Guests changing reviews and ratings after both are published - retaliatory

[Queenie0]

I am hearing stories of guests being able to change their review AND RATINGS after both host and guest reviews have been published. This should not be and must be corrected immediately.

Here is the example of what is occurring:

A host writes a review, usually a critical one, of a guest. Both reviews are published. The guest sees the critical review, and because they are within THEIR 48 hour edit period, are able to revise both their review AND star rating. This is in total violation of Airbnb's own policy:

Can I edit a review I wrote?

You can edit a review you’ve written for up to 48 hours after you post it, or until your host or guest posts their own review.

To edit a review:

1. Go to Profile on airbnb.com
2. Click Reviews
3. Select Reviews By You
4. Find the review you’d like to edit

If it’s been more than 48 hours, or your host or guest has also posted a review, your review can’t be edited or deleted unless it violates our content policy.

PLEASE FIX THIS NOW!

[Raymond-and-Elaine0]

I haven't heard of this before so if some hosts are experiencing it then Airbnb must put it right straight away. Thank you Queenie for pointing this out.

[Evelyn0]

I didn't think this was the case. And it shouldn't be allowed.

[Mary95]

f it’s been more than 48 hours, or your host or guest has also posted a review, your review can’t be edited or deleted unless it violates our content policy.

as I read this, it says once BOTH reviews are posted NO changes can be made.

[Stephanie64]

I totally agree, they should not be able to be changed once they are written and submitted.

[Pauline4]

Please correct this if this is to happen worldwide.  It makes no sense.

[Momi0]

It doesn't happen at all.  It just simply doesn't. 

People are getting confused: so I will try to make it easier to understand.

If I write a review of my guest, (and the guests has NOT yet written their review of me), then I can edit my review up to 48 hours). 

However, if a guests writes a review of me, (and I have not yet written their review, then the guests  can edit their review up to 48 hours).

But once both parties write their reviews, NO ONE CAN EDIT ANYTHING.  (and stars cannot be added/removed)

And undestand this, neither the guests nor the host can read what each other wrote until both reviews have published on each others accounts or once the 14 days have passed.  In other words, if the hosts writes a review, and the guests does not, Airbnb will not publish the review until 14 days review period is over. 

So it is puzzling to me how many hosts are posting comments that a guests changed their review in retaliation of the hosts bad review because that simply is not true. 

ONE exeption:  If a guests complains to Airbnb about a name being written about in the review that was not given permission to be mentioned by the booked guests, Airbnb has the ability and discretion to remove the travelling guest name at the request of the BOOKED guests.  

Hope this helps clear this up. 

[Queenie0]

Clarification: I am not asking if this situation is possible. It has happened. That is my definition of 'broken'. As a host, we all rely on Airbnb working the way it says it does. This post is simply a statement of AN EVENT THAT OCCURRED that should not be able to occur.

[Annette33]

Queenie, sure, if  this has happened or is happening, then indeed something is very very wrong. But as long as it is vague hearsay, in your own words you say, "I am hearing stories..."  - that is not proof enough. I have seen it often enough here in the forums that  things get wrongly presented as facts when they are just opinions based on misunderstanding or wrong interpretations of the rules - then it snowballs, gets repeated by other people and  a rumor is born.

Yet it is true, I have seen it with my own eyes, that  some hosts got reviews removed  that were NOT slanderous or lies, just mildly critical . So I understand that apparently some hosts or guests have the power to get that done.  That would be in line with the case you here describe. I would just want to see proof, then I'll believe it. 

[Queenie0]

Annette, I see what you're saying. Unfortunately there is no way for me to 'prove it' to you. I could amend my statement to "I am hearing stories from a few hosts whom I trust and respect' but that would not mean anymore than my original statement. After all, that would mean that the reader would have to trust my judgment. All very tenuous. I get that.

I am not claiming that this is a pervasive problem. I am reporting it here because  if it happens to even one host, it needs to be investigated because I would not want to be the next host that it happens to. 

[Annette33]

Queenie, yes.... taking screenshots before and after might be effective... but then, one needs to take screenshots of evrything, because one wouldn't know ahead of time what gets altered....

I would like to see a follow up from that host whom it happened to, at least a screenshot of the now 4 star overall ratings. 

[Christine522]

My recent guest has written a review on me and me on him so I was able to see what he'd written once I'd written mine. Only problem I have is that it's a rather good review but Airbnb have somehow not published it on my listing with the rest of the review. Does anyone know I can get it put on please?

Chris Crompton 

[Christine1]

Help Center results for ‘reviews’

• How do reviews work?
• Can I delete or reply to a review I disagree with?
• Can I edit a review I wrote?
• Can I leave a review for a canceled reservation?
• How do reviews work for experiences?
• How do reviews and ratings work on co-hosted listings?
• How do ratings and reviews work for co-hosted listings?
• Why aren’t my reviews shown in chronological order?

[Eliana52]

Question for Momi.

....neither the guests nor the host can read what each other wrote until both reviews have published on each others accounts or once the 14 days have passed.

Question 1 (exhample): if the guest publishes a review, and the host hasn't, can other people (a part from the host) read the guest review?

Question 2: how do you count the 14 days if the guest and the host are in 2 different countries, with different times?

Thanks in advance. 

[#15]

....neither the guests nor the host can read what each other wrote until both reviews have published on each others accounts or once the 14 days have passed.

Question 1 (exhample): if the guest publishes a review, and the host hasn't, can other people (a part from the host) read the guest review?

Question 2: how do you count the 14 days if the guest and the host are in 2 different countries, with different times?

Thanks in advance. 

[Momi0]

@Eliana52

HI - thank you for taking the time to reach out to me.  I will do my best to answer your questions.   (Don't forget to tag a host with the @ symbol to ensure it gets delivered. Look at how I did yours)

1. The only people that can read the review written by the guests BEFORE the 14 days is not over yet, and host has not written one yet, is AIRBNB.  Make sense??  

2.  That's a great question.  I called ABB to ask this as well 2 years ago.  Here is the answer.  The 14 day period is over in your timezone when you count the 14 days from your timezone check out day.  Not sure why you would want to wait until the last day to write a review, as that is ill-advised as you might run the risk of not having the time to write an honest review on a guest.  I never wait until Day 14 because its hard to remember the details especially if a host is already hosting a new guest.  I ususally write my reviews within 24-48 hours so I never worry about different country or timezones.   

3.  I also disovered that since I do host guests from various countries, they are traveling on a 5-6 week trip all over the USA and don't realize they only have 14 days to write a review, so at check out I take a moment to let them know especially since so many are new to Airbnb. Some tell me right away that they will write one once they get to their next destination and some say they will write one but never do.  

4.  Its never a good thing to pressure a guests.  I have never done that and never will.  What is more important to me is the hugs, the smiles and the gratitude I feel from them at check out when they say they wish they had stayed longer.   A lot of it is because they know that their next host is not making breakfast for them like I did.  haha

Hope you found this helpful.