thanks so much for continuing this conversation!!
Airbnb now has the big corporate standards where the hosts are getting boxed into what airbnb wants us to do by the "Search algorhythms" . So much of the time, with big corporations, staff has to justify their postition by creating some new feature on the website, like “Free Cancellation”.
i certainly have never had any problems getting bookings over 290 days a year with my strict policy….but now i, and other hosts, that don’t want to be jacked around, are not even showing up in a search, unless they opt for a "FREE Cancellation" policy....
moderate is a step away, and seems like it still won't get you preference in search listings. you can look at all the first pages of listings....even if you have Instant Book, and are a superhost, like i am, we no longer get any preference. the algorhythms seem to be set against any hosts that have a mind of their own.
Airbnb tries to present to hosts that they care about us, when they show us time and time again, they only care if we conform….. what made airbnb special in the first place, was the unique quality of the listings, and the personalities of the hosts.