Asking Guests for a Review.

[Richard3559]

Is it considered improper etiquette to remind or ask a guest for a review? I had wonderful conversations with a recent week-long guest. They were delighted with the property, and even requested to re-book next year. I wrote my review, but none has posted on their end. 

Does AB&B send reminders to guests as well? Do they send just one, or do they send multiple reminders? 

I was wondering what the community thinks. Thanks for reading!

Rich

[Guy991]

Hello @Richard3559 ,

Absolutely. If you’re sure they’ll write a positive review, it’s a good idea. I once had a guest tell me they’d leave a 5-star review when they got home, but they simply forgot and missed the deadline. They even contacted Airbnb to try to write it after the window closed, but it wasn’t possible.

Since then, if I’ve written a particularly positive, detailed review for a guest and would really like them to review me as well, I’ll sometimes send them a friendly reminder message.

By the way, this happens the other way too. Some guests write their review first and then message me asking me to leave one for them as well.

I think it’s good practice. A review is also a lovely  reminder of the stay for both the host and the guest. As long as it’s not used to pressure people in a negative or manipulative way, I think it’s great!

[Richard3559]

Thank you for your advice and experience!

Rich

[Emilie]

@Guy991 I like your nuanced view on it, it depends on the situation 😊 How often do you think you do it usually, about half of the time/less/more?

[Guy991]

Hello @Emilie ,

Before check-out we send an automated message reminding guests of the check-out procedure and asking them to leave us a review. Sometimes they leave a review and sometimes they don’t. I don’t pressure them again. I only send a reminder if they haven’t written a review and there was a special connection because I want to remember that stay. I can count those times on one hand.

Sometimes I go through the reviews and it fills my heart with joy remembering some of my guests here. There are truly remarkable people who spread happiness wherever they go.

[Emilie]

Gotcha, thank you for the extra context @Guy991! Those very special stays and people that have made a real impression on your life should absolutely be marked - I'm sure you have talked about it, and it's slightly off topic, but do you also have a guest book in any form or are reviews your path down memory lane? 

[Guy991]

@Emilie , this is really off topic and actually an interesting question to ask as its own topic. You can also invite hosts to share screenshots of their guest books. I might even be convinced to have one myself.

Personally I prefer digital over physical so online reviews work better for me than on paper. I know there are hosts here who are very proud of their many years of collecting physical guest books.

[Emilie]

@Guy991 Good shout, I'll share the idea with the team -if we don't get around to it quickly and you're looking to be inspired, feel free to go ahead first 😉

Both physical and digital have their benefits I reckon -as long as each host finds a way to remember their loveliest guests! I'm glad you found this an interesting chat as well @Richard3559, and apologies for veering off your initial question. 🙂

[Richard3559]

Thank you! This has been a great conversation!

[Patricia2526]

Hi @Richard3559 Yes, Airbnb does send multiple nudges (not just one),  I also send a friendly reminder to review their stay..

[Richard3559]

Thanks You!

[Emilie]

@Patricia2526 Do you send that reminder systematically? I'd be curious to know how you word it 💡

[Richard3559]

Hi! This was the first time I did it, but after reading everyone's contributions, I may not do it again. Greystone, (lower in the thread,) mentioned review-request overload for consumers, and this is something I completely empathize with. If I needed positive reviews, I might send reminders, but I'm sitting on pile of good reviews, so why push it? That's my new thinking.

Rich

[Emilie]

Hi @Richard3559, 

How have you approached this so far, have you ever sent reminders like that?

I hope Guy and Patricia's input is helping you decide on your next steps, and perhaps a few other hosts could share their experience in regards to review reminders - what do you think @Joey28 @Nash-Cottages-LLC0 and @Greystone0?

Thank you everyone 😃

Emilie 

[Richard3559]

Good Morning Emilie,

I went ahead and sent a gentle reminder. My guest has not replied. The AB&B messages section indicates she has not read the reminder, although I don't believe the AB&B program to be accurate with its assessment. I believe, but I'm not sure, the AB&B program can only recognize if a person has read the message from the AB&B program and not from a forwarded message to an individuals email. Frankly, if the AB&B program can tell if you've read an email in your personal email, then that would be a terrifying breach of privacy. 

I tried this on a guest that has already stayed  with me and wrote a very detailed 5 star review last year, and she complemented me on the improvements this stay. I think she forgot and doesn't check her mail often. I'll post here if she responds. There's two days left.

Rich