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. 

[Mike-And-Jane0]

@Danielle1731 Have you tried searching for properties on Airbnb? When searching via categories you need to do this and then zoom in the map to where you actually want to go.

I honesty do not believe that 99% of guests do this. They just want to go to say Paris and type in Paris.

My point, made in a round about way, is that I doubt that categories are the cause of you listing's poor performance.

[Paula]

Hello @Danielle1731, welcome to our community 😊

I just wanted to check in and ask if you have read Mike's comment. Has this been resolved for you?

Keep us posted.

[Dee32]

Good morning @Paula,

I hope you are doing well  & wishing you a Happy New Year ✨️🎉🎊🎈✨️🎈✨️

I was just wondering if there's been any movement on fixing the catagories problem? I see 35 posts going back months that started with a post from @Danielle1731 in May 2024 although it's been going on much longer,hosts have been unable to get any help and continue to be listed incorrectly. I'm curious if Danielle's listing was ever corrected or @Deb216 

Thanks

Dee

[Deb216]

Happy New Year, Dee32!

Thank you for including me in this discussion.

I was recently "rejected" yet again for my request to be included in the beaches category where my home has been listed for years until recently.

My listing is 9 min. away from a beach, 3 min. away from a lake, and near a few golf courses.  Airbnb has approved my listing to be in the "lake" and "golf" categories only.  It's a shame as most of my summer guests search for me in the "beach" category, when they cannot locate my listing they reach out to me privately instead.

Wishing you the best, from Cape Cod.

~ Deb

[Joan2709]

@Deb216 

Just thinking....🤔

The category AI relies heavily on the Location Section information on the Listing Editor. I see you have added private beach access to amenities, but there is also a "beach access" under the Location Card in the Listing Editor. Maybe check that and make sure it is toggled ON:

If it wasn't toggled ON, then after turning on, wait about a week. Then try re-applying for the Category again.

In the mean time, I would maybe suggest changing your Title to highlight your beach access. Change from just:

Cape Cod Cottage-Sandwich 

to

Pvt Beach 3miles - Cape Cod Cottage/Sandwich

[Deb216]

Thank you, @Joan2709,

Yes I have always had the "Beach access" toggle selected.  It has not helped me though.

Thank you for trying to help, I sincerely appreciate you.

[Joan2709]

@Deb216 

😠

What's weird is when I check other listings in your location that ARE in the Beach category, their amenites callout looks different? Some say "Shared Beach Access" and some say "Beach Acess - Beacfront". That is odd. 

Maybe try toggling beach under location off. Then logout of your account and log back in again and re-select the toggle back on? Of course, one never knows these days if that will make things worse or not 🙄

[Deb216]

@Joan2709,

I just went to my listing and noticed a change!  Someone added an icon of a firepit and mentioned that my listing was perfect for  "alfresco dining..." which caught my attention since I do NOT own a firepit.

I un-installed the app, logged out, restarted my cell phone etc logged back on and reinstalled...and went to my listing's AMENITIES list and was shocked to discover numerous items were added to my amenities list without my knowledge! 

Pool, sauna, firepit, EV charger, and many more!

If a guest booked my home and thought I provided any of those items I would be forced to refund.

I fear this is another glitch.

[Joan2709]

@Deb216 

Thank you so much for posting this!  Oh my goodness!!!  🤥

Noticing some other changes but hadn't seen this! Off I go to check the listings now. Hopefully Airbnb corrects this ASAP!

I'll come back here after I check a few listings to see if they are wrong as well.

[Joan2709]

@Deb216 

I checked 3 listings and they are all correct. I'm noticing the AI is "mining" guest reviews to create the special amenities callouts now? For example, several guests commented in their reviews that they enjoyed the ping pong table and board games. Then we saw a callout:

One wonders if your situation on the amenities list is tied to something in a guest review?  However, since you don't even have a fire pit for them to comment on in a review....who knows?  Good thing you caught it, as if a guest wanted a refund because you didn't have a fire pit you probably would have had a hard time getting that reversed. 🙄 😦

[Deb216]

@Joan2709,

Yes exactly. I believe it is related to AI errors.

I contacted Host Support to make a record of it.

Thanks again for your suggestions otherwise I wouldn't have noticed this new glitch!

[Dee32]

Hi @Deb216

So sorry to hear that. I had my fingers crossed your listing location issues had been resolved. After reading the comments in this thread, I'm going to go check my listing for AI automatic changes. Grrrr...

[Dee32]

@Danielle1731We have been having trouble with this since last spring/summer. You have to request a catagory through "Elevate" then wait. Then wait and wait some more. The airbnb instructions say they will send you an e-mail to let you know if you are accepted or rejected. They don't. You have to go into where your catagories are and check. Then go to elevate where you will see what catagories they have rejected and which ones are pending. When I requested to be in the surf catagory,they removed me from the beach catagory. At one point last summer I wasn't in any catagories. The 1 catagory I was rejected for was historic homes yet we are a historic home. We are a 4 minute walk to the beach and verified by airbnb. They had me listed as a 20 minute 🚗 drive last summer,that's when I first noticed it. I was in the beach catagory but then it disappeared. Coincidentally it was the worst we have ever done financially in 8 years.

I think more is going on that reflects low sales besides the "catagory" thing like @Mike-And-jane0 mentioned. However,when a guest searches for a beach listing and wants to be able to grab a towel and walk to the water,seeing it's a 20 minute drive is a deal breaker. It also makers me look like a liar in the guests eyes. There's no way to contact them,you cannot dispute it,you just wait for the all knowing AI to decide where your property is or what type. I just wanted you to know your not alone. 

I had a rep tell me on the phone "the reason why we are not booking is because you don't have what guests want" Well,yes I agree. My guests want to be at the ⛱️ beach airbnb says I'm not! Listed as a 20 minute drive to get there & No beach catagory. I had what they wanted for 8 years,now I guess I don't according to the airbnb Rep. He did thank me for being a superhost. 😅 I'm currently listed as a 20 minute walk from the beach and pending for surf & Beach. I actually think the AI meant a 2 minute drive but can't seem to get it right. Google says it's a 2 min drive, I assume they take information from them among other sources.

Best of luck to you:)

By the way,once they reject your catagory,it will be grayed out,meaning you can't request it again.

[Deb216]

@Paula. and @Dee32,

I am experiencing this exact frustration.

It must be a glitch and yes even a support representative cannot resolve this.  It is causing a loss of income for many of us hosts.