How does Airbnb calculate your Review?

[Shane381]

I have been a superhost for several years and have had no issues with the way Airbnb calculates my reviews.  Until today. My last guest left a stellar review and gave me 5 stars in all categories except 'Location.'  In that category, he gave me 4 out of 5.  Airbnb gave me a rating of 4!  Can someone please explain to me how this is possible? I have an open case but the ambassador does not even seem to believe the explanation she was given.  She told me that not all categories carry the same weight and that 'location' is one of the three major criteria.  Is this true?  Any thoughts?  

[Mike-And-Jane0]

@Shane381 As often happens the advisor is wrong. Your listing rating is calculated using only the overall ratings you receive. The individual category ratings only affect that particular category. The Superhost rating again only uses the overall rating given for the last 12 months. Finally the overall rating is not a calculation from the location, cleanliness etc  ratings but a rating of its own given by the guest.

Does this help?

[Shane381]

Yes, thank you. It just doesn’t seem logical. My guest thought we’d have 4.9 out of 5 and is surprised that his review has brought us down so much. 

[Dawn241]

The location category is supposed to mean was the location “described accurately”, not did you “like” the location. This is especially an issue for my property in Bisbee AZ where different neighborhoods all merged under the same name and zip code. We are not in Old Bisbee which is walking distance to bars and restaurants. I still get 4s regularly in this category despite the fact my first line in the description of my listing is 

Listing description

Warren is a quiet neighborhood for sleeping and only a 3 mile/8 minute drive to Old Bisbee.

we still have an overall 5 despite several 4s for location. Hope this helps.