Video Guidelines

Last revised: 03/25/2025

We recognize how important it is that our platform provides a safe environment for everyone in the travel community, and that the contributions on our site provide useful and relevant guidance that helps travelers plan their trips.

All accepted and posted videos must meet these requirements. The Video Guidelines (“Video Guidelines”) cover the rules for video submissions uploaded or shared to Expedia Group. Please note that these Video Guidelines may be modified from time to time, so you’re encouraged to check back for updates.

What’s included

Key requirements License and rights to publicity of content Creative guidelines Video structure Dos and don’ts Prohibited content

Key requirements

Relevant to other travelers

All videos must have relevance to a hotel or vacation rental accommodation from Expedia, Hotels.com, or Vrbo.

Video acceptance limit

Only one video per property is accepted. If we’ve already accepted one, we won’t accept another for the same property.

Video duration

Videos should be 10-30 seconds, with a maximum of 40 seconds.

Video format

We can only accept videos in .mp4 and .mov formats.

Audio

Refrain from including music, voiceovers, or other sound effects. Expedia Group may remove or replace audio on accepted video submissions.

Video file size

File size can’t exceed 500 MB.

Video resolution

The video resolution should be 1080 x 1920 pixels or higher and have a minimum frame rate of 30 FPS (frames per second). Expedia Group does not support 4K or higher resolutions. If you upload a 4K video, it will be compressed and cropped.

Video orientation

All clips must be filmed in portrait mode (9:16).

License and rights to publicity of content

License and rights to publicity of content:

By submitting a video of any kind, you hereby grant to Expedia Group and its affiliates a nonexclusive, royalty free, fully paid, worldwide, perpetual, irrevocable, transferable and fully sublicensable (through multiple tiers) right and license to: (1) use, copy, reproduce, modify, adapt, publish, translate, create derivative works from, distribute, and publicly display and perform all Video posted or submitted to Expedia Group by you (whether before or after the posting of these Video Guidelines) throughout the world for any purpose in any media or form now known or hereafter devised. For any voice, image or likeness of any individual in your video, you hereby grant to Expedia Group a nonexclusive, royalty free, fully paid, worldwide, perpetual, irrevocable, transferable, and fully sublicensable (through multiple tiers) right and license.

Ownership

Upon Expedia Group’s acceptance of your video, you hereby transfer all rights, title and interest in and to your video to Expedia Group.

Creative guidelines

Create engaging and informative videos showcasing unique aspects of the property and surroundings.

Videos should be:

Inspiring

Highlighting the experience of exploring new places

Positive

Warm and inviting, reflecting the spirit of those who explore

Contemporary

Offering modern, elevated travel experiences rooted in culture

Human

Capturing candid, authentic travel moments, with the property and surroundings as the hero

Natural

Immersive and real, with an on-the-go feel

Connected

Showcasing the connection between people and places

Crafted

Thoughtfully considered and elevated

Video structure

Videos should primarily feature the property but may also include surrounding areas and activities.

Hotel + amenities

Include at least 2–3 areas such as exterior, landscape, views, interior, lobby, lounge, rooms, or suites. Also, feature amenities like pools, gyms, and dining.

Activities

Highlight activities such as yoga, spa, and cultural tours.

Example video structure

Focus the majority of the video (70% or more) on the property and 30% or less on activities. Activities can be included but are not a requirement.

70%

Hotel exterior

Room interior

Amenities

30%

Activities

Video quality

Using a phone to capture videos

Clean your lens to avoid unwanted smudges or dust
Use high quality settings on your phone
Make the space look organized, ensuring it doesn’t appear too lived-in. Remove any unnecessary or personal items
Use smooth, steady movements to avoid shaky shots
Use plenty of natural light (avoid dark or backlit shots)
Keep the phone orientation consistent
Limit using phone zoom to avoid degrading quality

Video media should not be:

Low resolution, blurry, or pixelated
Graphically filtered with overlays, borders, or artistic effects
Too dark or light
Black and white or sepia
Sideways, upside down, or otherwise improperly rotated
Overly filtered or use HDR
Composed of still images or photographs

Dos and don’ts

Property focus

Videos should focus on the Expedia Group property while reflecting your experience at the property. Think of it as showcasing the stay rather than creating a personal reel.

Aim for at least 70% of your video to highlight the property, featuring at least 2–3 distinct areas.

DO: Keep the focus on property features and amenities.

DON'T: Make people the primary subject of the video.

Single-shot vs montage

Film 2-3 key areas of the property, like the exterior, rooms, dining, or pool, along with activities like yoga or spa. Combine them to showcase a variety of experiences. Keep your video steady and well-paced, with smooth transitions between scenes.

DO: Use an array of clips that can depict multiple rooms, sections, or vibes of a property.

DON’T: Use a solitary clip that depicts a single moment, room, section, or vibe of a property.

Perspectives

Capture the different aspects of the stay from a variety of angles and distances.

DO: Capture first person, third person, at eye level, from above, from far away and up close angles.

DON’T: Capture at extreme angles like 360s, inverted angles, etc. Refrain from using distorted lens like fisheye. Refrain from using transitions.

People

We love to see candid, authentic travel moments. When shooting, use discretion with people or self. Always be respectful of people’s privacy.

Selfies

While showing self in video is okay, refrain from including too many selfies. This isn’t a personal reel.

Crowds

Crowd shots are okay, but refrain from focusing on individuals, especially those you do not know. Anonymity is great. Shooting crowds from behind is good.

Minors

Those under the age of 18 should not be included.

DO: Capture people, but keep the destination as the hero.

