Airbnb should incorporates the 95th percentile system into the calculation.
What does that mean?
Airbnb would only consider the best 95 reviews out of 100.
To make it simple, if you have:
- 100 reviews, 5 of the worst would NOT be included in your rate.
- 60 reviews, 3 of the worst would NOT be included in your rate.
- 40 reviews, 2 of the worst would NOT be included in your rate.
- 20 reviews, 1 of the worst would NOT be included in your rate.
So basically you have an average of 4.8* after 20 reviews... and the next guest give you a 3*.
Right now, you would fall from 4.8* to 4.71* in a minute... just because *1* single stay gave you a 3*... imagine anything worse, like a 2* or 1*...
With the 95th percentile system, that review would be ignored and you would keep your 4.8*
So every 20 reviews you can have one of your worst review removed. We use this formula in different mathematics to see the real "normal" use, without any brutal change (up or down, as it can be applied both ways)
Of course, Airbnb could find it confusing... but if it's part of the calculation, nobody will see it and you would always have a review reflected by your rates, or simply a better one. Who is asking questions when things are positives?
I can be wrong...