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Original poster

Question for Airbnb hosts please

40 replies

catfoodcatastrophe · 14/04/2023 16:25

Hi all

We left an Airbnb today, first time we have ever been to one. The host has messaged me to say that any rating below 5 is viewed on the platform as bad and that any under 4.5 can have their property removed from Airbnb. Is this true or is she having me on? How can anything under 5* (ie perfect) be considered 'bad'?!

The property definitely does not deserve a 5* rating but I don't want to cause problems for the host.

Many thanks

OP posts:
Violaviolin · 14/04/2023 16:26

Even if that's true (which I doubt) they can't tell you what to revise them as. Just be honest and don't get guilt tripped.

PuffinsRocks · 14/04/2023 16:26

This is bollocks and I'd write that she told you that on the review and report to air bnb because it's manipulating her ratings.

mast0650 · 14/04/2023 16:37

The first part is kind of true. Average marks tend to be above 4.5 so a rating of 4 is low. Certainly if her current mark is above 4.5 then a 4 will bring it down. But the bit about being removed for a score below 4.5 is complete nonsense! And she certainly shouldn't be messaging you about this!

Having said that. I once marked a tour guide who I thought was really good as 8/10. I thought that was a good score! I would only give 10 to the best tour guide ever! I wrote him an enthusiastic review. He messaged be very politely afterwards "for future information" to point out the average marks were over 9 and I had brought his average down. I felt a bit bad about it as if I had noticed the pattern of scores I would have rated him higher. He knew I couldn't change my mark at that point so wasn't putting pressure on and wasn't nasty.

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Original poster
catfoodcatastrophe · 14/04/2023 17:11

Yeah, it does seem quite manipulative. I just can't bring myself to give someone 5 stars when I really don't think they deserve it

OP posts:
MaireadMcSweeney · 14/04/2023 17:13

It's absolutely true. 4* reviews are viewed by airbnb as bad.
please remember you're not rating it as if it was a hotel. You're rating it according to the listing. Is it totally accurate? Then give 5. Did it meet your expectations? 5. Please don't downrate because airbnb have stupid expectations of hosts and explain the review process to guests extremely stupidly.

MaireadMcSweeney · 14/04/2023 17:13

mast0650 · 14/04/2023 16:37

The first part is kind of true. Average marks tend to be above 4.5 so a rating of 4 is low. Certainly if her current mark is above 4.5 then a 4 will bring it down. But the bit about being removed for a score below 4.5 is complete nonsense! And she certainly shouldn't be messaging you about this!

Having said that. I once marked a tour guide who I thought was really good as 8/10. I thought that was a good score! I would only give 10 to the best tour guide ever! I wrote him an enthusiastic review. He messaged be very politely afterwards "for future information" to point out the average marks were over 9 and I had brought his average down. I felt a bit bad about it as if I had noticed the pattern of scores I would have rated him higher. He knew I couldn't change my mark at that point so wasn't putting pressure on and wasn't nasty.

It's true! I have had the warning before when I've had 2 4 star ratings in a row. They tell you that if you don't improve they can remove your listing.

MaireadMcSweeney · 14/04/2023 17:14

PuffinsRocks · 14/04/2023 16:26

This is bollocks and I'd write that she told you that on the review and report to air bnb because it's manipulating her ratings.

It's really not bollocks. Are you an airbnb host?

garlicandsapphires · 14/04/2023 17:17

Hmm it may be true but it's not on for her to tell you what to write!

EllenLRipley · 14/04/2023 17:21

Air BnB reviews are utter nonsense aren't they? All blowing smoke up each others arses for the sake of a reciprocal 5* review. It reminds me of Nosedive, the Black Mirror episode

MaireadMcSweeney · 14/04/2023 17:24

garlicandsapphires · 14/04/2023 17:17

Hmm it may be true but it's not on for her to tell you what to write!

I've done it before - not told people what to write obviously but sometimes sent a friendly message saying that if there was anything they were unhappy with please let me know and an explainer of the rating system. I only did this with people new to airbnb. I got a 3* review once with a glowing comment which was pretty devastating and lost me superhost :( the guy just didn't understand the system. He gave me 5 for all the subsections but 3 overall 🤷🏼‍♀️

MaireadMcSweeney · 14/04/2023 17:24

EllenLRipley · 14/04/2023 17:21

Air BnB reviews are utter nonsense aren't they? All blowing smoke up each others arses for the sake of a reciprocal 5* review. It reminds me of Nosedive, the Black Mirror episode

It's impossible to give a reciprocal review.

