The Instant Book pre-booking message feature is returning

[Emilie]

As part of our Winter Release 2022, we shared changes that we are making to Instant Book requirements, including the removal of the pre-booking message. 

We read your questions, feedback, and concerns around the removal of this message and shared it with our product team. 

Because of your feedback, the pre-booking message feature will be returned to Instant Booking settings starting today, December 12th. You’ll find it on your desktop view first, and it will return in your mobile app in the coming weeks. Guests will automatically see your message in the booking experience starting today. If you previously had a pre-booking message required, the same message will appear back in your settings. No action will be needed from you. 

With each release and update, we spend time listening to our Hosts, and thank you for your continued support, constructive feedback and partnership here in the Community Center.

Thanks,

Emilie

[Brian1082]

That's wonderful. Thank you 😊 

[Justine275]

Thank you. Still waiting for correction so only guests with reviews are considered having “a good track record…”

[Emilie]

@Justine275 The “Good track record” requirement only allows guests who have stayed on Airbnb without incidents or negative reviews, so they do need to have a review already. Guests that have recently broken Airbnb policies—or house rules set by Hosts—don't qualify as having a good track record. You can read more about Airbnb’s verification process here.

I hope this helps!

Emilie

[Justine275]

That’s great news! I’ve heard from other hosts that they had guests with zero reviews but a few Airbnb stays under their belt that were able to instant book. Is that a loophole?

[Trude0]

@Emilie: I see you write that “Good track record” means guests must have stayed, and do need to have a review. I recently had someone instant book who had apparently not stayed. Not only did he not have any reviews, he had the text “No trips yet” in his profile. I assume this was a glitch then, that this guest should not have been able to book.

I’m happy for the return of the pre-booking message, for those who have been missing it. I have not been too focused on that particular feature.

I’m more concerned about the fact that Airbnb sets the requirements for IB so low. Why is it enough to have stayed only once,  without “incidents or negative reviews”?  Why so eager to let just anyone go ahead and instant book? Do you really think this will bring Airbnb so many more bookings, that it is worth making hosts feel uneasy? And, as an effect, turn off IB? Counterproductive?

Why not set the bar a little higher; guests should have minimum 3 good reviews/recommendations from other hosts? If your aim is to increase instant booking, then I think you need to get more hosts to allow IB. Setting the requirements for IB guests slightly higher is likely to have that effect.

My IB stays off for now.

[Gillian166]

@Trude0   I turned mine back on last night and got a booking from a newbie. It’s not a glitch. They are letting anyone book and “good track record” is looking pretty dubious  imho.

[Sally10]

HiTrudeo 

That is exactly how I feel.  have never done instant booking .I want to vet who stays in my home . But I would think its obvious airbnb gets so many more booking I'm sure id love to see the numbers . No IB  for me unless the bar was raised quite high. 

[Alexandra85]

Same thing happened to me - no reviews, no stays while I require those to instant book. I did not double check and ended up with an 18-19 yr. old student who broke every rule in the Airbnb book and tried with their constant guest to squat and scam me. If you are concerned, do not allow instant book. Airbnb cannot be trusted to support you and your property. The support system is outside of the US, have limited English skills and know nothing of local laws in your area. Proceed with caution - I am a super host who learned the hard way.

[Laurelle3]

@Emilie Great news about message on instant booking. Things are looking up, that are voices are being heard with the help from the admin team trying to work with us. Thank you 

[Adriano78]

@Emilie  hi, very good news but  previously i  had a pre-booking message required but  this message today 12 december still does not  appear back in my settings

[Robbie54]

@Adriano78 read Emilie's message again, it will explain why it's not back in your settings yet👍

[Adriano78]

@Robbie54  the pre-booking message feature will be returned to Instant Booking settings starting today, December 12th. You’ll find it on your desktop view first

[Robbie54]

@Adriano78 I assumed you were looking on your mobile device, not your desktop. Maybe leave it until tomorrow then check your desktop again, let us know if it's back on tomorrow 👍

[Emilie]

@Robbie54 You beat me to it!

@Adriano78 Where were you looking, if you don't mind me asking? Desktop view or mobile view? it should be back in the former from today, and will return in the latter in the coming weeks. Let me know if there's still something not quite right and I'll try to find out more. 🙂

Emilie