Logic Behind the Presentation of Search Results to Guests

[Richard531]

Along with other changes in the Summer Release, the most prominent change (that I haven't seen discussed) was the way search results are presented to the guests.  When I saw this update a couple weeks ago, I was certain that it was going to be corrected by now.  But here we are and nothing has changed.  Let's review what I'm talking about.  

Before:

• 1 listing per row
• The listing type and locale
• Landscape image of the listing
• The Title of the listing
• The number of reviews for each listing
• The average star rating
• A short list of amenities (that Airbnb would choose)
• Number of guests that the listing could host
• Number of Bedrooms
• Number of Beds
• Number of Bathrooms
• Price per night, and total price
• “Superhost” (if applicable, placed in hero image)
• “Rare Find” (if applicable, placed in copywrite area, with mouse rollover animation)

Now:

• 2 listings per row
• The listing type and locale
• “IG style” square image of the listing
• The average star rating
• Price per night, and total price
• Number of Beds
• “Superhost” (if NOT a “Rare Find,” placed in hero image)
• “Rare Find” (if applicable, placed in hero image)

So we lost the following:

• The Title of the listing
• The number of reviews for each listing
• A short list of amenities (that Airbnb would choose)
• Number of guests that the listing could host
• Number of Bedrooms
• Number of Bathrooms

Why did Airbnb decide to make this huge change?  I love the Titles of my listings - they say what sets me apart!  Instead, I have to do everything in just a single image only.  What about the number of reviews?  This is critical.  Anyone that's hosted only 10 bookings can be a 5.0.  But if you're a 4.99 with 300 reviews, that's another story.  Why not show the number of bedrooms/bathrooms?  What about the amenities list?  Sometimes they were silly (saying there's free parking in a region where all listings are on 1 acre) but sometimes they were helpful (hot tub, A/C, kitchen).  

What do you guys think?

[Robin4]

@Richard531 

Good to see you have joined the conversation Richard, yes we have all noticed this, some of us have made public comments about just those things....we are all suffering because of them and cannot put a logical rationale as to why these changes were  made but, it's nice to have your thoughts in the mix too.

Cheers........Rob

[Rachel2171]

Worse, not better!

[John5097]

@Richard531 

That's a very organized list. Some of the info such as bedrooms, what kind of rental unit, (apartment, cottage, house) seems relevant so can understand how that could be useful info at a glance. Although, I'm not sure why some host can't choose their own cover photo? Maybe they select which ones get the most clicks?  

The main problem I see with the Summer Update is Airbnb upselling the guest by having default 7 nights (Any Week) and directing them to more expensive listings outside their search area. 

Its really that simple. 

If you search for bed spreads on Amazon, and click on a $50 one, it will show you other options in the same price range.

 I"m still getting bookings but there seems to be a widespread decrease overall.

The next Airbnb corporate earnings report isn't out until August, so could still be a while before any adjustments if it isn't working for them. Time will tell. 

[Anonymous]

@Richard531  These are all great points. As a prospective guest, I'm finding that the new Search delivers less useful and relevant results, increasing the odds that I'll ultimately book a stay on the platform.

I do think they should bring back the listing titles, because what displays to guests now makes all the results sound generic and uninspiring. The only reason this doesn't seem like much of a loss from the guest perspective is that less than 10% of listings have what I think of as good titles. Most of them are either an unwieldy word salad of details (like the first one in your screenshot) or a bit overboard with the descriptions.

To me, the worst omission is the number of reviews. For a budget solo trip I might be open to trying out a new listing, but if there's a lot of people and money involved, I only want to look at places with well-established reputations and hosts with plenty of experience. The search is not my friend if it's hiding the data I'm looking for and showing me less relevant results.

What's most puzzling to me is that there's not even a way to customize the order in which search results are displayed. This would make sense if the goal was simply to keep eyes on the screen longer, but at the end of the day they're only making money when people find what they want quickly and book it.