Ratings algorithm???

[Inge32]

What in the world is this? How can my "overall" rating be 4.5 when all the category ratings are higher than that????

How is the aggregate rating calculated?

[Susan151]

Overall is a star selection that the guest enters. It is not an average or an "algorithm" of the other categories.

[Inge32]

OK. It still seems completely irrational to me that getting high marks in all these categories is compatible with the "overall" mark being lower.

-So, Sir, how did you like our restaurant?

-The food was fantastic, the service was great, the wine list was exquisite! The prices were very reasonable and the ambience was incredible. Overall I give it a solid C!

WTH?

[Susan151]

Humans are not rational. That is part of the hospitality business.

[Inge32]

True enough, but I think it’s a bit much that Airbnb penalizes hosts that are quite clearly getting good marks on the key hosting  values, yet for unknown reasons are getting lower “overall” marks. 

My place is somewhat non-standard, it’s cheap, it’s a great value for the money, but it may not be “5 star” in some people’s eyes, and that’s totally fine. I’m happy to cater to a market that’s after “4-Star” accommodations at a reasonable price. 

Airbnb’s ratings policies seem to disregard that kind of hosting.