a positive light ✅ Are high-quality photos/videos ✅ Have appropriate captions ✅ Show genuine guest experiences ✅ Respect other guests' privacy ✅ Are family-friendly

Hide Posts That: ❌ Show property damage or issues ❌ Include inappropriate content ❌ Show other guests without consent ❌ Are clearly spam or promotional ❌ Include complaints or negative reviews ❌ Show private/intimate moments

Bulk Actions

Select Multiple Posts:

Check boxes next to posts
Choose bulk action:
- Approve all selected
- Hide all selected
- Delete from system

Displaying Guest Spotlight in Your Guidebook

Guestbook Page

Automatic Display:

Approved posts automatically appear on /g/{property-id}/guestbook
Shown in reverse chronological order (newest first)
Beautiful grid layout (3 columns on desktop, 1 on mobile)
Click to view full post details

What Guests See:

Post image/video
Guest's username (linked to their profile)
Caption excerpt
Post date
"View on Instagram/TikTok" link

Empty State (No Posts Yet)

When no posts have been approved:

📸 Be the First to Share!

We'd love to see your photos and videos!

Post to Instagram or TikTok with:
#YourPropertyHashtag

Your experience could be featured here! ✨

Host Settings

Enable/Disable Guestbook:

Go to Property Settings → Guidebook Settings
Find "Guest Spotlight" section
Toggle "Show Guest Spotlight Tab" ON/OFF

When OFF:

Guestbook tab hidden from guests
You can still collect and moderate posts
Useful if building up content before going public

Analytics & Insights

Campaign Performance

Key Metrics:

Reach:

Total posts collected
Total views across all platforms
Total likes across all posts
Total comments received

Engagement Rate:

Example:
- 45 posts collected
- 12,500 total views
- 890 total likes
- 123 comments

Average per post:
- 278 views
- 19.8 likes
- 2.7 comments

Participation Rate:

Calculation:
(Guests who posted / Total guests) × 100

Example:
- 45 posts from guests
- 150 total bookings
- Participation: 30%

Industry average: 8-12%
Your rate: 30% (Excellent! 🎉)

Top Performers

Most Engaged Posts:

Rank posts by likes + comments
Identify what resonates with guests
Replicate successful content themes

Example Insights:

Top Post Themes:
1. Sunset pool photos (avg. 45 likes)
2. Kitchen/cooking videos (avg. 38 likes)
3. Pet-friendly moments (avg. 35 likes)
4. Outdoor dining (avg. 32 likes)

Insight: Guests love sharing outdoor 
amenities. Consider highlighting these 
in your property description!

Platform Performance

Instagram vs TikTok:

Instagram:
- 35 posts (78%)
- Average engagement: 25 interactions
- Peak posting: Evening (6-9 PM)

TikTok:
- 10 posts (22%)
- Average engagement: 120 interactions
- Peak posting: Morning (9-11 AM)

Insight: TikTok posts get 5x more 
engagement! Encourage TikTok posting 
with video-friendly amenities.

Best Practices for Maximizing Guest Spotlight

Make It Easy

1. Clear Instructions: Don't assume guests know what to do:

❌ "Share with our hashtag"
✅ "Post a photo to Instagram or TikTok with 
   #BeachHouseMiami in the caption"

2. Visible Reminders: Put hashtag signage in:

Welcome book (first page)
Bathroom mirrors
Pool area
Photo-worthy spots

3. Hashtag Pre-Populated: Create QR codes that open Instagram/TikTok with your hashtag already filled in

Incentivize Sharing

Ideas:

1. Feature Spotlight: "Share with #BeachHouseMiami and you might be featured on our Instagram with 50K followers!"

2. Discount for Next Stay: "Post a photo with #BeachHouseMiami and get 10% off your next booking"

3. Monthly Giveaway: "Post with our hashtag for a chance to win a free weekend stay (drawn monthly)"

4. Thank You Gift: "Post during your stay and receive a $25 restaurant gift card"

Legal Note: Include contest rules, eligibility, and terms if offering prizes

Create Photo-Worthy Moments

Instagram-Worthy Spots:

Swing or hammock with view
Neon sign with property name
Colorful accent wall
Unique decor pieces
Pool floats (flamingos, unicorns)
Cozy reading nooks
Outdoor string lights

TikTok-Friendly Features:

Before/after transformations
Hidden features (secret rooms, Murphy beds)
Fun amenities (slide into pool, arcade games)
Local experiences nearby
Timelapse-worthy views (sunsets, city lights)

