Issue with King bed filter not bringing up our listing for guests- AGAIN :(

[Mandrake-And-Karen0]

Since we host an apartment with a king bed I decided to do a search, in the area where our rental is, and noticed our listing did not show up! This is the 2nd time that this has happened within a year for this king bed amenity!  It is among other amenities, including free street parking that is also not bringing up our listing when I searched under "free parking."

Figured out that the king bed amenity has to be linked to host editing options for amenities.  So, I looked on our listing editing page for the amenities and did not see an option of us to choose King bed.  The option is linked to our bedroom photo but I don't believe the searchable filter is linked to that page/or photo to pull up our listing when a king bed is being searched. If it was linked, our listing would appear when a guest was searching for a king bed, in our area, during the dates our rental is available. What is being offered to guests doesn't necessarily flow to the side of the technology offered to hosts.  I experienced this  with the accessibility features, too. 

 Since there are so few rentals in our area that have king beds I am particularly disappointed by this glitch.  A good bit of larger sized tall and stout people rent from us so having our king bed showcased through the filter, as an amenity, impacts our bookings.  If our booking is not coming up for those who need it Airbnb is restricting guests who can book our home, or any home, that has a king bed.  This is deeply concerning to me.  

Similarly, we have been experiencing issues with accessibility filters and amenities not being connected and mismatched.  Airbnb made recent changes that deleted our previously approved accessibility offerings- step free entrance and path. This restricts people who have step free needs from having access to our listing.  Our entire rental is step free inside and outside. Again deeply concerned that different people are being restricted from having access to meet their needs.  Is this a glitch or part of the roll outs that Airbnb is doing to drive visibility to guest favorites- by pushing guests towards rentals that don't quite meet their needs because they have little or no other options appearing?  I hope that Airbnb isn't suppressing "less favorite" rentals in efforts to increase visibility to guest favorite rentals, at the expense of guests not being able to access rentals that will meet their needs. 

Hopefully that is not the case and they will prioritize these issues and correct them right away!

Anyone having this issue as a repeat issue or for the first time- with King bed or any other amenities, accessibility or otherwise? If so, please let Airbnb know.. We don't need to use Airbnb that much anymore  and may decide to leave this platform all together. Any kind of  restrictive access, to those who need features / accessibility amenities and are unable to access them, just doesn't sit well with me regardless of the reasons why this continues to happen.

Karen

[Joan2709]

@Mandrake-And-Karen0 

I checked a few listings for Hosts I work with and the King Bed Filter is working for them?  It does seem like alot of listings in Silver Spring have King Beds when I tried the filter there and verified the bed sizes on some listings. You have a longer min stay then most (7-10days) so that could affect search results if the guest is putting in dates less than those minimums when searching and then using the King Bed Filter?

Since you said you'll probably not use Airbnb anymore this might be a moot point, but you could always try moving "King Bed" to the front of your title instead of the end of the Title. Right now "King Bed" is cut off on search results in the thumbnail, as Airbnb onlys shows 37 characters on the Title on the thumbnail photo.

Current Title

"Pristine Garden Apt- Comfy Retreat w/ King bed"

(46 characters - only 37 show on thumbnail so King Bed is cutoff from guest thumbnail view)

Maybe try:

"King Bed – Pristine Comfy Garden Apt Retreat"

At least that way "King Bed" will appear on the thumbnail title in guest searches.

[Mandrake-And-Karen0]

Thanks, Joan. Glad your clients aren't having any issues wherever they have their listings. Do you know if they have :"guest favorite" status?  Just curious.

When I did my "guest" search for king beds in our area, naturally,  I checked the minimum length of days during dates that our listing is available. Since Airbnb has a searchable filter "king bed" it doesn't matter where I place "king bed" in my title.  Our listing should come up when guests are seeking the length of nights that we offer.  I don't know how many other listings this issue with filters affect in Silver Spring for any given dates. 

[Joan2709]

@Mandrake-And-Karen0 

Yes...the Host listings I checked did have GF status...but I believe some of the other listings that appeared in Silver Spring didn't either, but they still appeared in the search results for King Bed. Just wondering why your listing doesn't have GF status? You have great reviews?

