Did AirBnB change something on their platform last 36 hours?

[Rob69]

Hi All,

I have noticed, all of a sudden, if I search Airbnb for an area, without specifiying dates, it no longer displays a headline price for the listings it returns. You now HAVE to specifiy check-in and check-out dates to see a price. This looks like a new policy of Airbnb. Could anyone else confirm?

I get a pretty regular number of a views on my flat daily... so far the net effect of this new policy has been I've not had a single view for 36 hours or so.

Seems a slightly disasterous policy becuase often casual travellers aren't sure of their travel dates... so they search an area, see a price & picture they like and browse, maybe add to wish list etc. Now they can't do that. They have to specifiy dates which would exclude anything not strictly available on those dates.

Any thoughts anyone?

TIA

[Sandra126]

That doesn't happen for me, just tried a couple of searches. But they change things constantly. Sometimes it is a bug and sometimes a change, who can tell when they do not let us know? Some if it is a trial, I am sure. Such as host pictures, can you see them when you search without going into listings? I can't, they have been gone for over a week.

Donna in Delft mentioned the prices being missing a while back, maybe it is something which is rolled out gradually which is why it isn't the case in Australia (yet)?

Bad change if it is.

[David126]

Not sure when they changed it, but yes recently.

[James1]

It happens on some browsers and not on others

[Donna15]

@Rob69, I noted several days ago that the price is no longer visible when I click on a host's profile here on the Community forum. 

(As @Sandra126 mentioned, I submitted a request to the Host Voice section asking for this to be changed.)

However, a listing fee is visible when I do simple internet searches (i.e. outside of the forum). I use both Chrome and Safari.

(Perhaps you could go to the Host Voice and 'like' my request. The more that people support any request there, the more likely AirBnB is to make the requested change. For instance, there's now a large number of people showing support for the request to stop forcing new hosts to use Instant Book.)

[Leonie3]

It is the same with me! Guests usually first check the price of the listings and the the availability. The way it is now, the guest will look at listings that is way out of their budget and will surely put them off using Airbnb?! 

[Rob69]

I've checked this on Chrome and Safari now and it's the same.

I think it's madness. I have no idea what Airbnb are thinking!!!

[Sandra126]

I agree, crazy. I can still see the prices, but what I can't see is host pics or symbols. Missing in action since about a week. Do a search and see if you can see them, can't believe it is just me but I have not read any comments or complaints about this. Let me know!

@Rob69 @Leonie3 @Donna15 @James1 @David126

[Rob69]

I can see host pics (if you can't can you attach a screen shot when you reply?). Not sure what you mean by 'symbols'?

[Sandra126]

@Rob69, the symbols are superhost, business ready. Nothing there at all!

[Rob69]

Hi Sandra,

Nope I don't see those either. I see what you mean.

Btw, I just started a post in 'host voice' on this. I spoke to Airbnb support today and they confirmed it's a new 'feature'. Completely hair-brained to my mind.

[Sandra126]

A feature! Brilliant. It has taken the fun out of searches. Isn't the fact that a property has a host one of the main selling points of Airbnb? Will go right away and give the idea a tick.

[Rob69]

Sorry I meant the fact that prices are no longer displayed (here in London anyway) unless you specifiy check-in/out dates has vanished. They seem to have done away with the 'From..' price altogether. Which was a great marketing tool for hosts. And frankly made searching more fun too.

I didn't actually ask them about host profile pics (we seem to have those still in London). Maybe they'll roll that 'feature' out soon here!

[Sandra126]

I don't know, I have had the idea of host voice for a few days (to get them BACK) but only one person has ticked it, and nobody is complaining so maybe it is limited? In my opinion, it is a complete disaster. When you travel, don't you want to see the host? You can read so much from that little picture. I messaged Lizzie (admin) last week about the reasons why, is it another attempt at avoiding descrimination? If we can't see each other, we cannot descriminate? Have had no response.

[Rob69]

As I say, we still have host pics here in London on searches. Maybe they are testing stuff in different locations to see what effect it has. As someone else mentioned, if it aint broke don't fix it!

I just liked your post in host voice btw!