Over zealous algorithms blocking legitimate guests as ‘party risk’

[Pamela553]

Legitimate guests, with excellent reviews, are being blocked as party risk. 
The algorithm flagging it because it’s  ‘short notice’ (4 days) & wanting to book the whole space (it’s a 2 bed apt).

Yet random enquiries are going through with less than 24 hours notice, zero reviews & they do want to party.

Seemingly, once blocked, this is irreversible.

It seems counterproductive, given that we are declining the random guests & Airbnb are blocking the legitimate guests.

[Helen3]

It's younger people  with less than three reviews who live locally and want to book short stays at the last minute that Airbnb is blocking @Pamela553 

So you will continue to get other bookings from those who fall outside these criteria in line with your booking policy .

if parties are an issue at your place then I think careful vetting of your guests a minimum stay of say two or three nights, cctv and strong house rules that make it clear about quiet times and only guests who have booked being on the listing will help.

[Nathalie-Et-Gilles0]

@Pamela553 

Local travellers with at least 3 reviews are not blocked.
It your prospect has more than 2 reviews, he be blocked because of the paiement or some problem with a previous host you cannot see (some hosts don't post reviews about bas guests).

Blockage is only for local prospect with less than 4 reviews.

[Pamela553]

Unfortunately Nathalie this is no longer the case.

I have just spoken to Airbnb, after having 3 reservations blocked this week, &  they have a policy of not accepting bookings from under 25s, no exceptions.

Even workers in the area.

Very frustrating.

[Sarah977]

@Pamela553  Just because one Airbnb rep tells you something doesn't mean it's true. They give out incorrect or incomplete information all the time.

[Pamela553]

Thanks Sarah,

After a year where bookings are down 80%, I’ve had so many bookings blocked, even with 5+ reviews.

Each time I phone & asked them to lift the block as I’ve communicated with the guest & feel very sure that they will behave. Each Airbnb rep  tells me that the block is irreversible.

Short of getting under 25s to get their parent to book, there is nothing I can do.

Saying all under 25s are irresponsible, seems unfair.

[Sarah977]

@Pamela553  "Saying all under 25s are irresponsible, seems unfair."

Well, they aren't saying all under 25s are irresponsible. It's an algorithm they developed to identify a combination of factors ( I think you were told something incorrect- there's more to it than age, for instance, they wouldn't be blocked from booking a shared home, private room listing, just an entire home) that were present in the vast majority of cases where guests threw wild parties, trashed houses, and where there were even shootings.

Airbnb is trying to avoid bad PR and large damage claims, it has nothing to do with them caring about whether any specific guest is responsible or not, or whether it is losing you perfectly ok bookings.

It's like car insurance- young men usually have the highest premiums, because statistically they have the most car accidents. That there are plenty of young male drivers who are safe drivers is immaterial. The insurance companies are just covering themselves based on statistics.