How does Airbnb define "reliability"?

[René294]

Hi everyone,

I'm René from Berlin, Germany. I've been an Airbnb Superhost for nine years, and I have a question about the Top 1% / Top 5% ranking.

While looking into how Airbnb's percentile rankings work, I noticed that a listing apparently only needs a minimum of five reviews to qualify for the Top 1%, Top 5%, and similar categories.

At the same time, Airbnb says these rankings are based on ratings, reviews, and reliability.

That raises a question for me:

Is a listing with 5 stays and 5 five-star reviews really more "reliable" than a listing with a 4.97 rating based on more than 400 reviews?

To me, reliability is something that's demonstrated over a long period of time and across many successful stays -  not just after a handful of bookings.

I'd be interested to hear how other hosts see this. Should long-term consistency play a bigger role in the Top 1% / Top 5% rankings?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts. Looking forward to the discussion!

Best,

René

[René294]

What interests me isn't so much when Airbnb decides a listing qualifies for the Top 1%.

What I'm really wondering is what that label is supposed to represent.

When I see "Top 1% of homes" as a guest, I don't just think of a high rating. I also associate it with quality and reliability that have been proven over a long period of time.

A listing with five perfect reviews may have had an excellent start. But does that really demonstrate the same level of reliability as a listing with a 4.97 rating after more than 400 successful stays?

To me, those are two very different things.

That's why I'm curious how Airbnb defines "reliability" in this context.

[René294]

The real reason I started thinking about this is something I noticed with my own listing.

Over the years, my badge has moved back and forth between Top 5% and Top 1% several times.

During that time, my overall rating has hardly changed. In fact, I've even received additional 5-star reviews.

That makes me wonder whether these badges depend not only on a listing's own performance, but also on how all the other listings perform.

[Shelley159]

Yes it does @René294 , it ranks your listing vs all the others in "your area" (we don't know how large the area is).

That's why it can move even when you've had no new reviews. It updates every 24 hours.

The subcategory ratings (check-in etc.) count heavily in guest favourite (although probably not all equally), which is another reason it moves even if your overall rating stays the same.

https://www.airbnb.co.za/help/article/3495

[René294]

Hi Shelly, thanks for your reply.

[Stanja0]

Hi @René294 

I think you raise a fair point.

Personally, I would view a listing with a 4.97 rating across 400+ reviews as more reliable than a listing with five 5-star reviews. Both listings may be considered reliable, but they’re not equal when it comes to consistency.

A host who has maintained a 4.97 over hundreds of stays has demonstrated that they can consistently deliver a great guest experience over time. With only five reviews, there’s simply a much smaller sample size. Statistically, it’s harder to draw the same conclusion.

That said, I also think Airbnb’s Top 1% and Top 5% badges are, at least in part, a marketing tool. They’re designed to help guests book with confidence while also encouraging hosts to maintain high standards and optimize their listings.

Ultimately, Airbnb’s business depends on increasing booking volume, so these badges help influence guest behavior.

If the goal is to identify the “best of the best,” I’d personally like to see long-term consistency and review volume carry more weight alongside ratings and reliability.

Just my perspective.

[Shelley159]

I agree @Stanja0 and @René294 

Longstanding listings are more reliable, but I think there may be a deliberate move by Airbnb to encourage new listings.

Many of the new hosts whose listings are guest favourites, don't qualify for Superhost yet (as they need 10 stays for that).