I followed a lot of recommendations previously given to elev...
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I followed a lot of recommendations previously given to elevate my listing including adding all the amenities and getting pro...
Latest reply
I have been hosting with Airbnb since August 2020 and the entire process has not been pleasant. I have been a super host since April 2021 (I missed the January 2021 date bevause I didn’t meet the number of bookings requirements). I go above and beyond for all my guests. The condo is always extremely clean and well stocked and have been left welcome baskets and treats when I know there is a special occasion or when kids are coming. The majority of my guests have left me stellar reviews. Unfortunately the few that haven’t are pushing me to the brink of potentially losing my super host status. None of it is even based on anything. Some have done 4s all around just for the sake of doing it and literally have no complaints, others have given me 5s in all categories and 4 overall again with no complaints and stellar reviews. A couple have been valid (I put I had double beds when they are in fact singles (honest mistake but I get the issue)) while others complained about having to buy toilet paper after staying there for more than a week (I stock basic necessities even though my listing says I don’t provide essentials and I charge according to that). But in the end, I found the entire rating system sooo confusing for guests and so skewed to them.
I just don’t get it. I guess Airbnb has nothing to lose because us Hosts continue to list our places on the platform but I really thing they entire thing needs to be revised. I am so frustrated with it and just wish and hope another platform garners some attention like Airbnb and we can all just switch.
i guess this is nothing more than my venting but I really needed to. Haha
thank you if you are still reading.
Tittle updated by OCM
@Aya2119 You have wonderful reviews. Stop paying attention to or caring about the ratings or Superhost. That isn't what hosting is about. If you are getting bookings and your guests are happy and appreciative, which they certainly seem to be,and you are making money and enjoy hosting, that is all that matters.
Ratings and Superhost are an artificial construct designed to keep hosts stressed out, and see, it's working- it's stressing you out and upsetting you!
Forget about all that, you'll be amazed at how much freer you will feel.
(But yes, I would love for a viable competitor to come along, one that didn't treat its hosts like misbehaving children)
Wait till you get a few people that are unhappy about something and destroy your listing if it goes under 4 your gone no matter how hard you work and they won’t let you create a new listing even if so called made up problems are fixed be warned
The Superhost and review system will never change, it's not designed to work in our favour it's designed to make us compliant- which as Sarah says, makes us stressed out if we allow it.
I have many clients I co-host for who have gained, lost and regained Superhost, and it has never made a difference to the level of bookings or pricing or standing on the platform.
If you ask the average guest what a Superhost is, they won't know- ask the average host and every single one knows...because it's something airbnb makes us aspire to become, but most importantly makes us fearful of losing once gained.
Super host is a joke. 20 5* and 1 vindictive 1* kiss it goodbye ABNB sucks they always favour the guest with no loyalty to the people that make their business. I'm going completely off thier platform
So true I’m done with Airbnb I take my booking very seriously and it can be impossible to be perfect yet guests can destroy you’re listing if they are having a bad day, and Airbnb will tell you they understand yet they don’t understand 5 years of hosting and I’m done last year or 2 has been terrible and with cost of living people complain about everything even if you’re one of the cheapest listings go figure
Thank you both so much. Truly you made me feel so much better. I
I think a lot of host have valid concerns with the rating system.
You have amazing reviews, however I did notice several mention that towels and sheets are not provided that wasn’t mentioned in the other things to note or house rules.
I’ve had other people suggest not including them. I realize this is more common with beach rentals, but my response was that some guest will mark me down in the review. In this case some guest may consider the listing wasn’t accurate enough.
I also think some listings can expect a 4.8 while others a 5.0.
im also aware things I don’t offer are a potential for lower rating and make it more clear to guest.
Some if the most popular listings in my area also have 4.9 or so and always in the top ten in very competitive area. There are some things they could improve IMO but they are booked and rave reviews.
I’m trying to be more concise but wouldn’t just ignore reviews. I would try and make improvements if possible. This one seems like it should be at close to 5 star at this point. Just updating listing description can be a huge improvement. I see a few more places but can’t be sure and that’s up to each host.
@John5097 I wouldn't suggest that hosts simply ignore the ratings, just that they don't allow them to take on more importance than is warranted.
Obviously if a host is getting low cleanliness ratings on a regular basis, they need to step up their cleaning regime, or if low accuracy ratings, they need to edit their description to make things clearer to guests.
But it's usually the fickle 5* overall ratings, when guests have marked 5*s in all categories and said they loved their stay, or a 1* revenge review Airbnb refuses to remove, or a low rating left due to the guest's own inattention to what the host has clearly mentioned in the listing, that upsets hosts.
Those type of ratings are not fair, and not anything a host can learn from, so it's better for their mental and emotional state if they don't allow it to unduly upset them or stress them out.
@Sarah977 That's exactly what I'm saying! I think its best for host to focus on getting five star ratings from the guest who are easy to accomodate, which is vast majority of guest. Try to make it extra clean, for example. Try to build up good reviews, do some research before listing to avoid common mistakes, for example, because at some point host will have to deal with disruptive guest who is breaking house rules, disrupting neighbors, scammers, and know they will risk a one star review.
That was my approach. Yes I have great reviews but have had to message guest to make sure not to disrupt neighbors. If that means getting one star review so be it.
Some host are just better off using a property manager to handle the Airbnb. There are so many little things a homeowner with little experience would be reluctant to improve that someone with experience would strongly recommend.
Until you drop under 4 then you’re gone and it doesn’t take to many bad reviews even if you have 5star or higher on both sides if you have a few low reviews they will delist you’re place even with idiots reviews they don’t care but they say they understand worst platform now
I meant the fickle 4* overall ratings, of course. Typo.
The rating system is ridiculous... As are many others. It's rendering the whole system useless. They would be better off just offering thumbs-up/thumbs-down since most people give 5's or 1's. People who genuinely try to express the nuance of a 4 or 3 usually just ending up screwing the person they were trying to compliment.
All that being said, I feel like this magnet on the fridge helps:
https://strspot.com/products/rave-reviews-circle-pattern-magnet
@Aya2119 If I had the venture capital funds I would 100% start a home share site to compete with ABB.
There would only be "recommend" or "don't recommend" and a space to write a qualitative comments. Guests and hosts would get the same thing. The site would focus on people who actually wanted to work with others to share a vacation home or take in a boarder. Home swaps would be allowed. No pricing suggestion. Home owners would be able to work out their own agreements with those who wanted to stay in their space. No stays over 30 days to avoid legal issues. Very simple, easy and no nonsense. No punishments or pretend guarantees of vetting guests. Just "I have a place to rent, this is me, these are my rules. Who is a good match?"