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 

😞 So disappointing. I'm sorry. Do post if something changes. The worst part is the pretend customer service. Everyone who has ever called CS knows what it means when they say "I will be away from my office for 2 days" It's comical at this point.

[Joan2709]

Hi @Jahneva0 

Luv your place!

Yup...AI is a tricky thing for sure. Programmed correctly it is a great tool. That said, even a great tool can be used incorrectly and cause alot of harm. AI has to "learn" as it goes and just like a "toddler" there can be a big mess created along the way.

A few things I would try on your listing. These are just guesses and suggestions. The problem is, if you have been denied a category, I understand it's very hard to get that changed, as the AI has "ruled" (even if it's wrong!). I have had to request removal of incorrect categories!

Exact Location (Specific Location)

I always advise my clients that are right on the beach to indicate exact location. This reassures guests that are searching for beachfront that your location is accurate. This may also be used as a "marker" for AI when determining "beachfront", but that is a guess on my part. Your address is only shown after they make a reservation. Be sure to turn on the privacy option so guests cannot see the exact location until after the free 48hr cancellation period. Right now you are showing a  general location as indicated by the transparent red circle around your location on the map in the "Where You'll Be" section:

Neighborhood Highlights

Airbnb doesn't state what factors AI considers when determining Categories. They provide generalities like your description and photos should refer to location features. However, I have noticed with some of my clients that if they refer to a specifc geographic feature in Neighborhood Highlights on the listing, it sometimes works. I would add references to "beach", "beachfront" to Neighborhood Highlights. Right now you just say "small rural community." You can include things like what type of sand, how long the beach is, best to time to enjoy the beach and what part is most picturesque, etc. You get the idea. 😊

Amenities Section

I would review this section under Location Features bubble and be sure you have included waterfront and beach access (looks like you have?).

Location Card

Be sure you have included "beach access" and "waterfront" in this section.

Thats all I can think of at the moment. Let us know here if you are able to get the categories you want added, as it might help another Host 🙂

[Rita2979]

.I have had this exact same experience since I listed in December 2023.  First I was in skiing, despite not being open during ski season, then countryside, then NO CATEGORY>  I am a campsite, my site name is Riverfront Ritz Campsite, yet they won't put me in camping,  I have been on the phone with them too many times to count, with the exact same response.  They give me the robo answers on how to pick a category, as if I didn't know, then how to elevate, but as you know, they gray out the category that I belong in.  It is beyond frustrating,  this site earned 94 five star reviews when it was listed through Tentrr, up until December when they went bankrupt, so I had to list my site on my own.  This time last year I had 10 bookings, this year I have two, and one was a previous camper that I reached out to.  It doesn't make sense that they can't fix it.  They first told me, after several phone calls, that it was a known bug and they were working on it, today I got a response, that there is no bug, so I needed to uninstall, reinstall, empty cookies and all that......after doing that it still doesn't work.  

[Joan2709]

Hi @Rita2979 

I'm so frustrated for you as well! Your property should clearly be in the Camping Category. I have noticed with other clients that putting information in the Neighborhood Highlights Description section under the Listing Location Card in the Listing Editor has helped some of my clients. I noticed that section is missing on your listing? 

When you enter information in this section on the listing it shows up under the location map under "Neighborhood Highlights." I would complete this section on your listing and include all kinds of information about "Camping" there. I'm guessing the AI "mines" this section (along with other data points) to determine Categories, but that's only a guess. It's worth a shot.

[Marie8425]

@Rita2979 

Don't know if this will work but something similar helped someone else out.  

Using Elevate the Airbnb tool to submit for category review.  Before a human actually sees you are talking to a computer,  Your ad mention camping frequently which is good.

I wonder though if using the Airbnb Folders that say bedrooms, bathroom and kitchenette confuse the computer to say not a campsite?

[Sarah-and-Alex0]

Do you know what the connection is between Airbnb and Elevate?  I noticed that one of my listings is in the Bed & Breakfast category, and we do NOT serve breakfast.  I found this thread because I found the Airbnb guidance that says give your login to a separate company (Elevate) to request category changes and wanted to find some context before GIVING MY LOGIN TO A DIFFERENT COMPANY.  It sounds like a lot of folks here have already done that - can you shed any light on why Airbnb directs us to an external company to request recategorization of our Airbnb listings? 

[Joan2709]

Hi @Sarah-and-Alex0 

I'm assuming this is yet another 3rd party vendor they are using to outsource this function. Since they refer to them in their Help Articles, I wouldn't have security concerns about that. You can always verify with CS if you have any concerns about them being legit.

[Brandon88]

Would love to see Airbnb take this issue more seriously. Not having listings in the most accurate category can lead to a recurring stream of guests with false expectations about the property impacting the business’ reputation via reviews and guest satisfaction.

[Aaron1314]

Hello Danielle - were you able to get this resolved with Airbnb yet? We are also experiencing the same frustration. We own a beachfront home and they keep rejecting the beachfront category. It's hindered our business greatly in the last 6 months. Any insight would be greatly appreciated. 

[Rita2979]

The only way I was able to get listed in the proper category was to completely start over with a new listing.  Same exact place, pictures, description etc, but I was put in the proper category.  I cross listed with other sites and Air BNB was the worst performing, is that a surprise to anyone?

[Jan15646]

I have the exact same problem. My villa is clearly in a National Park and they keep rejecting it. No reasons given. One quick view in Google Maps will prove it. 

[Joan2709]

@Jan15646 

The whole category thing has been a mess from the start and now it looks like Airbnb has turned this all over to a 3rd party (Elevate). I don't know what else they need to add you to the National Park Category 😠.

I'm fine with wanting to improve profitabilty by utilizing AI and 3rd party vendors, but please make sure they are doing their jobs and have some sort of oversight to make sure they do. 

[Marcin65]

I am sorry to read such statements. In my big city of Warsaw, a large part of the listings is assigned to the category "National Parks" only because at a distance of 40 kilometers from the city there is a large forest complex marked as "Landscape Park". This is a complete failure.