I’m with you about first timers @Penney0.
@Lizzie1 I concur about simplifying the text and stats surrounding superhost status. I’m not ok with the loss on the ratings because it’s unfair to conscientious hosts who have no control over guests (mis)understandings about how they work. I’ll explain below.
As @Penn1y mentioned, many of us spend tremdous amounts of time educating newbies about how to book and stay. It’s a worthwhile investment but it would be really great if the airbnb registration process offered a basic tutorial for guests before they look and book. It would benefit guests, hosts, and reduce the airbnb customer service call volume.
Same with the after stay ratings and reviews. It appears disingenuous for hosts to be telling a guest about how to review, however guests, especially newbies, do not understand the star system. It would be so much better if airbnb would simplify things and clearly explain it.
Guests often don't understand they can only rate and review actual experiences they had at my place as opposed to suggestions or comments that are fine to offer in a private message.
For example, I’ve had guests ding me for things they didn’t bother to read in the listing, “what if’s” for subsequent guests, and the “location” category has got to go. The location is described in the listing, shown on the map, and shared before the stay, so they chose it from many others and we can’t exactly pick it up and move it. Giving that a category is confusing to the guest and serves no positive purpose for the host.
Offering the following in advance to newbies about how airbnb bookings work, and are different than a hotel would avoid some common repetitive misunderstandings. Here are three: examples:
1- Welcome to an exciting new world of travel! Please complete your profile including a good recent facial photo. Just as you want to know who you’re staying with, your host wants to know who they’re welcoming. Puppies, kitties, cartoon characters, superheroes, and landscapes are nice, but they aren’t you.
2- As you begin searching our diverse accommodations, please remember each airbnb is unique so read the listings thoroughly and be sure to ask any questions.
3- These are Homes not hotels, so the check in/out may be different for each host in terms of timing and procedures. Please read the listing, house rules, your booking confirmation, and any messages from your host to be sure any questions/details are clarified for all involved...
Im sure other hosts could add more, but those are the basics.
Thank you.