How to Monetize a Travel Blog in 2025 with Stay22

Introduction

Running a travel blog is rewarding, but incredibly hard. As the founder of NavigatorNick.com, a trusted travel resource since 2017, my mission is to inspire travelers and help them create unforgettable experiences. With 20,000 monthly impressions and a highly engaged audience, I’ve built a platform that connects with adventurers worldwide.

However, passion alone won’t pay for your next flight. If you want to turn page views into profit, the 2025 landscape offers smarter tools than traditional banner ads or scattered affiliate links.

One of the most effective is Stay22, a free platform that lets you embed interactive accommodation maps, generate AI‑driven links, and keep 30 %+ of the commission split—on par with (or better than) Booking.com, Expedia, and other OTAs. (stay22.com)

In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how to monetize a travel blog using Stay22—from setup to advanced optimization—while staying in Google’s good graces with smart SEO.

1. Why Choose Stay22 Over Traditional Affiliates?

• All‑in‑One Monetization Suite

Stay22 bundles interactive maps, ListView tables, pop‑ups (Nova), “Let Me Allez” auto‑links, and AI‑powered geotargeting into one dashboard. Instead of juggling multiple affiliate dashboards, you get real‑time reporting in a single place. 

• Competitive 30 %+ Commission Split

While individual OTAs typically offer 25 %–30 % of their commission, Stay22’s baseline split starts at 30 % and can scale as your traffic grows. Plus, they pay out once a month, after your minimum payout is achieved.

• 35 M+ Properties, Flights & Experiences

Because Stay22 partners with major OTAs—Booking, Expedia, VRBO, TripAdvisor, KAYAK, Agoda—you can monetize virtually every destination and even earn on flights and tours.

• Mobile‑First Conversions

A 2025 update added a mobile booking button that lifts conversions by sending users directly to the best OTA for their device, dates, and location.

Bottom line: Stay22 consolidates multiple revenue streams into a single, friction‑free layer—perfect for bloggers who value efficiency.

2. Getting Started: Account Setup & Essential Settings

1. Sign Up & Verify Your Site

   • Use your domain email for quicker approval.

2. Add the Global Script

   • Paste the Stay22 JS snippet just before your closing </body> tag:

<script src="https://www.stay22.com/embed/gmscript.js?AID=YOUR_AID"></script>

3. Generate Your First Map

   • In the dashboard, click “Create Map.” Choose a destination, default dates, and preferred hotel category. Stay22 outputs an <iframe> you can paste anywhere:

<iframe
  loading="lazy"
  src="https://www.stay22.com/embed/gm?address=Tokyo&checkIn=2025-09-10&checkOut=2025-09-15&AID=YOUR_AID"
  style="width:100%;height:600px;border:0;"
></iframe>

4. Turn On “Let Me Allez”

   • This AI feature scans posts for accommodation names and auto‑converts them into commissionable links—hands‑free.

5. Customize Colors & Fonts

   • Match the widget to your brand palette for seamless UX.

3. SEO Foundations That Super‑Charge Stay22 Income

 

Remember: Traffic × Conversion Rate × Commission = Revenue.

SEO drives the traffic part.

Keyword Research & Clustering

• Use tools like Keyword Planner or Ahrefs to target “where to stay in X,” “best hotels near Y,” “X accommodation guide.” These location+intent keywords convert unusually well because readers are ready to book.

On‑Page Optimization

1. One H1 per post containing your main keyword.

2. Short, descriptive URL slugs: /where-to-stay-kyoto.

3. Internal links to related guides (boosts topical authority).

4. Schema markup (Hotel, Place) for rich snippets.

Page Speed & Core Web Vitals

Stay22 scripts are optimized, but still lazy‑load maps below the fold to maintain an LCP < 2.5 s.

Localizing Content

Stay22’s geotargeting already redirects users to the best OTA, but you can amplify conversions by including currency switchers and local tips.

4. Content Ideas That Print Money

4.1 Destination Travel Guides – Like These

1. Format: 800–1,200 words + interactive map showing hotels & hostels.

2. Example H2: “Where to Stay in Lisbon on a Budget.”

3. Why it Works: Readers are mid‑funnel—they’ve chosen the city and are actively selecting accommodation.

4.2 Event & Festival Pages

Stay22’s map can pre‑filter dates for Tomorrowland, Oktoberfest, Coachella—huge booking spikes.

4.3 Multi‑Stop Itineraries

Include a Stay22 map or ListView under each day’s destination. Users can book nightly stays as they scroll.

4.4 Problem‑Solving Posts

“Hotels near Barcelona Cruise Port” targets urgent, last‑minute planners with massive conversion rates.”

Pro Tip: Combine Nova pop‑ups with scroll‑depth triggers to surface deals right as readers finish the section on lodging.