Hello Airbnb Community,
I’m reaching out for advice and support after my listing was reported for removal effective July 1st, and I’m struggling to get clear answers from Airbnb support.
I’ve been a member of the Airbnb community as both a traveler and a host since 2013. I’ve also worked for multiple agencies managing Airbnb listings for property owners. I’ve always valued Airbnb’s community and strived to provide great experiences. Just recently, I got my first own place to host, and it feels devastating that all the investment and effort might be for nothing.
I’ve noticed a significant shift in Airbnb’s approach recently. In my experience working with agencies, there were many poorly maintained listings that seemed to go unnoticed. Now, with these new updates, it feels like they’re aggressively removing listings, and it doesn’t matter how much you invest or how hard you try.
I’ve hosted the “Satilla Riverfront Retreat” for about 10 months and received 39 reviews in total. Out of these, only 3 were truly negative (1-star or 2-star), all related to the sulfur smell in the well water, a common issue in rural Georgia. The rest of my reviews (36) were 4 or 5 stars, with guests praising the cleanliness, accurate listing, and my responsiveness as a host.
What i did to solve the problem:
- I performed water treatments on November 23, 2024, and January 13, 2025.
- After a negative review in March 2025, I installed an additional water filter.
- I recently purchased a more advanced water treatment system, which is being installed as soon as my current guests check out.
- I have always been transparent about the water situation in my listing and provide bottled water for every check-in as a courtesy.
- The house is always kept very clean, and I have video evidence after each cleaning.
- There have been no recurring issues with the house itself, only the water smell, which I have worked hard to address.
I submitted a detailed appeal to Airbnb, including all receipts, proof of water treatments, and screenshots of my updated listing description. However, the responses I received seemed automated and did not address my specific situation. At one point, they even asked for a cleaning contract or pest control receipts, even though there were no cleaning or pest issues reported in any review.
Despite providing all relevant documentation, my appeal was denied without any clear explanation or guidance on what else was needed. I feel like my case was not properly reviewed, and I’m at a loss for what to do next.
Has anyone experienced something similar, where a listing was removed despite most reviews being positive and clear efforts to resolve the main issue?
Is there any way to get in touch with a real person at Airbnb who can actually review my case?
Are there any other options for reinstating a listing, or is it truly final once the appeal is denied?
Any advice or shared experiences would be greatly appreciated. It’s especially disheartening after being a loyal member of the Airbnb community for so long, and seeing how the platform seems to be changing its approach. Thank you for reading and for any help you can offer.
Best,
Egor
