New to hosting, long time user of AirBnB as guest

[David13864]

Hello everyone!  My name is David I was born and raised in the United States, but have been an Expat in Costa Rica for 24 years now. I'm trying to host a studio apartment I own here in Costa Rica.  I think I've filled everything out and uploaded photos, but I don't really know how to see it listed, it doesn't show up on  the map yet.  I got one response from a Superhost/guide once, and haven't heard back.  I have a lot of basic questions.  Any getting stared help is greatly appreciated.

Rgds,
David

[Patricia2526]

Hi @David13864 

Check if the listing is published

• Open the Airbnb app or website.
• Go to Menu → Listings.
• If your studio shows as “Listed”, it’s live. If it says “Unlisted” or “In progress”, you’ll need to finish a few steps.
• Check your calendar — if there are no available dates, it won’t show.
• Sometimes it takes a few hours to a day for new listings to appear.
•  Make sure your account is fully verified (ID, profile photo, etc.).

If you have any other hosting questions, feel free to share them here so the community can jump in and help. Congrats on your new listing! 

[David13864]

Thank you @Patricia2526!

[Quincy]

Welcome to the Community Center @David13864! I've added a tag with Patricia's name to your comment just like this @Patricia2526. To tag someone, tap "@" and select the host's username from the dropdown menu. This way, they will receive a notification 😊 

As others have mentioned, it might take a little while before your listing is visible. It'd be great if you could let us know once this is the case!

[Joelle43]

Hello @David13864 and welcome!

A must read if  you are a new host is this great guide:

https://community.withairbnb.com/t5/Host-guides/A-Guide-For-New-Hosts/td-p/2073093

All the best
Joëlle

[Kash3]

Congratulations on your new listing 🙂 Wish you plenty of success and wonderful hosting experience. 
Since you mentioned "been long user of Airbnb" i was also wondering if you are viewing the app as Host or Traveller. When you go to app, click on your photo, you will see Switch to Hosting or Switch to Travelling option. You will be able to see your listing once you have switched your view as HOST. Have a look once. 

[David13864]

Hello @Kash3, yes I have.  Still  getting used to this.  I have another property in the mountains I want to list as well.  Still  trying to figure a lot of things out.   thanks agian 🙂

[Joan2709]

@David13864 

Please do read through the New Host Guide that @Joelle43 mentions. It contains information on how to avoid common mistakes when creating your listing. It will save you alot of "headaches". It's important to have your listing complete BEFORE accepting reservations:

New Host Guide

https://community.withairbnb.com/t5/Host-guides/A-Guide-For-New-Hosts/m-p/2073093#M2346

Missing Amenities & House Rules

I do see you are missing alot of amenities and some House Rules are missing? Airbnb says you don't provide essentials like hot water, linens, towels, TP and soap. It also says you don't have AC? (which I'm sure you do). You do accept pets but have nothing in your additional House Rules regarding pets? If this is a share space, pets might be an issue for other guests. Is there a yard where they can take the pet? If not, where can guests take their pets to walk them. Allowing 2 pets in such a small space might not be a good idea. You may decide it is better not to allow pets. 

Title

Don't waste space here stating what the guest already knows. Do the guests have a private entrance or do they have to go through your home to access the apartment? Are there shared spaces where both you and the booking guest or other persons will be? If a private entrance, mention that in the title. I would also say "Gated".

SubTitle

If this is a studio (bedroom in common area - not separate room) it shouldn't be listed as a "1 bedroom". Go to your photos and delete the Bedroom Room. Go to the Living Room Photo and go to sleeping arrangements on the photo and add the bed size. This will correct your subtitle so you don't get guests complaining your listing isn't accurate. Doesn't look like you are using the Photo Tour. Not a big fan of the Photo Tour, but I suggest you start out using it. It will create the "Where You'll Sleep" Section which you are missing.

Description

I would convert meters to feet and mention both for us backwards US travelers who don't use the metric system. 😏 Please explain more thoroughly to guests how they access this apartment? Is it in a home? A free-standing unit? In a basement? Does it have a private entrance? (important for guests to know).  Are guests sharing any spaces with others?

Photos

Your photos are very dark (did you take them at night?) Is this a basement apartment? You need at least 25 good photos. I would get professional photos done or at least take them during the daytime. The cinder block wall behind the bed is very off-putting. I would hang some art there or somehow break that space up with something. Overall impression is very dark and not welcoming. Please put the toilet lid down when taking photos of the bathroom. Please take some photos of the shower and showerhead and add to listing. Please add captions to ALL photos.

Compare Other Successful Listings

Take a look at other listings in your area with good reviews and use that as a Guide in optimizing your listing. Look for listings that have full calendars and lots of good reviews. Put yourselves in your guest's shoes. Would you want to book your place? What things would you want to know about a listing before booking it on Airbnb.

[Gernide0]

Hi @David13864, welcome to the hosting side of Airbnb! 🌟

When you finish setting up a listing, sometimes it doesn’t immediately appear on the map or in search results. A couple of quick things you can check:

1. Listing Status – Make sure your studio is set to “Listed” and not “Unlisted” or “Draft” (you can see this in your Airbnb dashboard under “Listings”).
2. Verification – Airbnb often holds listings until all required verifications (ID, phone number, payout method) are completed. Double-check those are active.
3. Location Accuracy – If your pin is slightly off, your place may not show up correctly on the map. Go to your listing → “Location” → adjust the pin to be exact.
4. Search Filters – Sometimes your own listing won’t appear if you’re searching with filters (like dates, guest count, or amenities). Try searching without filters or preview your listing through “Preview Listing” in your dashboard.
5. Processing Time – New listings can take a little while (a few hours to a day) before showing publicly in searches.

If you’ve already uploaded your photos and description, I’d suggest hitting “Preview” in your dashboard to confirm it’s live. From there, you can also share the direct link with friends or here in the community to get feedback.

You’re in a beautiful area, so once it’s visible, I’m sure guests will love it! Don’t worry—you’re on the right track, and everyone here started with the same basic questions. 😊

[Alex]

Hi @Gernide0!

Just to make sure David sees your message, I tagged him in your comment so he can get back to it faster. I did this by using @ followed by his username.

Hope this helps! 

Best, 

Alex

[David13864]

Thank you Alex 🙂