Bring back search by categories!

[Terri466]

I'm so frustrated as both a host and a traveler that the search by categories is no longer available.  Why or why remove that feature?!  

We host a glamping site - so folks found us when they wanted to camp. I've noticed my bookings through Airbnb are fewer this year than by other platforms such as Hipcamp.  

As a traveler, I specifically enjoy staying in treehouses - I am planning vacation now and am unable to find treehouses.  I'll have to use a different platform or just search the internet for websites and book directly.  

[Elegant-Homes-Retreat0]

Hi @Terri466,
Thank you for sharing your perspective—it's clear this change has had a real impact on both your hosting and travel experience.

The search by categories feature was genuinely helpful for highlighting unique stays like glamping, treehouses, and other special accommodations. Many hosts of niche properties have noticed a decline in visibility since its removal, and as guests, being able to search by experience made planning easier and more exciting.

@Airbnb, it would be great to hear whether there are plans to improve discoverability for unique stays again in the future. Features like this are what made the platform stand out, and they supported a wide range of hosts who offer more than just traditional lodging.

Thanks again for raising this topic respectfully, @Terri466—it's an important discussion for all of us in the community.

– @AryaStay

[Geoff7]

@Terri466 I agree with you on this. Personally I liked Categories - despite the fact that as i recall, it did have a bit of a rocky start. A lot of hosts in my area also like the categories. One suggestion that has come out recently which I really think is worth supporting, is that we should at least have a category for disability accessability - this is a group of guests who are often overlooked and find it hard to get the right type of accommodation for their needs.

[Kitty-and-Creek0]

@Terri466 

I agree completely - the categories were excellent for us and for our guests. It was convenient and an attractive feature to quickly shop for matches and not have to sort through properties that were not at all what we were looking for. Now it is a mishmash again, and no longer a convenient, focused search. Our guests tell us that this was a feature they loved and now it is tedious to search without it. For me as a prospective guest, it is less efficient, and thus less respectful of my time. I miss it!

[Emilie]

Hi, thank you for sharing your feedback with us on the recent update!

Airbnb has changed the homepage to make Experiences and Services available right upfront in the Airbnb app, and this new look enables the app to be more personalized for users. The search filter will now suggest homes, experiences and services nearby, in a destination that you’re booked to go to next. Airbnb will serve more relevant suggestions that are personalized for each guest. Guests will still be able to use filters to search for homes with specific amenities including pools, a waterfront location or accessibility features.

If you think certain filters would be valuable to add, such a treehouse or glamping as a type of property, you can let the team know directly using our feedback form: https://www.airbnb.com/help/feedback

Thanks, 

Emilie

[Kitty-and-Creek0]

@Emilie 

It makes a huge difference to hosts and to guests, to be able easily to shop and find matches for unique stays that the category search provided. We are hearing complaints about them being gone, and it is no longer efficient for us and our many traveling friends to search and find what we are looking for in a stay. The categories were wonderful and well loved!  Such a loss, and imho not a very good business decision.

[Joan2709]

@Terri466 

I would provide feedback to Airbnb as @Emilie suggests. Perhaps they can just add a section in the Filters that guests can use. Just add a section called Categories in the search filters: