How Does Instant Book Work? Concerned because a convicted felon instant booked my listing

[Melanie58]

Hello.  I have had my listing on Airbnb for 15 minutes.  During that time I turned on Instant Book because it said that the guests were verified by Airbnb.  My first guest quickly snapped up a three days stay.  I noticed it was a local person, which I thought was odd.  I googled this person, then searched their criminal history, and long story short, it is a local felon with a very lengthy record.  I did not feel comfortable having this person stay with my family, so I quickly cancelled the reservation.  

However, I now wonder if since they booked with "instant book" if they already received my address and other information about my home.  Do you know how much information is instantly shared with someone who books via instant book?

[Melanie58]

I cancelled the reservation almost immediately, and Airbnb has apparently followed up with the potential guest and will follow up with me in the future.

[Jillie1]

I'm glad I read this as I have been wondering whether to use Instant Book myself.  I definitely won't now!  

[Sarah282]

Problem is that airbnb will not let you remove instant booking.

I reently joined as a host and i saw there was an instant booking  option on my  calendar, and there s no way I can remove that feature.

i think I will  stop using airbnb and go to another site

The whole point of air bne was that  you coud chose who stayed in your house

Now they are just looking to maximise their fees 

[Carolyn5]

You can disable IB. I did.

Disable Instant Book through Host, Manage Listings, Calendar & More, Booking (from Drop Down menu on left) then select last option requiring your response to request. Red icon will disappear after 24 hours

[Lachelle0]

Was wondering if you could tell me I accidentally had Insta book on when someone booked a  4 day stay I cancelled them becaUe I need the space to be used for the whole 9 days but this persons booking says cancelled it's just remained on my calendar so no one else can book that time do you why this is and how can I get my clanedar days back to say available by the way I don't like Insta book and why use it again because of this reason thanks 

[Miriam82]

you can disable it or choose not to use IB but then your listing is difficult to find in the search 

[Francesca18]

Yes there is you go into booking on the left and click on it you have a choice there to remove it. 

[Kristin93]

THIS, exactly.

[Marj0]

Home Away is doing the smae thing.

[David-And-Frances0]

@Sarah282 We had trouble removing it on our computer but found it was easy when we used the app on our phone.

Hope this helps,

Fran

[Andrea275]

I am confused also about how Instant Book works. I thought I had it set up , but the last three weeks the potential renters have made an inquiry instead of reserving. I live in a location outside of cell phone and internet signal, so I wanted to have Instant Book set up, so i would never miss a reservation. Lost one a couple weeks ago, because of this.

[Carol85]

Could someone please tell me how to get rid of Instant Book? I have followed the printed instructions on the help page, but I don't find any "Instant Book" listed. I was approving guests without Instant Book and all of a sudden someone Instant Booked today without me changing anything. How did this happen? How do I turn it off? I can't find the location on the site to do so. 

[Yannis2]

Same here! what a horror. If you find a solution please please inform me back.

I added a private room in my flat last night and it went to instant book by default I guess.

Hosts should have the option not to use this feature.

[Peter177]

Same thing with me. They instant booked me and i never ticked any box saying i wanted it. How do you switch it off???

[Peter177]

Actually its quite easy. Edit your 'basics' and you have 3 options of whether you want instant booking. Its just not very understandable the first time you do it what the implications are.