@Rebecca160
That's very odd. As far as I'm aware, the setting requiring a guest to have a positive review in order to IB still exists. It had already changed to only one recommendation when I switched on IB, but under my Guest Requirements settings it still says:
"These guests have travelled on Airbnb, are recommended by other hosts, and have no negative reviews."
Have you double checked that you still have the box ticked next to this in your settings? If you do, then I don't understand how this guest could have instant booked your listing.
If a host recommends a guest, then I assume that means they have reviewed them, or is it possible to just give a thumbs up but not write anything when reviewing a guest?
And since when was acceptance rate a criteria for Superhost? I thought it was just relevant for Plus listings, or has this changed? What I assume the rep meant was that if you cancel more than three IBs in a year, the fourth cancellation could cost you your Superhost status if the rep decides you don't have a valid reason. Airbnb's communication that a host can cancel as many IBs as they like penalty free if they are uncomfortable with a guest is misleading, because after the third one in a year, you have to get Airbnb CS to approve it.
You are right about the reviews. I find it reassuring to see a guest has several very positive reviews, but if they only have one review, it doesn't necessarily mean that much.