Rejected AirBNB Categories

[Danielle1731]

Our new property does not have the correct categories listed. Based on this article - https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/3374?_set_bev_on_new_domain=1704294757_MDBhYzFjYThjNzgz - You go to this website and request Categories. https://elevate.translated.com/categories

We went in and requested a few. The key ones being Amazing Views and Cabin because thats what people look for in our area. It is critical we have these categories to increase bookings. We noticed that bookings were slow and determined we did not have the correct categories. As you can see below - we actually got rejected for cabin (our property is absolutely a cabin) and for Amazing Views it's been pending for weeks. I have called support atleast 20 times with no one that can help. 

Any advice on how to get these approved? It is killing our listings performance. 

[Dee32]

@Deb216 and @JahnevaO

Deb216 I noticed you have had a problem with this since Aug 2023,correct? That's when I noticed my beach catagory had been removed. It was July 2023 when I 1st noticed it. As of yesterday may 14th 2024, I was finally put back in the beach catagory, and it's no longer pending. It showed pending for a month. I'm now in the beach & surf catagory. I should be in historic homes as well but was rejected. It's been over a year of absolute nonsense.

@JahnevaO  I feel your pain. Especially trying to communicate with customer service. The experience is bizzare. 

[Deb216]

@Dee32,

  Yes, my listing continues to wait to be returned to BEACH and GOLFING.

  During a phone conversation with a host support representative *a month ago* I was assured my listing was visible in the BEACH category and would be in GOLFING again after our call. 

  As of today May 17, 2024 my listing continues to be in no category at all.

[Dee32]

@Deb216 

I'm sorry to hear that. I read a post where a host said the customer service Rep admitted to there being  problems with the catagories. Thats the first time I've heard airbnb acknowledge this.

When you go into evolve to choose a catagory, does it show your golf & beach catagory pending? If not you need to re-request it. If possible. It might be greyed out if it was previously rejected. If it's pending check it everyday. The 2 things that have changed for me, I got the promised e-mail notification from evolve letting me know the status (unlike before)and I'm back in the Beach catagory So maybe your situation will improve as well. Fingers crossed.

[Deb216]

@Dee32, Thank you. 

No, I check ELEVATE daily and it continues to show "Your listing isn't part of a category yet".

Both BEACH and GOLFING are grayed out so I'm not able to select them at all.

But I have received another message from Airbnb telling me

"Hi Deb, I'll have an update for you soon..."

Then a few days later another message that says "Hello!

I'll be away for the next 2 days..."

Meanwhile, I haven't received a single booking, it's been over 30 days.

I'm losing hope.

[Dee32]

Hi Deb216,

Any changes to your catagory yet? Fingers crossed.

[Deb216]

Hi @Dee32,

Today is June 26, 2024.

No, the Airbnb Support Ambassador called me a few days ago and told me she had no other option but to CLOSE the case.  She added "Even the Technical Dept. has no idea how to fix any thing to do with categories."    I've yet to receive one reservation inquiry or booking....I  give up.

[Dee32]

@Deb216

It took them over 1 year to put my listing back into the beach catagory & they tossed in national parks, although I'm nowhere near one.🙄 I'm sorry this is happening to you with no solution,it's terribly frustrating. I also took a huge financial hit last year and I  believe it is due to this. Months without any bookings:(  Not everyone would be effected by catagories but if you are specifically a destination location, you most likely would loose bookings if overlooked, misrepresented or in the wrong one catagory. Golfing, beach,horse ranch etc.. as you know. The other negative repercussions are, the algorithms promote listings with inquiries,views,bookings & ratings. The fewer of any of these the less you will be seen.

If you don't meet the required number of days booked or total guest stays in a review cycle you loose your superhost status. It's a vicious cycle. That's how I understand it to work from everything I've read. Time to hit up airbnbs twitter page.

[Tina8669]

in reviewing our listing, I noticed it has one of them as countryside. So I followed instructions and went to elevate, and the only option it gives me is to request a photo shoot for professional photos. We had professional photos taken, and you can tell by looking at the listing. It has no option to request a category change. I’m glad it’s not just us. But this is very frustrating .

[Joan2709]

Hi @Tina8669 

I had that same problem! I reported this bug awhile ago. The link they provide takes you to the wrong landing page (photoshoot request). Try manually typing this URL in your browser when you are logged into your account:

[Deb216]

 When I follow all suggestions and/or instructions they try to get me to agree to pay for photos.  NO THANKS!

This is simply ridiculous.

[Joan2709]

Hi @Deb216 

I have only tried this on a computer and it works. Doesn't look like it works on your phone. Log into your airbnb account. Keep the window for your Host dashboard open. Open a new (second) browsing window tab and type:

elevate.translated.com/categories

[Paul-and-Donna1]

Hi Dee,

I absolutely agree with all you have posted above.

Not sure if anyone commented here on the this so I'll just throw it here.

Once the requested category is rejected, it is greyed out and you can't resubmit.

However, after 30 days the category becomes again available and you are free to try again.

Although personally, we've been having an issue with the 'repeat' request.

While the original/first request for a specific category took few days of 'pending' status and then 'rejected', any subsequent request gets rejected instantly - within hours.

As if no one/ nothing (AI) re-checks the listing. Just automatic rejection.

Though most hosts (that get rejected in a category they believe they should belong to) will do everything in their power to fix it, to make it clear for the AI - they would update the photos, photos details, description, tweak the listing here and there, play with words and pray that AI will pick on it... No "new" review, re-check etc. 

Funny when I contact Airbnb they keep suggesting all different categories for our listing to try and submit - as there is NO category that would truly describe what we offer (such an OMG, Luxe, Mansion, Historic, Golf....)  I've listened to them, submitted them all, and was rejected on 99.9% of them...

We're not a historic building but we have an entire "wild west city" in the back yard with tons of authentic activities and history games (custom made trivia, treasure hunt, scrap book about the American Frontier History, artifacts etc) - they suggested to submit "historic" - rejected.

Since we're the only listing with this unique amenity (bank, jail, marshal, saloon, shooting range, gold mine, mining sluice, lassoing, costumes etc.) they suggested "OMG", Rare Find, Luxe - all but Luxe rejected (Luxe is listed as "escalated" - not even sure what that means), they've suggested 'design' as it is unique, all original, authentic, AND the house is (based on guests reviews - and I'd love to think so too) stunning.. but design was rejected twice already... We have mini golf and amateur 6 hole golf on the premises (it is 4 acres) and we're within 10 minutes of one prof. golf course and within 20 minutes of additional 3 - they suggested 'golf' category and it was rejected...

We are 6 minutes from one of the most popular Vineyard and within 15 minutes of 4 more and it took 2 requests AND 3 months to get approved... the first request was 'stuck' in 'pending' status for 7 weeks, then rejected.. the second time I requested the category, it took about a month but it was approved.

It would be nice to have someone who can physically override the system based on actual reading comprehension, review of the photos etc.

Just yesterday, I saw a communication here on "chef's kitchen" and how listings that should not be in the category are found under the search, and others who should be included are not...

When I search my area for 'chef's kitchen' I find houses that have small kitchens with no 'preparation space/areas', storage areas (kitchen ware - from cookware, bakeware, dinnerware, glassware, etc etc), electric range ovens, standard or less than mid range line appliances, no islands etc. included in the search.

They all (or almost all) have one feature in common - kitchen exhaust hood.

From the cheapest one available on the market through elaborate, high capacity ones.

BUT that seems to be a set parameter for the AI to approve or reject a chef's kitchen.

We have a 280sq ft kitchen with top line appliances including smart gas range oven with 5 sealed burners and built in griddle, conventional & Airfryer  oven  WITH (a set) high performance microwave with a built in high efficiency exhaust (NOT A HOOD)

10 feet long island with 10 feet open granite counter space for food preparation PLUS additional 20 feet of granite counter top for more food preparation 

our kitchen easily accommodate 3-4 people cooking 

we have tons of storage space for all the imaginable kitchenware and gadgets 

(we have ALL pre-selected airbnb kitchen appliances AND then some)

Stunning design, professional photos (we just added few recently) and surprise, it was rejected - even though we have reviews from prof. chefs and restaurant owners praising the kitchen... 

A simple google search of what chef's kitchen should have - GAS (not electric) range - check, lots of area for food preparation, island etc - check, lots of storage - check, pantry - check, top line appliances - check, loaded with equipment - check, large open space - check 

LOL, it's not even funny how we're getting rejected on any category we might feel should apply to us OR was suggested by Airbnb supervisor to us..

I love Airbnb, we're top 1 %, Super Host for 6 years (I also have another account for 9 years Super Host), 95 5 star reviews, Guest Favorite 

BUT with my self-diagnosed OCD 🙂 I'm having a hard time accepting that Airbnb's AI doesn't love me back 

[Dee32]

@Paul-and-Donna1

I feel your pain:) It took 18 months to get put back into the beach catagory for us. AI removed us when we requested to be in historic homes,which we are a historic home. Also and obviously, the surf catagory:) rejected. I'm a 4 minute walk to the beach, yet AI decided I wasn't. No amount of talking to the hooman airbnb reps helped. We weren't in any catagories for the entire time. I think what I dislike the most is the extreme gaslighting hosts get from airbnb help. I'd rather Polk my eye with a sharp stick than call them.

[Jahneva0]

Infuriating to say the least. Our property is on the beach. My backyard is literally sand level of on the beach, water is 100 ft from my back deck, and yet we are not listed or tagged as beachfront, beach, or waterfront. They gave us only “amazing views”. Beach and beachfront were denied despite 2 other airbnbs on our street having those categories. Given how in-your-face categories are when you open the app, this is extremely disappointing. More so, was the terrible and useless conversations with customer service reps. How can you not look at my photos, reviews, or google maps and add the beach category? How can AI have the final say, as if it makes no mistakes? Denying that these tags wouldn’t make an impact on bookings or search is absurd. Many of our guests over the years found our remote beach home by searching this way. It’s a rural destination that many don’t know to search for otherwise. Categories wouldn’t exist if Airbnb didn’t believe they have an impact. 

[Deb216]

It is now June 2024.

I received another 2 messages from an Ambassador:

 He/She will be away from the office for 2 days...

And then another message, 

They've CLOSED my case!

Nothing has been resolved!