Engage with Guest Posts

When Guests Post:

Like Immediately - Shows you saw and appreciate it

Comment Authentically:

✅ "Love this shot of the sunset! Hope you're 
   having an amazing stay! 🌅"
✅ "That pool looks so inviting! Enjoy your stay!"
✅ "So glad you're enjoying the outdoor space! 🌴"

❌ "Thanks for staying with us" (too generic)
❌ "Book again soon" (too salesy)

Share to Your Story (with permission) - Tag the guest
Repost to Your Feed (occasionally) - Give guests exposure

Legal & Permissions

Using Guest Content

Important:

When guests post with your hashtag, they're generally giving implied permission to feature their content, BUT best practice is to:

1. Include Permission in House Rules:

By using hashtag #YourProperty, guests grant 
permission to feature their posts in our digital 
guestbook and marketing materials.

2. Ask for Explicit Permission: Before using content in paid advertising:

"Hi! We love your photo from your stay! Would 
you mind if we used it in our marketing? We'd 
credit you and tag your account!"

3. Always Credit:

Include guest's username
Link to original post
Tag them when resharing

Content Guidelines for Guests

Include in Welcome Book:

📸 SHARING GUIDELINES

We love seeing your photos! When posting:

✅ DO:
- Share beautiful moments from your stay
- Tag us and use #YourHashtag
- Keep content family-friendly
- Respect other guests' privacy

❌ DON'T:
- Share exact address or location tags
- Show other guests without permission
- Post inappropriate content
- Share WiFi passwords or codes

Privacy Considerations

Protect Guest Privacy:

Hide posts showing other identifiable guests
Don't share posts with children's faces (without parent consent)
Remove posts if guest requests (even after approval)
Don't use content in ways not originally intended

Troubleshooting & FAQs

"Posts aren't showing up"

Reasons:

Not using exact hashtag - Case matters on some platforms
Private account - Can't access private posts
No Instagram Business connection - Slower discovery without API access
Hashtag in comments - Must be in main caption
Sync delay - Can take 1-2 hours to discover new posts

Solutions:

Verify exact hashtag spelling in guest posts
Connect Instagram Business account for real-time sync
Check "Pending" tab - posts may need approval
Manually refresh sync in dashboard

"Too many irrelevant posts"

Issue: Getting posts that aren't from your guests

Reasons:

Generic hashtag (e.g., #BeachHouse has millions of posts)
Another property using same hashtag
Spam accounts

Solutions:

Use more specific hashtag:
- Add location: #BeachHouseSantaMonica
- Add property name: #CoralBayBeachHouse
- Make it unique: #SunriseSuitesMiami
Enable content filters:
- Minimum follower count
- Verified accounts only
- Geographic filters (posts from your area)
Manual moderation:
- Review all posts before approval
- Hide irrelevant content

"Guests aren't posting"

Common Reasons:

Don't know about hashtag
Not motivated to share
Hashtag too long/complicated
No photo-worthy moments

Solutions:

Increase Visibility:

Add hashtag to 5+ locations (guidebook, welcome book, signage, bathroom mirror, pool area)
Mention in check-in email
Include in checkout instructions

Increase Motivation:

Offer discount for next stay
Monthly giveaway for featured posts
Showcase guests on your social media
Make it fun/easy

Make It Photo-Worthy:

Add Instagram-worthy decor
Create unique experiences
Provide props (polaroid cameras, fun hats, pool floats)
Suggest photo spots in guidebook

"How do I delete a post?"

Steps:

Find post in Guest Spotlight Dashboard
Click "Hide" to remove from guestbook
Click "Delete from System" to permanently remove

Note: Deleting from GuestLoop doesn't delete the original post on Instagram/TikTok

Advanced Features

Multiple Hashtag Campaigns

Why Use Multiple:

Different properties
Seasonal campaigns (#SummerAtTheBeach)
Special events (#NYEAtTheLoft)
Property areas (#PoolAtVilla, #KitchenGoals)

Managing Multiple:

Create additional campaigns
Set one as "Primary" (shows in guidebook)
Others tracked in background
All posts merge in guestbook

Auto-Engage Settings

Automatic Actions:

Auto-Like:

Automatically like all posts with your hashtag
Shows appreciation immediately
Encourages more posting

Auto-Comment:

Leave template comment on posts

Example: "Love this! Thanks for sharing your 
stay with us! 🌟 #BeachHouseMiami"

Personalization recommended over templates

Auto-Approve:

