Search algorithm failures

[Tamara682]

Hi all,

I posted a while back about listings from other cities coming up in searches for a specific city. Airbnb claims it's a glitch they are trying to fix (still claiming that when I talked to them this week, but they've been saying that for at least a year so that's doubtful.

Yes,  you can look at the map that shows up on the side, but the map is only a reflection of listings posted for that particular page including the out of area listings being shown in a search that did not ask for them.

How does this effect us the hosts?

Example: (I will use my listing for the example)

Wide Search: City and # of guests  - no dates

I am on page 8 (which means the map won't show it until page 8 either).

Listings before me that are not in the specific city I am searching (not even in the same zip code): 85

Of those - 6 are from the state next door

City/Date Search: City, 4 days/3 nights, # of guests

I am on page 3 AND there is a promotional discount of 20%

Out of area listings before me: 27

City/Week Search: City, 1 week date, # of guests

I am on page 3

Out of area listing before me: 22 of which 1 is in the state next door

Note: I had to cancel the promotion and move it a month because Airbnb has decided they will choose the nightly rate to be discounted based on rates over the last 60 days. Therefore, they automatically assigned the rate to before I removed the cleaning fee. That is not for them to decide.

I think a year is plenty of time for them to fix the zip codes for a specific city search. They can throw in fixing the promos while they're at  it.

[Adel1702]

My issue has been worse for the last 3-4 months. My apartment has not shown on the listing unless you zoom in on the map with the exact location and wait for seconds till it appears; otherwise, no one can see it. Although my rating is good and I have got super host, it's clear their something wrong, and I couldn't reach the support team to clarify and resolve the issue.

[Tamara682]

When I contacted them, they said they would look into the algorithms to see what was going on. Then they came back and said various searches get various results and to just believe!

[Helen3 · Accepted solution]

Hello @Tamara682 

It may be that you are lower down the search rankings because of your lower reviews. Also you have no profile photo on your profile (Airbnb asks all host to upload a profile photo as it instils trust) @Tamara682 

Airbnb is correct like many holiday booking platforms, different listings will come up each time you do a search so in busy areas it means more listings have the opportunity to be seen.

[Tamara682]

Hi Helen,

Thanks for your response. None of the above has anything to do with this particular issue. If someone is searching for a specific city and enters their criteria as such - there shouldn't be 80+ listings including out of state display before ALL the listings in that asked for city are first.

That is my point and a significant problem imo.

[Helen3]

Well actually having no profile photo and lower ratings does have something to do with where your listing sit in the Airbnb rankings for your area as it can affect your booking conversion rates.

However I agree Airbnb shouldn't include listings outside of the search area @Tamara682 

[Tamara682]

Actually, I have a profile. The pic will come. And still, that has nothing to do with the 80+ listings that are out of town including some that are out of state being listed before the city requested as shown all of those listings that are applicable.

PS - Airbnb has my pic as part of the verification process. Enough said and thank you for your concern.

[Tamara682]

This is not a "my listing only" issue. This effects all hosts.

I disagree that Airbnb is correct. To put your response more accurately, Airbnb undermines hosts by adding listings that are not within the location boundaries and sometimes not even in the same state before search-specific listings, so that their favorites (strs already making them great money) will get precedence over all.
Therefore, if your listing is fairly new Airbnb will exponentially increase your odds of failing over some established superhost anywhere in else in the more general area.
In other words, Airbnb hopes you fail because there are too many listings at this point and time and all they really care about, are keeping the established superhosts happy.
Nice. But I must admit, good to know.

[Kimberly-And-Benjamin0]

It's because our frustrations are not being handled by those who can actually solve the problem! Someone in a cubicle in another country isn't going to be able to fix the problem OR provide a satisfactory answer. This issue needs to go to upper management and technicians who can fix the problem. A lot of us are frustrated and more importantly, losing business as a result.

[Bhumika]

Hi @Tamara682 ,

Thanks for sharing your insights regarding the search algorithm. You can share your feedback with Airbnb directly as well via the Feedback Form.

Can’t find what you’re searching for? start a conversation

[Tamara682]

Thank you @Bhumika. You can be sure I've done that lol.

[Kimberly-And-Benjamin0]

I've messaged Airbnb several times about this issue. They need a special search option for those looking for location as top priority. If someone wants to stay in Wise, Va. then listings in Wise need to appear first. Listings near Wise need to appear next. 

[Tanina2]

Same issue. Our home is in Arthur Seat Victoria, there are many homes in the area, but in doing a search, other areas that could be up to 15kms away come up before mine. This is not good enough. If someone puts in a specific suburb, ALL the available listings that fit their criteria should come up first, then the other areas collated from closest to my home to furthest.

As a result, I had ZERO bookings over the peak time. I'm in a very highly sort after tourist area with a gorgeous home on offer and a reasonable price, AND I also employed a booking agent who looked then listed it on my behalf....NOTHING!

Copied the listing over to Booking.com and immediately got 5 new bookings.

I think AirBnB has lost the edge and will eventually lose business to other platforms. 

[Tamara682]

I agree, and the more I research this topic the more I am learning Airbnb wants it that way until the market is no longer saturated.

[Kimberly-And-Benjamin0]

My experiences, as well. Listings over 50 miles away in 2 other states appear before my listing. If you use Vrbo, my listings show up immediately when searching for my town. It only makes sense to put places first based on location. Airbnb could at least offer a special search by location. But when I tried to book a photographer - Airbnb's suggestion - they suggested one in California! I live in Virginia. So location doesn't seem to be their strong suit. I'm now losing business because people figure if they're scrolling through dozens of properties miles away from where they want to stay then there must not be any in the town or city where they'd like to stay. So easy to fix, Airbnb!!