DON’T: Include too many selfies or identifiable people.

Typography and graphics

While we do not allow text, logos, graphics, watermarks, transitions, or emojis, contextual text such as location, hotel/property name, or hotel/property type is okay.

Examples can include:

Hilton Hotel, Bora Bora
Atlanta, Georgia
The Anvaya Beach Resort Bali
Palm Springs Hotel, Palm Springs, California
Venice Beach

Also refrain from including claims that are not hotel or destination specific like “best hotel” or “this is the most beautiful hotel.”

Fonts you can use on:

Instagram - Classic, editor, poster, elegant, literature
TikTok - Classic, bold, elegance, serif, luxury, script

DO: Use only black-and-white text with overlays for better legibility.

DON’T: Use curvy, unique, or handwritten text. Avoid strokes around text and skewed typography.

Lighting and color

Use natural light whenever possible and aim to shoot in clear, well-lit weather conditions. Avoid artificial lighting like spotlights, ring lights, or professional video lighting that alters the natural brightness of the space.

DO: Use natural light when available, and proper ambient lighting for indoor & evening shots.

DON’T: Use HDR or footage that is too dark or too bright.

DO: Capture visuals in natural colors for an authentic view of the property and its surroundings.

DON’T: Use overly stylized filters, colors, or effects.

Activities

Some hotels may offer activities or partner with businesses. Highlight hotel activities and the destination’s nature and culture, like yoga, hikes, boat tours and cultural tours.

Where applicable, incorporate reasonable safety equipment (e.g., helmets) to address the risk of viewer who try and copy what they see.

DO: Highlight activities found at hotel like yoga, pool/spa, recreational, and hotel partner business and activities like boat tours, cultural tours, etc.

DON’T: Show animal tours, unsafe or illegal activities (i.e., misuse of safety equipment in adventure activities, hiking in dangerous places, skiing out-of-bounds, etc.).

Food and dining

Food is a great passion for travelers but avoid showcasing too much food and beverages. Hotel dining rooms are okay but remember the destination/property is the hero.

Creators and all others in the video must be (or appear to be) 21 years of age or older if alcohol is featured. Alcohol in a bar or restaurant is okay, refrain from alcohol in casinos. Avoid promoting overconsumption by limiting alcoholic drinks to 1 per person featured (empty or full).

DO: Highlight dining experience during stay, dining atmosphere, seating, location within hotel, popular and cultural foods, room service and in-room food perks.

DON’T: Show close-ups that miss the broader dining experience, refrain from showcasing just food in video, be mindful of alcohol consumption and locations.

Crafted and aspirational

Make spaces look their best by keeping them inviting and well-presented. Avoid mess, clutter, or anything that feels too lived-in.

DO: Ensure locations are elevated and bring out the best of the property.

DON’T: Show clutter or an overly lived-in look, such as messy beds or scattered personal items.

We do not accept videos that include

We strive to create a safe, helpful, and inclusive platform for everyone. By avoiding these prohibited elements, you contribute to a positive and welcoming community for all travelers.

Explicit content

Nudity, sexual acts, graphic violence, drug use, or excessive alcohol consumption.

Discriminatory content

Hate speech, racism, sexism, xenophobia, harassment, bullying.

Illegal activity

Violation of local laws or Expedia policies.

Unsafe practices

Risky behavior, dangerous stunts, or illegal activities.

Private information

Unintentional exposure of others' identity without consent, including faces, license plates, or addresses.

Promotional content

Direct advertising of Expedia competitor products or services.

Misrepresentation

Intentionally misleading viewers about the property or surrounding area.

Impersonation

Attempts to impersonate another person, account, or entity, including Expedia representatives.

Minors

Videos of guests under the age of 18 will be excluded.

Infringement of intellectual property and proprietary rights

Content that infringes the intellectual property or other proprietary rights of others. Only submit your own content or content that you have permission to use. For example, unless you have obtained permission from all relevant third parties, do not play music or include images, artwork, or other audiovisual works in your video(s). Anyone featured in the video should avoid prominently visible branding on clothes, jewelry, or accessories if you don't have permission from the brand owner.

Confidential information

Any personally identifiable information about others, including full names, addresses, contact information, credit card numbers or other personally identifying information should not be displayed in the video.

Irrelevant titles

Video captions containing irrelevant information to the property listing type, style, or experience.

Fraudulent information

Video content showcasing fraudulent, false, misleading, or deceptive information.

External links

Video content with URLs, phone numbers, or calls to action.

Property access

Videos containing specific information about accessing the property such as door codes, key locations, or exact addresses for vacation rental properties.

Branding & tagging celebrities

References to or footage containing other brands and logos, especially logos or branding for other travel agencies or Expedia Group competitors should not be displayed. #Hashtags with brand, celebrity or product names or tagging third-party companies or celebrities without prior agreement.

Alcohol and alcohol consumption

Do not encourage, feature, or refer to behaviors that suggest irresponsible drinking.
Do not encourage excessive consumption.
Do not show alcohol more than what might be reasonably served to those in the video (i.e., one drink per person, no magnums for just 1-2 people, etc.)
Do not disparage abstinence from alcoholic beverages.
Do not show products by alcohol manufacturers or distributors.

Expedia Group’s logos

Use of Expedia Group's intellectual property (such as logos and service names) except Expedia Group Credit Cards unless you have received our express written consent.

Prices and promotions

Videos containing prices, promotional information, discount claims, or time-sensitive information.

Still images in video

Videos comprised of still images in a slideshow or montage.

Symbols or emojis

Listing titles containing symbols or emojis.

Terms & conditions

Video Guidelines