Putting King Bed first in the Title was a just a suggestion to help guests see you have a King bed when searching (without the King Bed Filter), until Airbnb addresses the filter issue. Many guests don't even know the King Bed Filter is there, as it's "below the fold" in the filters selection page.

Airbnb doesn't list it as a top amenity for guest searches in most areas as its not shown at the top with the colored icons, or above the fold. Guests have to click "show more" to even see it. I was hoping this might help you with those guests searching for King Bed by looking at the Title on the thumbnail, if they weren't aware there was a filter for that. 

[Mandrake-And-Karen0]

 We're aware that King bed is an option under show more and that guests may/may not click on that filter. Interesting that your properties have GF.  That is one of my theories on what may be happening and to whom.  Hmmm...what properties do you manage or have clients? I'd like to take a look.  When I clicked on your profile it just shows that you are retired.  No listings show up underneath.

[Joan2709]

@Mandrake-And-Karen0 

Unfortunately, I can't disclose the listings of my clients for privacy and contractual reasons, but you should be able to search/Filter for Guest Favorites in your area and also the King Bed filter and see what happens?

I was a Co Host for 2yrs+ for a Host with multiple properties. I then started up my own STR consulting business, so my profile says "Guest". I help new hosts create their listings (on Airbnb, Vrbo and now I'm working with Furnished Finder). I also help optimize existing listings that may be underperforming, or just want to improve ROI. I work mostly remotely, but I do have Host clients in my area where I physically help them setup the listing along with the other services.

[Mandrake-And-Karen0]

That's understandable.  What is the name of your business? Are your clients Airbnb, VRBO and Furnished Finder or are they private property owners?

[Joan2709]

@Mandrake-And-Karen0 

I can DM you my business info if you like? I work for private property owners/Hosts. I'm not affiliated with any of the platforms.

[Mandrake-And-Karen0]

Sure, DM me your business info- in case I know any hosts who need help.

[Mandrake-And-Karen0]

Decided to change the title to: 

Pristine Garden Apt- King Bed, Comfy Retreat

Visually, it has good flow while also showing up in the thumbnail.

Thanks for the suggestion! Adding "King Bed" sooner in the title doesn't make it searchable under the King Bed filter but if people don't select that filter, because they can't see it, then my listing will make it clear that I offer a King bed.

Meanwhile I have added this to the pile of amenities that Airbnb's system may selectively be blocking from non GF and SH listings. I've reported it to CS and have not gotten a response on the "Free parking" filter not bringing up listings with "Free Street Parking" and also the issues with the Accessibility filters.  

[Joan2709]

@Mandrake-And-Karen0 

I like the new Title! 

One thing I was thinking…in a general search (no dates) the algorithm does place listings with more availability higher in search results. 

[Mandrake-And-Karen0]

Thanks! That makes sense for some listings to show up higher in a search.  It's a different thing all together when Airbnb's system is preventing listings from appearing, all together, through guest searchable amenities, regardless of calendar availability.  That's not okay especially when it appears to be filtering out non GF and SH listings for accessibility features that may include a king bed and also adjacent street, curb-free parking access!

[Shelley159]

Hi @Mandrake-And-Karen0 

I agree with Airbnb that free street parking doesn't belong in the free parking filter. 

"Free parking" is guaranteed - guests have a right to complain if the dedicated on-site parking is not available. Street parking is subject to availability - one can very easily have no nearby parking at all.

[Mandrake-And-Karen0]

The issue that I am mentioned is not about the definition of "free parking." It's about misalignment of guest searchable amenity filters and the host editor.  Either Airbnb refines it's guest searchable filters to read "free onsite parking" and "free street parking" and include BOTH options in the host editor or do something else that aligns host amenities with guest searchable amenity filters.  Either way they need to fix these issues, especially with accessibility features, based on the restrictive impact this is having for travelers with differing abilities.

[Shelley159]

@Mandrake-And-Karen0 

It looks like the King Bed filter issue has been fixed? I searched Argyle Park and found your listing in second position (using 8 to 18 Feb). Then I added the King Bed filter and it moved to first position, so it seems to be working.