I was posting to a conversation on Facebook and thought I would paste the comment here as the information still stands.
Yes, please give feedback. I will be pasting this into the community conversation on platform as well.
I do think Airbnb has a great concept here but so far the roll out has been less than stellar. I manage properties in smaller markets in 3 different states. Our views are WAY down, so this idea of directing people to less populate areas does not seem to be working well.
When I search my own area I am directed to a major market hours away. Our bookings have slowed to a crawl.
When I look at views for “similar listings” in our area they are also down.
When I search and use the new categories searching the area of NC where our main listings are it shows 2 listings and then takes you hours away to a major market in TN.
When I searched for a trip for next week it was suggesting trips 279 miles away from where I am, which is fine, but also as far as Africa. Seriously too far and there is no way to limit the scope of the miles you are willing to travel or if you are willing to fly.
The way I see it, the categories are a great way for people to easily narrow the field of choices based on what they are interested in or the way they travel. It could make travel easier. After overwhelming choice can be paralyzing. There are many studies that bear this out.
As things stand right now you would have to wade through even more listings on different continents. Cool if you are curious and traveling by checking out listing. Not too cool if you actually are planning a trip. Serious travelers have already made the decision of where and if they haven’t there is an easier way to help them consider new places. I know I would be much less inclined to do all the work required of this new landing page.
As a matter of fact the trip we were planning for next week, on whim, probably won’t pan out just because it seems too hard. Not good.
Constructive Suggestions:
1) allow user to drawn a circle on the map, like you can in Google Maps, to limit the scope of the search area when looking at a category.
2) remove the one week default setting. It is confusing and implies there are no other weeks until those dates at the listing you are viewing. (I was shown dates in January for our properties. We have many other weeks including one two weeks from now I would love to fill.)
3) Allow hosts to opt into these categories. Time and reviews will sort it all out. That way it could be populated more quickly and possibly just as accurately. Maybe Design could be vetted, but then it seems a lot like Plus but without the non-compete.
4) Add the number of total reviews back to that landing page. It is useful information.
5) Do not allow the algorithm to select photos that are not in play by the host. (It selected my utility wall on the back of my house with HVAC in the center of the screen as my lead image.)
6) Add glass houses as a category. (Selfish, but that is what I look for and no one makes that easy to find.)
I’m sure I will have more, but this is a start.
IMO it is a good concept but should have been tested better and fully populated before rolling out, as this seems frustrating on the hosting side and the guest side.
