Guest Photo

[Rick-and-Caroline1]

We don’t like how you now don’t get to see the guest photo until after they have booked. Part of the attraction of Airbnb was being able to see a guest profile and their photo before they booked especially of new guests  - it humanised the process. 

[Stephen-and-Adam0]

Hi @Rick-and-Caroline1  in beautiful Mayo 🙂

Yes, that was a relatively recent change driven by addressing rising reported incidents of discrimination for reasons of race and religion.  It is unfortunate as it does dehumanise the process as you say and many hosts have been complaining about it.  

Adam

[Sergio507]

Host pictures are available for display prior to a booking. Does that mean that there is no discrimination from guests if they don't like the picture of the host? A bit of a double standard I would say. Also many guests dont even have a picture displayed or it is of a pet or other object. How do I know the person is who they actually say they are? Where's the oversight on this? Rules it seems favor the guest and not the host.

[Rick-and-Caroline1]

Mmm we have never refused any guest and have always had great guests from all over the world, that’s one of the things we love about being hosts we meet all sorts of people. If hosts are found to be discriminating then it is they who should be barred from Airbnb. It isn’t a good change to dehumanise Airbnb. 

[Ann489]

@Rick-and-Caroline1   There are many, many threads/posts in this forum, complaining about this latest "improvement" to the hosting experience.   It is just one more tool taken away from us hosts by Airbnb to help us to properly vet potential guests.   Airbnb used to be about matching guests and hosts; those days are over.   Now they are trying to push us to indiscriminately accept every reservation that comes our way--good fit or not.  It is indeed very disheartening.

[Mike1034]

@Stephen-and-Adam0I am more inclined to think that Airbnb purposefully implemented this measure in order to increase acceptance rate. Desciminayion was just an excuse for them to make the change. Indeed, it actually force more hosts to be more prudent and selective before they accept any booking request. I think that this is the most stupid move by Airbnb!

[Janet533]

What was the occurrence rate of non acceptance when it appeared to be discriminatory?

[Melanie33]

I too am not happy with no profile photo shown.  However it also seems that very few guests now “introduce” themselves with a decent profile so we can know a little about them.

[Elisha27]

The only way we can bring a change is by ACTING!

1. Stop accepting requests.
2. Let both the guests and AIRBNB know WHY you are declining.
3. Let them know you will not accept requests until they reverse this policy.

AIRBNB needs their customers, the guests, but without US hosts providing the rental property they cannot rent. Without us hosts, they have no business.

ACT! 

Elisha

[Elisha27]

The only way we can bring a change is by ACTING!

1. Stop accepting requests.
2. Let both the guests and AIRBNB know WHY you are declining.
3. Let them know you will not accept requests until they reverse this policy.

AIRBNB needs their customers, the guests, but without US hosts providing the rental property they cannot rent. Without us hosts, they have no business.

ACT! 

Elisha

[Elisha27]

The only way we can bring a change is by ACTING!

1. Stop accepting requests.
2. Let both the guests and AIRBNB know WHY you are declining.
3. Let them know you will not accept requests until they reverse this policy.

AIRBNB needs their customers, the guests, but without US hosts providing the rental property they cannot rent. Without us hosts, they have no business.

ACT! 

Elisha

[Pete69]

Tell the guest that the photo helps you differentiate between them and the burglar. This way they can't get defensive, thinking that you're trying to discriminate against them.

[Stephanie6]

Interesting, I just had a brand new airbnb user request to book.  I could only see a name and that the person had 2 verifications - no photo or reviews, no city/country info but wait!  Airbnb has a "bug" and I was able to see the person's profile pic in a different view.