Please add "Any Dates" to new search filters

[John5097]

Overall I like many of the new features with the recent Summer Release search filters. The Categories  is great idea. However there needs to be improved ability for guest to search for "Any Dates" or "Weekdays". There are a number of ways this could be done. 

As it is now the default is for guest to search "Any Week" this means only listings with 7 day availability will be displayed.

Guest need to select "Im Flexible" then three choices of "Any Week" "Any Weekend" and "Any Month" This is how it looks. My listing does appear as the first option for "Any Weekend" however potential guest only see the next available weekend, which for me is November. Its the same for "Any Week" 



So adding a "Any Dates" or "Weekend" would help this so that guest don' have to scroll though each listing calendar to see what other weekdays open. My weekends always fill up first anyway, so its the weekdays that are already harder to book. 

This is what it looks like with "Im Flexible" which isn't flexible at all. Guest having to check "Im flexible" and then "Weekends" isn't intuitive who have a flexible schedule, as many guest also book weekdays just to save a few bucks as rates are a bit lower. 

Another option would be to expand the flexibility window for selecting specific dates. As it is now the maximum is 7 nights. So incrusting to say 30 nights as an option could allow guest to search the entire month. 

So I think this is a great approach to help guest find the place they are looking for, the ability to find available "Weekdays" is lacking. This could make it more challenging to rebook cancelations if they are on a weekday. 

As it is now I have a maximum of 5 days to allow as much flexibility with cancelations as possible. Its easier to rebook and I can be more flexible. Its not unusual for guest to contact me the night before a reservation and want to change the dates, and I'm still able to rebook. So would need to make major changes to my cancelation policy and consider listing on other platforms. My first year was 2020 and I had over 80 cancellations. 

The average stay is 4 days. We get 7.4 million visitors and its a lot like Disneyland. 
By the way Orlando gets 75 million visitors a year and average stay is 4.5 nights. 
Maine gets 22 million a year. 
South Carolina 30 million a year. 
North Carolina 48 millón a year. 
Georgia 111 million a year, likely Atlanta has a huge impact with shorter stays. 

My listing does really well with Airbnb algorithms so I''m not giving up hope. They search guest reviews and help future guest find desirable locations which is something Airbnb is very good at. Mine does drop down to the #2 spot for "Amazing Views" and 2 guest for the area but I can live with that. I'm usually feathred on the first page with no search filters. But think these suggestions could help and it will be a major change if it becomes more difficult to book weekdays. 

My guest love my place. I very much enjoy offering a good value but sill need to make a certain amount each year. I very much enjoy feeling appreciated. They are so excited when they find it. I get honeymooners each month and almost every reservation is a special event. I hope Airbnb appreciates this as well, and want to continue to help guest find the right place for them. Most of the guest in this area are within 300 miles and take shorter trips. 

[John5097]

It has been a great two years. Airbnb has provided a great opportunity to rent out extra space or for others to start a business. I don't mind the investment properties and managers. I'm also not surprised that a change like this one could decrease reservations, and potential for a dramatic change.  

So far I've been right every time about my rates, and favor booking my place up rather than holding out for a few dollars more. I may need to list on other platforms. 

I also think Airbnb is very trustworthy, and looks out for its guest. So I think the recent changes will spook potential guest, as the search features directs them to expensive listings, down rabbit holes, and very controlling, that is very unusual and guest are already distrustful, so this change will likely drive guest away from the platform. 

There are reports and promises of Airbnb offering a real option for insurance for guest. This would be a major improvement and a step in the right direction. 

But like I said I'm not surprised one bit. Its been a great 2 years. I'm hoping to continue and provide accurate feedback. But feel this has been unnecessary waste of time to sort out all of this. 

I also made some adjustments. In the end I think its kind of like if you have a great listing it will book. Have to stay on top of things and there are a lot of other options. 

[John5097]

I'm not a lawyer, but if investment properties are paying for better search results, shouldn't is say "Sponsored" ?? 

Facebook, Amazon, and Google do this. 

For Facebook back in 2012 they started limiting page views unless the user paid to promote it. You would need to come up with very creative post to get people to share it to make it go viral. It was fun but when you paid to promote something, it said, "Sponsored". 

I don't know maybe I'm thinking about this too much. I was planning to just run my modest little listing as it has been a step in the right direction for me. Maybe other host enjoy all the convoluted nonsense. 

I was able to rebook canceled nights even on short notice so could be more flexible which worked out better for guest. But will wait and see. Maybe some adjustments will be made and will  just weed out the ones that don't bother to clean them. I'm noticing most of the listings in the highest search have at least a 4.9 for cleanliness. My experience as a guest staying is ABB with a 4.8 in cleanleness was terrible. I don't mind some ants and such, but next time will bring all my own bedding as I don't want to use the same bedding that hasn't been washed in who knows how long.  

[John5097]

The recent update makes more sense from corporate earnings point of view. 

Assuming Airbnb is trying to increase cash flow for the the company. 

So during the most profitable quarter Q3, (July-September) they are trying to upsell guest to more expensive listings for longer stays. Which is why they show availability for beach mansions during Q3. There is an abundance of travelers during this season so they want them to upgrade. 



Meanwhile other listings, like mine, are showing availability in Q4, as it increases ABB cash flow to book it for a week six months in advance, rather than 3 nights three weeks out. ABB gets paid, that is increase in cash flow, they get a week booking instead of 3 nights, and 3 night customer is upsold to 7 day in more expensive listing during busy season. (in theory) 

Maybe they will dial in the right balance. Maybe this will be a loss in cash flow. It seems that way. Guest are confused. Panic when they see a listing and dates they didn't choose. 

Maybe other changes, such as offering real travelers insurance, will help increase corporate profits and lower expenses and a better balance can be found. 

Mine stayed booked all though covid so think I'll still get reservations but rebooking canceled nights will be more challenging if this model is accurate. 

Other host are probably on board with longer stays, but its all about the customer. This seems to be such a major departure from on line shopping. I can't think of any other company that chooses products like this, and there is no shopping cart. Guest panic, thinking one click and bam  just instant booked a mansion at the beach for a week when they just wanted a three day getaway at an apartment within your budget in central location.