**New Warning Message If Links in Scheduled Messages

[Joan2709]

Just a heads up...

Airbnb is now displaying this warning message if you have a link in any scheduled messages. For example, if you have a link to a House Manual or Host Guidebook in GoogleDocs or DropBox, guests will see this warning message when clicking the link:

You may need to add an explanation in your scheduled message as we are seeing guests asking questions about this warning message and not wanting to click the link. This is especially true with those using a Channel Manager that and you require a security deposit that is processed by the Channel Manager and a link is displayed in a message for the guest to click to process the security deposit.

[Emiel1]

@Joan2709 

The message is extra annoying because the reminder "do not pay outside of Airbnb"

It has been appearing for a while on any (non-Airbnb) link in the message system.

Using a desktop opens the clicked link often in a new tab, displaying the message there.

Of course not "leaving Airbnb", Airbnb is still in the other tab...

[Joan2709]

@Emiel1 

Thanks for confirming. I just happened to notice it yesterday when working with a Host with a Channel Manager. Since Channel Managers are allowed to send links to guests to obtain a Security Deposit, Airbnb should NOT be adding that warning - it throws guests off and makes them suspicious it is a fake website to get their money. It is making it difficult for us to collect the security deposit, which IS permitted for Hosts using channel managers.

Security Deposits

https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/140

Could one of the moderators forward this to the appropriate Team at Airbnb and advise they should not be displaying this warning message when Hosts using Channel Managers are directing the guests off platform to collect the security deposit. If they won't remove the warning message, then at least state that security deposit collection IS permitted.

@Rebecca @Bhumika 

[Emilie]

Thank you Joan and Emiel for discussing this one! I have forwarded your notes to the team as well now. 🙂