Movinghouseatlast · 14/04/2023 17:31

Yes, I am a host and 4 means 'fail'. If your average falls below 4.3 then you can have your listing removed from the website.

When I started 5 years ago I got four 4 star reviews on the run. I had an email from Air BnB saying g that if I got another 4 star review my listing would be suspended because of unacceptable hosting standards. I was absolutely shocked as I didn't realise 4 meant bad.

The star rating system is not the same as a hotel star rating, where 5 would be luxurious and high end. It means that the property was what you expected based on the listing you saw.

The thinking is that a basic room in someone's home for £50 a night and a 5 bedroom barn conversion with a hot tub for £500 a night could both be 5 star properties.

Obviously it's bonkers but that's what we are dealing with.

mast0650 · 14/04/2023 17:38

MaireadMcSweeney · 14/04/2023 17:13

It's true! I have had the warning before when I've had 2 4 star ratings in a row. They tell you that if you don't improve they can remove your listing.

Show quote history

Oh sorry. I didn't realise. Given that you do see listings with less than 4.0 average, I assumed it couldn't be. I do actually rent out an Airbnb property. But strictly speaking I'm not a host as I have a professional host and she deals with all the reviews etc.

Seems a bit odd of Airbnb to start threatening to remove a property for a couple of 4s. People can read reviews and marks and make their own minds up!

mast0650 · 14/04/2023 17:39

I think the actual reviews are much more informative than the marks, given the clear upward bias.

mast0650 · 14/04/2023 17:42

In fact, just as we speak, I got a 4 star review! Only about my 3rd or 4th from nearly 50. Really annoying as the literally wrote that the "only issue" was "their own fault" as the didn't realise the bed was a double and not a US king as they are used to so didn't get much sleep. The listing says double. Grrr.

MaireadMcSweeney · 14/04/2023 17:45

mast0650 · 14/04/2023 17:39

I think the actual reviews are much more informative than the marks, given the clear upward bias.

Yes, to guests, but to hosts the only thing that matters is the star rating sadly.

fussychica · 14/04/2023 17:54

I'm not a host but a regular user of Airbnb. I write totally honest reviews and mark something down if it isn't totally clean, for example. If I have a problem with something not working for example I wouldn't mark it down unless the host didn't sort it out. I rely on the Superhost status and other people's comments to help me choose who I book with so I hope they are fair and accurate.
We stayed in a fab apartment in Salzburg recently but the sofa was the most uncomfortable I think I've ever sat on but I didn't mark it down as everything else about the apartment was excellent and other people might love it, though I doubt it!

I always use the private comments to the owner section to give any suggestions or negative feedback which isn't worthy of down marking.
I have only once been contacted by an owner asking for 5 stars. I gave the same review as I would have done if they hadn't contacted me.

Original poster
catfoodcatastrophe · 14/04/2023 18:09

Thanks folks. Our main issue was that she states 'super-fast' wifi on her listing when in actual fact it didn't work at all half the time. Can u give half marks on the original star ratings? The one that Airbnb email you?

OP posts:
malapast · 14/04/2023 18:12

Wi-fi issues would be a black mark for me - either that or some money back.

MaireadMcSweeney · 14/04/2023 18:14

You can't give half marks.
I wouldn't advertise my Wi-Fi as super fast but I do have super fast Wi-Fi which can be inconsistent because it's provided by Virgin who are known for inconsistent connection. It's still the fastest fibre optic available in this area 🤷🏼‍♀️
sometimes Wi-Fi goes dodgy. It's annoying but doesn't mean she was lying.

Movinghouseatlast · 14/04/2023 18:15

No, you can't give half marks. Did you contact the host about the Wi-fi? It may not have been her fault it wasn't working.

nocoolnamesleft · 14/04/2023 18:35

Note to self: never book AirBnB, clearly can't trust the reviews.

Babyat43q · 14/04/2023 18:36

That’s total rubbish - I would write that they tried to manipulate you in your review.

SheilaFentiman · 14/04/2023 18:41

I didn’t know this about stars - thanks, all.

SheilaFentiman · 14/04/2023 18:53

I‘m not surprised as I used to work for an American firm and they were all shocked at anyone getting a 3 (ie middle ranking, standard, average) in appraisals in the UK.

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