New algorithm in 2023 was tragic for my buisness

[Jessica134]

I have hosted as a super host since 2016. I have taken all the suggestions the app recommends and even lowered my price point below a profit many times to avoid being empty. It seems year after year the bookings are more spread out. The app tells us that there are more hosts; therefore, there are fewer bookings.

 I want proof because I know in Los Angeles alone, they lost a high percentage of hosts after the short-term laws were enacted.

I also know that my massive slowdown happened after the 2021 algorithm change.

The update prioritized unique spaces instead of good hosts with a track record of happy guests. I have read many customer complaints on Reddit about cost; the app also increased their fees and customer service took a nose dive.  They always ended up speaking to someone in another country. Customer reps will always be reading off a script with automatic responses already set up, so any situation that doesn't fit the prototype will likely go unanswered in an effective way that solves the issue.

Media needs a villain, so they often claim "illegal" short-term listings are up. But we all know this is false because all the major booking sites BLOCK inquiries without a registration number. Is Airbnb on its last leg?

Has anyone figured out the algorithm? I have tried everything!

[Bhumika]

Hi @Jessica134 ! We've seen many Hosts discuss around the topic of algorithms and listing search placement. 

I wanted to share an interesting post shared by Host @Mario2880 about Airbnb Algorithm and Maximizing Listing's Potential . 

Not quite sure if you had already seen these articles, but thought of sharing them just in case they are of some help : 

👉 How search results work 

👉 Tips for improving ranking in search results. 

Wishing you all the very best with your listing🌻.

[Jessica134]

Thank you , but as a super host since 2016 the article has absolutely nothing to do with issue around algorithms.

Its good for new host with less experience that need to know how to boost their views.

 The article like all others place the blame on host as if airbnb has no system issues . There are absolutely no articles for  long standing listings with high ratings that typically stay booked that come to a absolute stand still for no apparent reason. . 

- This listing  stays super host status 

- Has above 4.8 stars consistently 

- has over 100 guest stays

- is in a highly desired area

- is a full one bedroom apartment with parking /air conditioning which is rare in LA most importantly, this listing is priced below market almost as the same as a room rental! 

This listing  has now been empty with zero inquiries since October over 4 months !!!

Airbnb has serious tech issues and issues with algorithms. Out if 10 messages sent to guest 5-6 will need to be resent due to an error code: 

Every December they add unnecessary nonsense to the app instead of figuring out how to boost long standing good host as a reward.

When they make these changes it always creates algorithms issues 

if you dont already have post holiday season bookings on MID-term stays

which is 31 or more

I dont think it’s built for mid term stays. Over 78% of all Los Angeles is under rent control so “short term is illegal “ the only option is mid term 31 days or more.

The plat form rewards turn over (short stays) not long stays. So this is a major issue. They need a special area for Mid term stays and a unique algorithm for those listenings. 

My last guest stayed about 4-5 months. He extended his stay so many times that the system blocked his last extension and a rep had to extend his stay.

This is a major issue!

Something is either majorly wrong with my account on this listing or the  algorithm thinks for 4 months no one was interested in my listing therefore it must not be a good listing! 

Please people dont  regurgitate the myth that there are “more host and less guest” 

in LA alone after the Laws killed mom and pops short term option handing it over to corporations with new massive complexes, Airbnb lost 80% of their short term in LA so naturally host left the platform.  Why do you think they still offer decent money on host referrals? 

NO airbnb outsourced their tech and customer service and it has never been the same since 2018!! Only keeps getting worse 

[Joan2709]

Hi @Jessica134 

I think you have touched on something that will definitely need to be addressed going forward due to all the restrictions being placed on Airbnb's. Many local governments are placing 30night (or more) minimums on STRs. Hadn't though of this before, but I do believe that the search algorithm takes into account how "active" the listing is, so of course the listings with 30day or longer minimums will have a lower search rank. Of course, only Airbnb can speak to all the factors that go into this and Hosts can't be sure, but Airbnb does say "availability" has an impact on search results. 🤔

Since Airbnb promotes long-term stays, perhaps they should include in the algorithm something that factors in listings that are required  to offer 30days or more stays? Not sure if that is possible, but the data should be available to them as these listings are required to register with their local governmental authority and post a registration number on the listing. 

