Since the recent update, our guests are no longer required to respond to our instant booking message request. We have always asked to include the purpose of the visit and whether they're bringing any pets. Since that's gone away, we just get a booking and then silence from our guests.
I've set up a scheduled message now that goes out immediately upon booking:
"Thanks for booking our unit! Please let us know the purpose of your visit, whether you're bringing any pets (and how many), and whether you require a pack and play crib for any little ones. This is an automated message."
I set that to be sent out immediately upon booking. If there is anything uncomfortable about their responses, we can always initiate proceedings with Airbnb to cancel the instant booking for our comfort. It's essentially the same as before, but we just have to create the scheduled message ourselves.
Roger