We can confirm what Trinette and Chris are saying about this search change/bug is true.
We also live in the Sebastopol, CA area... and our listing has always appeared in that general search near the top. Now it does not appear *at all* in that same search (despite our having a perfect 100% 5-star guest rating, like Trinette, with 100% rave reviews). We too have noticed a big drop in our bookings in the last few months (presumably since this change was made).
Looking at the map that accompanies a search under “Sebastopol”, it’s immediately clear that they are now strictly limiting the results to the actual town limits (they are probably using some geofencing service). This appears to be the case not just for our area. Why do some towns / cities use a wider mapping area to show listings for general search and why do some towns use a very small mapping area excluding so many of the listings nearby for an area?
If we do a general search for “Sebastopol, CA” we do not appear at all in the search results. This is very troubling because Airbnb *must* be aware that people looking to stay in prized vacation areas like Wind Country often look first for *places* that appeal to them, rather than necessarily dates. This is not a hotel/business community, it is one where people go to celebrate special occasions with special people (and of course to taste wine). In our part of the County, it is vacation and tourism.
If we do a “three night date search” for specific dates for “Sebastopol, CA”, we are the very first listing in the search.
Why does the search omit us for a general search or using a filter search, but shows our listing only when searching for specific dates? It seems to be taking a wider search result on the map if dates are used and a very narrow search result on the map if a general search is done without dates. This does not make sense.
This change makes no sense -- business or otherwise. It is really affecting our bookings (and our ability to be successful hosts). It's not good for guests either: they are being deprived of the opportunity to choose from some of the most desirable properties that are actually available, like ours and Trinette and Chris's.
I hope that Airbnb will take this issue seriously and correct this as soon as possible, it is really impacting our income and ability to be successful hosts in our area in a negative way.