Airbnb reviews and how to use them to your advantage

75% of Airbnb guests check reviews before booking, according to AirDNA. So it’s understandable how important it is for hosts to have their guests leave positive reviews.

Airbnb itself offers the following tips on how to manage the review process and turn guest feedback into improvements. Here are its recommendations:

Ask for feedback

Show guests that you’re committed to improving by asking for their input.

** Send a scheduled automated message upon check-out. Ask guests for private feedback, as well as specific ideas on how you could improve their experience.

** Leave a review for your guests. This way, you remind them to leave a public review for you. You have 14 days after check-out to leave a review for each other.

Learn from Airbnb ratings and reviews

Create a simple process to determine what suggestions to implement.

• Read every review. Thank guests for their input and consider what works for your property and operations, as well as what will work for other guests.
• Pay attention to star ratings. Guests can star specific categories and select from a list of good points or aspects that could be improved.
• Look for trends that guests are following in their ratings, such as “excessive clutter” in the cleanliness rating or “unclear directions” in the check-in rating.

Make improvements

You can always improve what you offer to your guests.

Respond to every review. When guests leave suggestions, thank them and respond to their comments. This shows that you take them seriously and you care. If you respond to a public review, your response will appear below theirs.

Focus on solutions. When there’s a problem, identify the root cause and find what’s within your control. For example, you can brighten up a dark room by using lamps, plants, and mirrors.

Share the feedback with your team. You may need to provide additional instructions to co-hosts and cleaning staff. For example, if guests find crumbs on the couch, report it to your cleaning staff.

Update your listing. Reviews are often a reflection of how well you’re meeting expectations. Make sure your listing’s amenities, photos, and description match what you’re currently offering.

AirDNA’s findings

In conclusion of the findings, AirDNA highlight:

** Consistent guest reviews build credibility for the host and the property. Reviews also improve the visibility of the listing and help create a better Airbnb hosting community.

** Having a host write a review for a guest first often motivates guests to reciprocate, as Airbnb’s double-coverage system creates curiosity about what you wrote about them.

** Hosts save time and maintain a professional tone throughout the process by having ready-to-use Airbnb guest review templates for different guest situations.

“When an Airbnb guest reviews your property, the benefits are apparent. Positive reviews and five-star ratings help boost your visibility on Airbnb search results, increasing your chances of securing more bookings.”