Skip moderation, all posts go live
Only recommended if you trust your guest demographic
Can always hide posts later

Webhook Notifications

Get Notified:

Email when new post detected
Slack message to team channel
SMS alert for immediate attention

Setup:

Guest Spotlight Dashboard → Settings
Enable "New Post Notifications"
Choose notification method
Set notification frequency (immediate, daily digest, weekly)

Success Stories & Examples

Case Study: Beach House Santa Monica

Setup:

Hashtag: #SunsetAtSantaMonica
Signage: Pool area, welcome book, bathroom mirrors
Incentive: 10% off next stay for posters

Results (6 months):

87 posts collected
32% guest participation (vs 8-12% average)
15,000+ combined reach
1,200+ likes across all posts
3 direct bookings from Instagram profile visits

Key Success Factors:

Photo-worthy pool setup
Clear hashtag promotion
Engaged with every post
Offered meaningful incentive

Case Study: Mountain Cabin Colorado

Setup:

Hashtag: #PeakViewCabin
Unique feature: Sunrise deck with chairs
TikTok-focused: Encouraged video tours

Results (3 months):

34 posts (20 TikTok, 14 Instagram)
TikTok posts averaged 5,000 views each
Several videos went "semi-viral" (50K+ views)
8 direct booking inquiries mentioning TikTok

Key Success Factors:

Stunning mountain view perfect for TikTok
Encouraged "cabin tour" videos
Reposted best content to own TikTok (120K followers)
Leveraged trending audio/sounds

Tips for Success

Do's ✅

Make hashtag visible everywhere - Don't assume guests will remember
Engage with every post - Like, comment, thank guests
Feature best content - Reshare to your channels (with permission)
Keep it simple - Short, memorable hashtag
Moderate regularly - Check for new posts daily
Reward participation - Discounts, features, giveaways
Create photo moments - Design spaces for sharing
Track what works - Analyze which amenities guests post most

Don'ts ❌

Don't auto-approve everything - Always moderate first
Don't use generic hashtags - Too much noise
Don't forget to credit - Always tag original poster
Don't over-filter - Accept authentic, imperfect content
Don't pressure guests - Make it optional and fun
Don't ignore complaints - Address issues shown in posts
Don't steal content - Always get permission for marketing use

What's Next?

Now that your Guest Spotlight is set up:

✅ Share to Social Media - Cross-post guest content to your channels
✅ Create Blog Content - Feature guest stories in blog posts
✅ Track Impact - Measure bookings driven by Guest Spotlight

Need Help?

Business Plan Support: support@guestloop.com (Priority response within 4 hours)
Guest Spotlight Strategy Consultation: Available for Business plan users
Video Tutorial: Watch: Setting Up Guest Spotlight
Instagram/TikTok Setup Help: Social Media Connection Guide

Built for vacation rental hosts | Powered by authentic guest experiences | Updated daily from Instagram & TikTok

Guest Spotlight: Instagram & TikTok Integration

Guest Spotlight: Instagram & TikTok Integration

Overview

What is Guest Spotlight?

How It Works

The Guest Experience

Your Workflow

Setting Up Your First Hashtag Campaign

Step 1: Access Guest Spotlight Dashboard

Step 2: Create Hashtag Campaign

Step 3: Connect Social Media Accounts

Promoting Your Hashtag

In Your Digital Guidebook

In Your Physical Welcome Book

On Physical Signage

In Guest Communications

Managing Guest Posts

Guest Spotlight Dashboard

Moderating Content

Bulk Actions

Displaying Guest Spotlight in Your Guidebook

Guestbook Page

Empty State (No Posts Yet)

Host Settings

Analytics & Insights

Campaign Performance

Top Performers

Platform Performance

Best Practices for Maximizing Guest Spotlight

Make It Easy

Incentivize Sharing

Create Photo-Worthy Moments

Engage with Guest Posts

Legal & Permissions

Using Guest Content

Content Guidelines for Guests

Privacy Considerations

Troubleshooting & FAQs

"Posts aren't showing up"

"Too many irrelevant posts"

"Guests aren't posting"

"How do I delete a post?"

Advanced Features

Multiple Hashtag Campaigns

Auto-Engage Settings

Webhook Notifications

Success Stories & Examples

Case Study: Beach House Santa Monica

Case Study: Mountain Cabin Colorado

Tips for Success

Do's ✅

Don'ts ❌

What's Next?

Need Help?

Need More Help?

More Guides