Connectivity Partner Handbook: Content API - Photos ProductLast updated: October 2018

Topics covered1. Why are we changing the way

photos are updated?2. What is the Photos product?3. How will it benefit me and my

properties?4. What’s changing?5. How can I get started?

Why are we changing the way photos are updated?

slide titleUntil now, the only way to update property photos on the Content API has been via ‘overlay’. This means that any time a new photo is added, it overwrites big chunks of data – even for small updates.

This can cause several problems...

1. Unclear upload statusWith an overlay set-up, you can’t see whether photos have uploaded.

If the upload fails, it’s also hard to work out why.

Any time you update content via an overlay-based API, the property’s entire content is sent through the API.

This increases the risk of information being deleted – something that not only has an impact on the customer, but also lowers the property’s content score.

2. Possible loss of data

3. Inconsistent user experience

With an overlay-based API, as a Connectivity Partner, you can’t download your properties’ photos to upload to your own platform.

What is the Photos product?

Easy updates to room information

Rate Plan Simple management of your

properties’ rate plans

Rate Assignment Quick room and rate information updates

Property Information

Full control of all property information

It’s one of the Content API’s productsWith this API, you can choose the products that suit your needs

Manage Property Status

Comprehensive overview of all your properties’ status

PhotosEasy and reliable

photo management

Property Registration Fast upload of property details

to go live on Booking.com

Independent Registration FlowSimultaneous set-up on the

Booking.com extranet and your own

NEW! NEW!

Room Details

1.Add photos to the

queue to be uploaded on Booking.com

2.Check status of previously sent

requests

What can you do with Photos?

3.Retrieve unique

photo_ID (to be used for further operations)

4.Retrieve the metadata

of the photo

5.Delete photos

6.Add or remove photos

from the gallery

7.Retrieve the full list of

photos from the gallery

8.Specify main photo

for a gallery

9.Change the order of photos in a gallery

How will it benefit me and my properties?

Benefits for you

● Full control over property content. Adding and removing individual elements means less chance content will be lost

● Improved technology. We’re moving to JSON from XML and OTA_standard. This faster language makes implementation easier

● A more attractive platform. Faster onboarding and accurate photo management will make your system more appealing to new properties

Benefits for your properties

● Control over photos. Properties can choose how their photos appear on Booking.com

● Ease of use. They can add, delete and change photos quickly and reliably

● More bookings. Easy bulk upload lets properties reach a 100% content score faster. This can increase bookings by up to 18%

What’s changing?

Now Before ● Photo updates follow OTA standard language (written

in XML).

● For all content updates, the property’s entire content is sent through the API, meaning a risk of information deleted.

● Overlay is the only functionality supported.

● No way of seeing if photos have been successfully uploaded.

● When photos fail to upload, no reason is provided.

● You can’t download photos, so you can’t get an overview of your properties’ content.

● Photos product is written in JSON – a faster, more flexible language.

● Photos can be uploaded individually or in batches, without running the risk of other information being lost.

● Multiple functionalities are supported.

● You can check status of previous photo requests.

● When photos fail to upload, it’s easy to see why.

● You can download photo thumbnails and map them against your properties’ current content.

I’m new to the Content APIWelcome onboard! Within the Content API there are 8 different products, so you can choose the functions most relevant to your business. Each product is designed for a specific use, such as updating property photos. Find out more in the Connectivity Partner Help Centre and to set up the product.

What do I do if...

I’m using already other Content API productsWe’re happy to hear you’re interested in allowing your properties to update their photos too. As you are already familiar with how the Content API works, we suggest you read through the documentation and get in touch with your Account Manager or our Connectivity Support team at connectivity@booking.com to get started.

I’ve already implemented overlayThat’s fine – Photos product is just an alternative solution to overlay, our current way of updating photos. Our APIs will continue to support overlay, but we won’t be making any improvements to this area – so we strongly encourage you to consider migrating to Photos product to avoid issues in the future.

Getting started● Understand the API: read

through the specification and check the endpoints you’ll need to develop.

● Test the integration with a test property.

● Share your feedback about the integration (by accessing the partner portal).

Thank you!

All references to “Booking.com", including any mention of “us”, “we” and “our” refer to Booking.com BV, the company behind Booking.com™