Google Hotel Ads
Connection information for Google Hotel Ads.
The connection to Google Hotel Ads enables advertising the selected Rate Types using Google Hotel Ads.
-
Information
-
Setup
-
Reconciliation
-
Frequently Asked Questions
- Add Button
Information
The connection to Google Hotel Ads enables advertising the selected Rate Types using Google Hotel Ads.
The connection to Google Hotel Ads will use the selected Rate Types and Availability options to advertise the property on Google sites including Google Search and Google Maps with the direct booking link navigating to the property's RMS Internet Booking Engine.
Connecting to Google Hotel Ads in RMS requires the property have a Google My Business listing with the Property Information matching the property information setup in Google.
Selecting a Rate Type or Availability Option for the Google HPA connection that is not available on the RMS Internet Booking Engine will hinder conversions of reservations through Google Hotel Ads.
RMS Billing Information must be setup as Credit Card or Direct Debit to enable the connection to Google Hotel Ads.
Google Hotel Ads reservations are automatically reconciled on the 14th of each month for all departed reservations in the previous calendar month.
The commission payable is calculated on the Total Rate of the reservation at the end of each month.
Changes to the Total Rate after reservation creation will change the estimated commission payable on the Google HPA Dashboard.
Google Hotel Ads can take from four to six weeks to begin appearing on Google sites after the connection to Google Hotel Ads is completed in RMS.
-
Setup
-
Reconciliation
- Add Button
Setup
Have your System Administrator complete the following.
- Go to Setup > Online Bookings > Channel Management in RMS.
- Select the View 'Unconnected'.
- Select 'Google HPA' and choose 'Connect'.
- Navigate to the 'Options' tab.
- Select an Availability option.
- Optional: Select a Colour.
- Optional: Select a Booking Source.
- Navigate to the 'Available Rate Types' tab.
- Select a Rate Type and choose the
button. - Save/Exit.
- Read the Terms & Conditions.
- Select 'Activate Google HPA'.
-
Guide
- Add Button
Guide
Go to Setup > Online Bookings > Channel Management in RMS.
Select the View 'Unconnected'.
Select 'Google HPA' and choose 'Connect'.
Navigate to the 'Options' tab.
Select an Availability option.
Optional: Select a Colour.
Optional: Select a Booking Source.
Navigate to the 'Available Rate Types' tab.
Select a Rate Type and choose the 
button.
Select 'Save/Exit' to store the changes made and leave the setup.
Read the Terms & Conditions.
Select 'Activate Google HPA'.
The selected Availability & Rate Types will be used for the property's Google Hotel Ads.
Reconciliation
Google HPA reservations are automatically reconciled using the RMS Billing Information on the 14th of each month for all departed reservations in the previous calendar month.
The commission payable is calculated on the Total Rate of the reservation at the time of departure.
Changes to the Total Rate after reservation creation will change the estimated commission payable on the Google HPA Dashboard.
The Google HPA Dashboard is available under the 'Dashboard' menu accessible from the Side Menu or selecting the 
'Dashboard' icon in the Toolbar Menu.
The Reconciliation Report included on the dashboard will display the commission amount due for all Google HPA reservations from the previous calendar month.
For any queries on the displayed amount owing contact RMS Accounts prior to the 7th of the month.
Setup
Have your System Administrator complete the following.
- Go to Setup > Online Bookings > Channel Management in RMS.
- Select the View 'Unconnected'.
- Select 'Google HPA' and choose 'Connect'.
- Navigate to the 'Options' tab.
- Select an Availability option.
- Optional: Select a Colour.
- Optional: Select a Booking Source.
- Navigate to the 'Available Rate Types' tab.
- Select a Rate Type and choose the
button. - Save/Exit.
- Read the Terms & Conditions.
- Select 'Activate Google HPA'.
-
Guide
- Add Button
Guide
Go to Setup > Online Bookings > Channel Management in RMS.
Select the View 'Unconnected'.
Select 'Google HPA' and choose 'Connect'.
Navigate to the 'Options' tab.
Select an Availability option.
Optional: Select a Colour.
Optional: Select a Booking Source.
Navigate to the 'Available Rate Types' tab.
Select a Rate Type and choose the button.
Select 'Save/Exit' to store the changes made and leave the setup.
Read the Terms & Conditions.
Select 'Activate Google HPA'.
The selected Availability & Rate Types will be used for the property's Google Hotel Ads.
Reconciliation
Google HPA reservations are automatically reconciled using the RMS Billing Information on the 14th of each month for all departed reservations in the previous calendar month.
The commission payable is calculated on the Total Rate of the reservation at the time of departure.
Changes to the Total Rate after reservation creation will change the estimated commission payable on the Google HPA Dashboard.
The Google HPA Dashboard is available under the 'Dashboard' menu accessible from the Side Menu or selecting the 'Dashboard' icon in the Toolbar Menu.
The Reconciliation Report included on the dashboard will display the commission amount due for all Google HPA reservations from the previous calendar month.
For any queries on the displayed amount owing contact RMS Accounts prior to the 7th of the month.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Google Hotel Ads and what are the benefits of using it?
Google Hotel Ads is an optional addition available to properties in Australia and the USA using the RMS Internet Booking Engine that will advertise and spotlight the connected property on Google sites including Google Search and Google Maps.
