"Read messages"

[Nicole995]

I think it would be extremely helpful for hosts and guests alike if there was a "message read" feature like iPhone imessage or FB messenger. 

Sometimes I send guests a message and they do not reply for days. It would be nice to know if they have at least read the messages have sent them. It would be helpful on both sides I think.

[J-Renato0]

I agree! Also like Whats App messenger 🙂

[Rebecca181]

Great idea, but likely won't happen for this reason: It would make guests more accountable, and that would go against Airbnb's increasingly guest-centric agenda. 

[Ava30]

Possibly, just possibly, if enough people, hosts and guests, sent this suggestion in under Product Feedback from the app, they might listen. It would be beneficial for bothe sides. I have seen posts in a couple of forums that indicate guests have this issue with some hosts as well. I am often complimented by guests because I answer so quickly. I do send in the suggestion on Product Feedback at least once or twice a month.

[Andyjay0]

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@Ava30 wrote:

Possibly, just possibly, if enough people, hosts and guests, sent this suggestion in under Product Feedback from the app, they might listen. It would be beneficial for bothe sides. I have seen posts in a couple of forums that indicate guests have this issue with some hosts as well. I am often complimented by guests because I answer so quickly. I do send in the suggestion on Product Feedback at least once or twice a month.

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[Lizzie]

Hello @Nicole995, @Ava30 , @Rebecca181 , @J-Renato0 ,

I really like this idea and I had to double check to see that it wasn't available already. It is funny how we get use to way other messaging functions work. 

It would be great to hear more thoughts on this and how it would help you as hosts, I would be happy to pass this idea over to our product team on your behalf. 

Thanks,

Lizzie

[Heather133]

I've asked about this a number of times in the forums here. It would be incredibly helpful in multiple situations. @Lizzie if there is anything you can do to facilitiate that feature we'd all appreciate it!

[Ange2]

@Nicole995    It's a good idea, at least to know they have received it.  But it may mean they have just opened it but not read it and that can be more of a problem because you assume they know what you have written but they don't. 

But, it's not always the guest's fault, sometimes it my experience it has been because they don't actually receive a notification. I know I often don't receive airbnb messages (a glitch mentioned by many a host) so I have taken to checking my account instead of relying on them.

[Susan1028]

yes @Angie0 i’ve has many guests complain about the app losing messages or not notifying, so i only use the website messenger.

@Lizzie

my property is located in an area where cell range isn’t dependable, and i’m off the beaten path, so for host and guest, communication is very important for eta’s and additional directions if they take a wrong turn.

Knowing if the other was able to receive a message is very helpful to everyone so we can manage time and stay safe.

[Beth80]

@Lizzie  Being able to see when or if the guest read the message would be helpful when you don't hear bacjfrom them in a while. I've recently had two separate guests never cancel or show up. Why? I contacted them multiple times but never had a reply. Did they get my message? Did they just ignore me? Changing the way we receive messages would clear up at least some of these questions.

[Cathie19]

Hi @Nicole995 . Like @Beth80 , @Ange2 , @Heather133  & @Lizzie - I would LOVE 😍😍 this add in feature. To assist hosts would be a nice thing... and documents and assists accountability. OMG ... creating a conversation & a host- guest relationship? Oh what a community thought!

Please please make it happen...... 

🙂

Cathie

[Christine479]

Would really like to see this feature, it is so frustrated when you just wait not knowing if the guest had received, read messages.

[Gigi84]

While I agree with this idea, isn’t it equally important for guests staying in our homes to make an effort to read our messages and listing details? After all, they booked through the app and they have an equal responsibility to stay updated with the conversation. We are co-equal in terms of responsibility in communicating with one another. More importantly, being a guest in somebody’s home is a relationship of trust. 

[Craig293]

Absolutely brilliant idea! It is for this exact reason that I contact our guests via what’s app as I am then able to know that there has been a send receive and almost immediately receive a reply. It is working well so far and definitely less frustrating that through the forum as the response is immediate. 

[Tommy150]

*BUMP - would also love this feature.  I just sent it as a suggestion through ABB Feedback.