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How to Use Blackout Dates to Manage Your Availability

ByGraham Beck
Last updated: April 30, 2026•3 min read

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Graham Beck
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Graham Beck

Graham Beck is the Co-founder and CEO of DropDesk, a platform dedicated to a singular, transformative mission: unlocking the potential of underutilized spaces to foster human connection.

Graham Beck
Graham Beck

Graham Beck is the Co-founder and CEO of DropDesk, a platform dedicated to unlocking the potential of underutilized spaces to foster human connection.

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Quick Answer

If you need to temporarily stop accepting bookings for a holiday, vacation, or minor renovation, use the Blackout Dates feature in the DropDesk Spaces mobile app. Unlike unpublishing your venue—which hides your listing entirely—Blackout Dates block off specific days on your calendar while keeping your profile active and visible in search results for future bookings.

Blackout Dates vs. Unpublishing: Which Should You Use?

Before blocking your calendar, it is important to understand the difference between blacking out dates and manually unpublishing your venue. Choosing the wrong option can unnecessarily hurt your search visibility.

FeatureWhat It DoesSearch VisibilityBest Used For
Blackout Dates (Mobile App)Blocks specific days or date ranges on your calendar.High. Your listing stays live and visible in search results for future dates.Vacations, national holidays, private events, or short-term maintenance.
Unpublishing (Web App)Pauses the entire venue profile indefinitely.None. Your listing is completely hidden from the DropDesk platform.Long-term closures, major renovations, or pausing your business.

The Bottom Line: If you plan on welcoming guests back after a short break, always use Blackout Dates. It ensures you don't lose the SEO momentum your listing has built up.

How to Add New Blackout Dates

With just a few taps in the DropDesk Spaces mobile app, you can block off time and ensure no bookings are accepted during those periods.

Step 1: Access the Blackout Calendar

  1. Log in to the DropDesk Spaces mobile app.
  2. Navigate to your Activity Calendar.
  3. In the top right corner, tap the Calendar Icon to open your Blackout Dates section. (Here, you will see a list of any dates you have already blacked out).
DropDesk mobile app showing the Activity Calendar with the Calendar Icon in the top right, and a calendar picker for selecting blackout dates

Tap the Calendar Icon to access Blackout Dates, then select dates to block on the calendar.

Step 2: Select Your Dates

  1. Tap the "+" (Plus) icon in the top right corner. A calendar view will appear.
  2. Select the dates you want to block out by tapping on them. They will highlight in blue.

Note: You can choose a single day, or select a start and end date to seamlessly block off multiple days at once.

Step 3: Save

  1. Once you have selected your dates, tap Save.
  2. You will be redirected back to the Blackout page, where you can verify your updated list of blocked dates.

How to Remove a Blackout Date

Plans changed? No problem. If a previously blocked day opens up, you can easily restore your availability.

  1. Go to your Blackout Dates list in the mobile app.
  2. Tap and hold the date you would like to remove, then drag it to the left.
  3. A red Delete button will appear on the right side of the screen. Tap it.
  4. A confirmation pop-up will appear. Click OK.
  5. The date will instantly be removed from your blackout list, and your space will become available to book again for that time period.

Need Help?

The Blackout Dates feature gives you full control over your schedule while keeping your listing active and visible. If you ever need assistance managing your availability, our Support Team is always here to help.

Related Host Guides

  • The Ultimate Guide to Hosting on DropDesk
  • How to Update Your Host Profile
  • How to Add, Update, or Pause a Location
  • How to List Your Space, Service, or Activity
  • How to Use Keywords to Increase Visibility and Bookings
  • Understanding Advanced Package Features & Inventory Management
  • Venue vs. Package-Level Guest Instructions
  • Instant Bookings vs. Host Approved Bookings
  • How to View Messages & Approve Bookings
  • How to View & Manage Your Activity Calendar
  • Adding Short-Form Videos To Your Listings