Airbnb did add a "monthly search" feature, but many Hosts and more importantly guests, are not even aware it's there and I don't think this helps improve your search rank at all. Just helps guests find listings quicker that offer monthly stays:

[Robert5239]

@Jessica134 

I know that you were post is a few months old, but I’m here to tell you that things have only gone worse

I’m so tired of hearing the Airbnb operators and “community leaders “ Regurgitate some happy, blah blah blah. 

My listing is in the same situation as yours. I’m a super host with great ratings but this year I’ve gone for 60 to 80,000 a year to making 15. 

Every time you call, they’re super friendly, and super understanding, but the operators are not there to help you. They’re only there to patronize you.

I’m actually going to close my list for a little while.

I know it doesn’t make sense, and I’m cutting my nose off to spite my face, but I’m just sick of AirBnb giving me all these suggestions, I take them, and it’s still my fault but I’m not getting bookings  

Why does the algorithm have to be such a mystery?

[Jessica134]

Good morning, 

I started my Airbnb in 2016 in an effort to offset my extremely high property cost.

Since then a few things have destroyed this business for middle-class Americans'

1) Airbnb wastes time and money on constantly changing the app as if we will get bored making money so they need to constantly keep us engaged!

Every time they make major "December" app changes the algorithm is terrible and 

we all have to work 3 times as hard to restore your "good-faith" algorithm!

We don't need app change we need money!!

2) A large percentage of hosts legally had to move to "mid-term" rentals and forfeit our short--term businesses.

This is a completely different business! 

- Less money

-More damage 

- More downtime if you don't have overlap bookings ahead

-Completely no algorithm support

The algorithm is not set up to support Mid-term rentals.

The system works against the host because the algo is set up to respond to clicks and bookings.

If you have a guest for 3 months, your calendar is blocked and the algo thinks no one likes the listing!!! 

3) What Airbnb needs to improve the algorithm for long-term stays and rebrand

Categorize host that have over 6 listings as "corporate hotel owners" with higher costs and newer accommodations.

And have a : traditional Airbnb helps your community" category for folks who want to spend a little less and have the "staying at a friend's house" original Airbnb experience in exchange for the high cost.

So people don't think all hosts are charging or earning a  million $$. 

This will also create an appropriate expectation for guests.

BRING BACK THE ORIGINAL CULTURE FOR GUEST. IF YOU WANT A HOTEL EXPERIENCE BOOK THIS CATEGORY, IF YOU WANT A STAYING-WITH-A-FRIEND IN A REAL HOME EXPERIENCE, BOOK THIS CATEGORY!

4) POLITICS DID WHAT IT ALWAYS DOES:

2019 BANNING OF MOST MIDDLE-CLASS OWNERS FROM SHORT-TERM using us as the scapegoat for failed local policy.

if you had a property built after approximately 1975 with more than one unit, 

You were legally robbed of the right to do short-term!

5 years later we have a worse housing crises and rental/housing prices are higher!

This caused Airbnb to look for other ways to maximize profits. So they added hotels and their own Airbnb-owned properties in addition to outsourcing all customer service outside the USA.

YOU ARE  NOT ONLY COMPETING WITH OTHER HOSTS YOU ARE COMPETING WITH HOTEL VENDORS AND AIRBNB!

The connection to the housing crisis was always a scam that media and Officials promoted in bad faith.

 In LA over 80% of the short-term was removed, yet 

Homelessness is the same or worse and housing prices have increased since short-term bands.! Additionally, the economy for the middle class has tanked thanks to the false narrative.

As usual the wealthy with new buildings that are exempt from the short-term ban are doing fine. 

ONLY THE little guy and middle class were robbed by these policies.

in 2019 Airbnb complete closed all USA customer service and moved it outside the countries where they read from a script and often lack comprehension and cultural awareness making every single process very difficult.

They also drag out all situations with "I'll be gone for the weekend" ex