Rejected Airbnb Categories

[Tim-Sarah0]

My listing has been rejected for the category "Amazing Pools" 3 times.  I have called each time to get absolutely no help.  I have been told that listing categories is handled by a division of Airbnb named Elevate.  I have received an email each time with absolutely no reason for why the category was denied.  I have been a super host for 4 years.  My listing photos clearly shows the pool from multiple angles.  Our customer reviews clearly mention the pool.  WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO HAVE MY LISTING PUT IN THE CATEGORY IT CLEARLY BELONGS TOO!!

It seems like this is a common issue for Airbnb hosts.  How many complaints does Airbnb and Elevate need to receive before they make changes to the process.  IT SEEMS LIKE POOR HOST SERVICE IS HIGH ON AIRBNB'S PRIORITIES.  TO NOT FIX THIS ISSUE IS AN ABSOLUTE SLAP IN THE FACE FOR EVERY HOST ON THE PLATFORM.  OUR LISTINGS DESERVE TO BE REPRESENTED PROPERLY BY THE PLATFORM THAT COLLECTS MANY FEES FROM OUR CUSTOMERS.  

IF YOU ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE PLEASE POST AS MANY MESSAGES AS POSSIBLE.   THIS ISSUE WILL ONLY BE RESOLVED WITH MANY HOST VOICES.  

[Patricia2526]

Hi @Tim-Sarah0 

I reckon Airbnb automatically assigns categories based on listing details, photos, and descriptions.

Use keywords that match the category you want. If it’s a “ Amazing pool” mention “amazing pool” multiple times.  Airbnb’s system relies heavily on visuals.
Ensure your photos reflect the category you want. 

Airbnb considers amenities when categorizing. Make sure your listing settings align with the category.

Slightly adjusting descriptions, updating photos, or rewording titles triggers Airbnb’s system to reassess categories.

Hope this helps.

[Tim-Sarah0]

@Patricia2526 Please take a look at our listing and give me your opinion:  B
eachfont -The Nice Beach House/wPOOL in Puerto Rico.

Not sure what else could be done.  We have comprehensive photos and the pool is mentioned multiple times.

[Patricia2526]

Hi @Tim-Sarah0 

Please double check your amenities, I don’t see a pool listed.

[Frances3408]

@Tim-Sarah0. So have you set up an Elevate login where you can directly request these changes, rather than through Support?

After I did that it took around three goes but I finally got Beaches added to my categories. I was also able to have categories removed (again multiple requests required). Now all my requests are clearly tracked. Allow a few weeks for any requests.

So my advice is to be persistent.

But also have a look at some Amazing Pools category listings in your area (if any) to see how yours stands up.

[Tim-Sarah0]

@Frances3408 We do have an Elevate log in to request categories.  We have been rejected 3 times already.  It seems as if it took you 3 requests as well.  Do you think it should be this hard to have our listing in the correct categories?

Please take a look at our listing and give me your opinion:

Beachfont -The Nice Beach House/wPOOL in Puerto Rico.

[Kia272]

@Tim-Sarah0   Yes, AirBnB customer service can be horrible. It's like a Kafkaesque nightmare at times. 

Okay, so AirBnB obviously knows that you have a pool. It's listed as such, and acknowledged by them at the top of your listing. 

I don't know what differentiates a regular pool from an "amazing" pool, but here's what I think: 

Guests most certainly search for a property with a pool if that's important to them, but honestly, I don't think an "amazing" pool is going to make or break a reservation. The decision to book includes a number of factors, like guest capacity, number of beds, location, price, cancellation policy, etc. 

My personal opinion is that a pool being "amazing" isn't going to have that much affect on the decision to book. My experience with AirBnB is that it's better to not lose your sanity over something like this, but to find a workaround. 

Play up the pool in your description and with pictures. Do as @Patricia2526 suggested. Her point is that activity on your listing by you is likely to "wake the bot"- the AI that makes these decisions on categories. But in the meantime, don't make yourself crazy. Guests who are searching for a pool will clearly find yours. 

I agree with you 100% that  it shouldn't be this difficult, but obviously AirBnB has no desire to make improvements, or they would have done it long ago. 

Again, the difference between a pool and an "amazing" pool? I don't have a clue. But make the best of it and move on. The only thing you have to lose is your sanity, and it's not worth it over this. The bots will win every time.