Google Hotel Ads increases exposure and reservations by putting the property, availability, rates and quick access to book via the RMS Internet Booking Engine directly from Google Search and Google Maps when related area searches are performed.
Connecting to Google Hotel Ads using the RMS Channel Manager simplifies promotion and property exposure using the preselected Rate Types and Availability Options with Google only charging commissions for reservations that complete their stay at the property.
What costs are involved with using Google Hotel Ads?
There are no RMS subscription fees for connecting to Google Hotel Ads.
The connection requires the property to have an active RMS Online subscription and be using the RMS Internet Booking Engine as the property's booking engine.
Google charge commissions to RMS for each reservation made via Google Hotel Ads which RMS reconciles and invoice or direct debit the property on the 14th of each month for all conversions from the previous month.
Google Hotel Ads has no monthly fees and will not be included on the RMS Product Subscription invoice. Invoices for commissions owed to Google are sent separately on the 14th of each month.
RMS Billing Information must be setup as Credit Card or Direct Debit to enable the connection to Google Hotel Ads.
How to activate the Google Hotel Ads connection?
Follow the steps in the 'Setup' section of this article to complete the connection to Google HPA.
The property must be located in Australia, have an active RMS Online subscription and be using the RMS Internet Booking Engine as the property's booking engine to have Google Hotel Ads available.
How long will it take for campaigns to show in search results?
Once the property's Google My Business profile is created and the connection to Google Hotel Ads is setup in RMS Google marketing specialists will verify the connection and begin building the property's campaigns.
When the property's campaigns are ready they are published to the Google Hotel Ads network where they will be indexed by Google and begin to appear in search results.
Google Hotel Ads are managed solely by Google with RMS unable to influence the length of time required by Google to complete the property's campaigns and for indexing to occur.
Property's can anticipate the appearance of their campaigns on Google Hotel Ads to begin appearing in search results from four to six weeks after completing the property's Google My Business profile and the connection to Google Hotel Ads in RMS.
Google Hotel Ads appear in search results based on the relevancy to the search terms entered and won't appear if searching outside of the property's targeted area or keywords outside of the property's campaign.
Will Google Hotel Ads improve the booking engine's overall performance?
Google Hotel Ads improves overall performance by increasing exposure and visibility on high traffic sites like Google Search and Google Maps with the property's Availability, Rates and a direct 'Book Now' link that navigates to the property's RMS Internet Booking Engine.
This increase in exposure and easy access to complete the booking directly on the property's RMS Internet Booking Engine improves overall performance, increases reservation conversation and makes the property's own booking engine more competitive against other Online Travel Agents.
Properties using the RMS Internet Booking Engine see a noticeable increase to direct bookings when using the Google Hotel Ads connection for Google Hotel Ads.
Whilst a number of variables will determine an individual property's success the drastic increase in exposure provided by Google Hotel Ads has proven to increase direct booking traffic by up to 25% in RMS pilot properties using the Google Hotel Ads connection.
How to improve property visibility?
There are no shortcuts to guarantee the property's listing will be displayed at the top of Google Hotel Ad listings or in a way that guarantees booking conversions there are steps the property can take to improve their odds.
Competitive rates, rate parity (price consistency) across connected Online Travel Agents and property availability will all improve the property's Google ranking on Google Hotel Ads.
Using Google Hotel Ads with the RMS Internet Booking Engine ensures the property's best available rates are advertised and spotlighted on the high traffic sites of Google Search and Google Maps.
Ranking of direct rates on Google Hotel Ads can be impacted by competitors active Google Ad Campaigns.
Where does Google Hotel Ads get it's information from?
Availability and Rates advertised through Google Hotel Ads uses the Availability Option and Rate Types selected in the RMS Channel Manager for the Google HPA connection.
Selecting a restrictive Availability Option or a Rate Type that is not available on the RMS Internet Booking Engine will negatively impact the success of the property's listing on Google Hotel Ads and reduce the property's ranking.
How can I tell if a reservation is made through Google Hotel Ads?
The reservation in RMS will list Google HPA as the Travel Agent and include the RMS Online Confirmation Number.
Reservations made via Google Hotel Ads are also listed on the Google Hotel Ads Dashboard with overall reservation statistics to monitor performance of the property's listing.
Will Google Hotel Ads impact the property website's SEO?
Search Engine Optimisation is a separate tool and is not affected by Google Hotel Ads.
What happens when a reservation is modified or cancelled?
Commissions to Google are charged for all reservations created (converted) from Google Hotel Ads.
RMS reconciles reservations made using Google Hotel Ads where the Reservation Status is 'Cancelled', 'No Show', 'Unconfirmed', 'Confirmed' or 'Departed' to reconcile the property's Google commissions for the previous month.
RMS will invoice or direct debit using the RMS Billing option for the property on the 14th of each month for any commissions owed to Google.
How to suspend or disconnect the Google Hotel Ads listing?
Disconnecting the Google Hotel Ads connection in RMS will prevent updates of Rates and Availability being sent to Google.
Google may take from four to six weeks to stop listing the property on Google Hotel Ads after the connection to Google Hotel Ads is disconnected in RMS.