Last year when CEO and Head of Community Brian Chesky was thinking of new ways to connect with hosts, he decided that several times a year he’d field top-voted host questions in a livestreamed Q&A session.
After receiving an overwhelming 11,579 questions for the inaugural Host Q&A last November, a lot has happened. In February, we had the biggest launch in our ten-year history, and naturally, hosts had a ton of questions about how these new updates will affect how they host. So we reconvened for the second Host Q&A event a few days later, and this time Brian and London-based Superhost Rebecca addressed questions focused on the recent launch.
Click each question to watch Brian’s answer or read a short summary below.
1. What are the benefits of the new Superhost program? Can you give more details?
Summary: In addition to the existing Superhost benefits (Superhost filter on search, profile badge, early access to products, $100 travel voucher, faster support, invitations to launch events, and more exposure and visibility), we’ll be rolling out additional benefits throughout the rest of 2018 like custom URLs for your listings, access to tax preparation support for U.S. hosts, and more. To learn about all of the new benefits in detail, visit airbnb.com/superhost.
2. Is it harder to become a Superhost now?
Summary: While it is slightly harder to become a Superhost, what’s making it harder is a very minor change. Beginning in July, we’re requiring an overall rating of 4.8 instead of 80% five-star reviews to become a Superhost so that the requirements for the Superhost program are consistent with Plus, Collections, and more.
3. What’s the difference between Airbnb Plus and Superhost?
Summary: Superhosts are hosts who have been recognized for providing great hospitality. Airbnb Plus also recognizes great hospitality and on top of that, Plus features homes that pass a 100-point, in-person inspection that verify the listing for quality and comfort.
4. How do I qualify for Airbnb Plus?
Summary: To qualify for Airbnb Plus, you must have a 4.8 rating, 95% acceptance rate, and no cancellations in the past year. Additionally, Plus hosts must pass a 100-point inspection to ensure your listing is comfortable, cohesive, and thoughtfully designed. Learn more about Plus by visiting airbnb.com/plus/host.
5. Why is there a fee to apply to Plus?
Summary: The one-time, non-refundable fee of $149 is intended to help cover the cost of your in-person home visit and personalized home report. Additionally, we’re investing in hosts that complete the verification process and join Airbnb Plus by providing professional photography, editorial tips on how to best describe their listing, and access to premium customer support.
6. How do I make sure my listing is categorized correctly?
Summary: To make sure your listing is categorized correctly, visit https://www.airbnb.com/hosting/listings to update your listing information.
Summary: Yes, we’d love to hear your suggestions for new categories. Submit your ideas by going to airbnb.com/feedback.
8. How do you determine who’s included in a Collection?
Summary: Being included in a Collection is based of off certain criteria specific to that particular Collection. Often, you can automatically be included in a Collection. For example, if you have a 4.8 overall rating, five-star reviews from families, Wifi, TV, an entire home with a full kitchen, and house rules suitable for children, you’ll be placed in the Family Collection.
9. Can I be part of multiple Collections?
Summary: Yes, Collections are not mutually exclusive and you can be part of many different Collections if you meet the requirements.
10. Can Airbnb separate personal home listings from professionally managed listings?
Summary: Professionally managed listings is a wide spectrum that often includes people hosting in their personal homes. Categorization is designed to make sure guests can find what is unique about your home. We are continually evolving categorization so we can ensure your home shows up for guests looking for a place like yours.
11. How will we know if guests are Superguests? Will we see any additional information about them?
Summary: Superguests will receive a badge on their profile and they’ll also be sharing additional information on their profile about who they are.
12. Airbnb is constantly pushing me to lower my price. Why?
Summary: While we know that you can set the price of your listing better than anyone, we also have hundreds of millions of data points to help guide your pricing. Our suggestions, are just that—suggestions. It’s our goal to help you earn as much income as possible by hosting, not less.
13. What are you doing to help better manage guests’ expectations before they book my listing?
Summary: By launching categories, we’re working towards matching you with guests that are looking for the type of amenities your home offers and better surfacing these amenities in search. The better job we do matching, the better we can help manage those expectations.
Onward and upward
After the first Host Q&A we started to think—what’re we going to do with all of the other questions that Brian didn’t get a chance to answer? Well, you’ll notice in this month’s Host News newsletter that we recently launched Airbnb Answers to help address more of your questions.
Even though we won’t be able to get to each and every one of your questions, please do know that your questions and feedback are being routed to the correct team to ensure your voice is heard.
See you next time!
