@Colleen253 I have never used IB and never even for one moment have I ever entertained the thought.
I know Airbnb tries to scare hosts into using it, but as you found out, turning it off does not mean you will hardly ever get another booking.
I can understand that for hosts with multiple listings, it might make life easier, not having to be answering inquiries and requests all day, but for hosts with only one listing, I just don't see the attraction of IB.
To me, exchanging a message or two with guests before accepting their booking is part of hosting, and something I've never minded doing in the slightest. It gives me a really good idea of what to expect and makes me feel at ease with them when they arrive, and I think vice-versa.
In over 3 years of hosting, I have never gotten a guest who didn't read the info provided, only one who didn't answer messages (that was a special case) only one who was anything other than respectful and appreciative, none who made unreasonable demands, no one who damaged anything, none who left bad reviews.
I'm quite sure that wouldn't have been the case if I used IB. If I used IB, those guests who sent inquiries which I rejected as being unsuitable would have simply IBed and either arrived and been crummy guests, or I would have had to cancel the bookings after communicating with the guest.