Photo Guidelines
Essential guidelines and best practices for property owners to create compelling, high-quality photos that attract guests and ensure successful bookings.
Introduction
These Photo Guidelines provide comprehensive guidance and rules for property owners and managers who list with Houfy. These guidelines ensure that your property photos are professional, appealing, and compliant with our platform standards, helping you attract more guests and achieve successful bookings.
Members of the Houfy services acknowledge and agree to comply with our Photo Guidelines when listing a property on Houfy. These policies are incorporated by reference into, and governed by the Terms of Service or other similar written agreement between you (Member) and Houfy Inc.
Our Core Values
- Put our members first — We prioritize the needs and experiences of both property owners and guests.
- Ensure secure bookings — We maintain a safe and trustworthy platform for all transactions.
- Professional environment — We foster a professional community focused on quality service.
- Quality accommodations — We promote high standards for vacation rental properties.
Important Notice
Houfy reserves the right to remove any photos that violate our guidelines.
Violations may result in reduced visibility or removal from search results.
Severe or repeated violations may result in complete removal from the platform.
Photo Requirements
To ensure your property photos look professional and attract potential guests, please follow these technical requirements and best practices.
Technical Requirements
Display Optimization
Desktop Display
Horizontal photos (landscape style) display the best and are recommended.
Mobile Display
Vertical photos (portrait style) are accepted but not recommended.
Important Note About Image Scaling
If you scale an image up in size, the resolution goes down = more pixelation. Always start with high-resolution original photos rather than enlarging smaller images.
Photography Best Practices
Prohibited Content
To maintain a safe, professional, and legal platform for all users, certain types of content are strictly prohibited. Violating these guidelines may result in immediate removal of content and potential account penalties.
Photos that violate our policies & guidelines might contain:
Inappropriate Content
Nudity, sexual content, or any explicit imagery.
Violent or Dangerous
Content depicting violence, weapons, or illegal activities.
Enforcement & Consequences
Warning
The violating content will be removed immediately.
Temporary Suspension
Your account will be temporarily disabled for review.
Permanent Ban
Severe or repeated violations will result in permanent account closure.
Reporting Violations
- Use the "Report" button on any listing or photo
- Contact our support team directly at support@houfy.com
- Provide specific details about the violation
- Include screenshots or links when possible
Staying Compliant
- Only upload photos you own or have permission to use
- Ensure all content is appropriate for a general audience
- Respect privacy rights of all individuals
- Review these guidelines regularly as they may be updated
- When in doubt, contact our support team for clarification
Content Guidelines
All photos must comply with copyright laws and our content standards. Understanding these guidelines helps protect both you and the Houfy platform.
Copyright Requirements
- Photos you took yourself
- Photos you have explicit written permission to use
- Photos in the public domain
- Photos with appropriate Creative Commons licensing
Important: Review our copyright and trademark policy for detailed information about intellectual property rights.
✅ Acceptable Photos
- Original photos taken by you
- Photos with proper licensing or permission
- Professional photos commissioned by you
- Stock photos with commercial license
❌ Unacceptable Photos
- Photos copied from other websites
- Photos from other vacation rental listings
- Watermarked photos without permission
- Photos with visible copyright notices
Legal Compliance
Houfy reserves the right to remove photographs that violate:
Houfy also suspends members who upload media that violates these policies.
Best Practice Recommendation
When in doubt about photo rights, it's always best to take your own photos or hire a professional photographer. This ensures you have full rights to use the images and provides the most accurate representation of your property.
Quality Standards
Photos should be relevant to the listing represented and of respectable quality. High-quality photos not only comply with our guidelines but also significantly improve your property's appeal to potential guests.
Photos That May Be Removed
Blurry or low-resolution images
Images that are unclear or pixelated reduce the appeal of your listing.
Irrelevant or misleading photos
Photos not related to your listing may be removed.
Watermarked or branded images
Avoid using images with watermarks or logos.
Quality Best Practices
Use natural lighting
Shoot during the day with plenty of sunlight for brighter photos.
Show key amenities
Highlight features like pools, kitchens, and views.
Stage the space
Tidy up and arrange furniture to make rooms look inviting.
Photo Relevance
All photos must be directly relevant to the listing represented. This means:
- Photos should show actual spaces, amenities, and features available to guests
- Exterior photos should show the actual property building and surroundings
- Amenity photos should accurately represent what guests will have access to
- Avoid using stock photos or images from other properties
Professional Tip
Consider hiring a professional photographer or using a high-quality camera with good lighting. Quality photos are one of the most important factors in attracting bookings and can significantly increase your property's booking rate.
Need Help?
If you have questions about these guidelines or need assistance with your listing, we're here to help. Explore our resources below or contact our support team.
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Quick Tips
- •Keep your listing details up to date.
- •Use high-quality images for maximum impact.
- •Respond to guest inquiries quickly.