I feel fortunate that we had so much already on the books before this launch. Not to sounds like a braggart, but our two properties led our small market prior to this launch. We have had no new guests book since it happened, only repeats. That is concerning.
Also of concern, is that Airbnb seems to think their AI for the categories has fully populated them, but if that is true that means there are almost no Amazing Views or Chef’s Kitchens in NC. I know that is not the case. However, Gatlinburg, hours away from us is actively being promoted to our guests. Not to be dramatic, but they say they are trying to help smaller, less populated markets, but I don’t see how this could be the case, as the categories seem largely populated with major markets.
Maybe guests will start to catch on that they aren’t finding properties where they want using the categories and just not use them, but that seems a shame. Meanwhile this weeklong stay default doesn’t work very well.
I have though of changing from a 12 month booking window just so it will stop offering dates in winter, as I have weeks I need to fill in June and July right now. Also, in the mountains most people wait until closer to date of arrival to book so they can monitor the snow and road conditions. If I change to a 3 month window the AI might ding me for limiting the window but at least guests won’t be shown dates I am almost certain they will not book.
Let’s all use the feedback feature on platform and give constructive feedback to Airbnb. Mine is to get rid o f this weeklong default as it actually discourages booking by often showing some of the least desirable weeks for a property and it puts properties who have a lot of openings many times with bad ratings at the top of the search because they have a lot of open time on the calendar. Meanwhile well rated properties are at the bottom of the search.
I also think it should stop showing properties so far out of the scope. I searched for a stay next week and chose Design as a category. I was shown properties a couple hundred miles away which is fine, but then right next to those are places in South Africa, which is interesting but not at all helpful and I suspect I am not alone in thinking that creates too many properties for me to wade through in places there is little likelihood I will visit next week. If anything you should be able to filter how far you are willing to travel or if you are willing to fly so narrow the search results.
Only showing properties that have a 2 night minimum for weekends when the weekend filter is used is a problem too. If you have a Friday and Saturday available it would help Airbnb and hosts that you show up in the search, but right now only places with a 2-night minimum do. A lot of markets only book weekends so 3-nights is how we make the most of the limited season.
Both categories and I’m Flexible calendar options are a good idea, but how they are used is too narrow and needs refining.