If you want to earn more revenue from a San Francisco Airbnb, start by educating yourself. Find out what Airbnb guest reviews are, why they’re so vital to your financial success, how the Airbnb system works, what the official corporate Airbnb review policy is, what star ratings are all about, and, most importantly, how to achieve Superhost status.
It’s also helpful to know how to respond to both positive and negative reviews you receive. One way to learn more is to read a sample review for an Airbnb guest. Here are all the pertinent details:
How Do Reviews Work?
Guests leave reviews for hosts, and hosts can leave Airbnb reviews for guests. Note that Airbnb reviews for guests don’t affect your rating as a host. There’s a 5-star rating system for hosts based on the accuracy of the listing, cleanliness, value, communication, and how easy the check-in process is. Hosts who have an average above 4 stars attract more visitors and revenue in the long run.
A sample review for an Airbnb guest, left by a host, might mention how the guests adhered to the rules of the property, didn’t disturb other guests, paid on time, and were easy to communicate with. Guests can leave a narrative of up to 1,000 words. Hosts who maintain a 4.9-star or above rating are labeled “Superhosts.” They get a preferred listing on the Airbnb site, attract many more visitors, and gain access to special Airbnb promotional programs.
How Do Airbnb Star Ratings Work?
Star ratings are the way to excel in your quest to be a financially successful renter of Airbnb vacation space. While the ratings operate similarly to many other online merchant systems, there are a few unique points. Remember, firstly, that as a renter of private property, you are essentially in the hotel business as a solo owner/proprietor.
The official Airbnb website lists every host’s accumulated ratings, which consist of an average numerical star rating as well as all the individual star ratings and their individual narratives. Narratives posted by users alongside a given star rating can be up to 1,000 words. Only in rare cases will Airbnb administrators remove a review.
Why Reviews Are Important for Airbnb’s?
Reviews directly and indirectly lead to higher revenue for hosts. That’s because prospective customers search through many properties on the Airbnb website as they make travel preparations. The only way they have to judge is to use star ratings and narrative evaluations.
Statistics compiled by Airbnb reveal that hosts who have high star ratings and few or no negative reviews earn about 20% more than other hosts. A star rating of 4 and above is generally considered positive, with numbers below that as needing improvement.
In most cases, the fastest and surest way to boost your star rating is to focus on constructive criticism mentioned in narratives. Guests pay very close attention to cleanliness, ease of booking, and perceived value for their travel dollar.
Superhost Status and the Rating System
Superhost status is the gold standard for hosts. You must achieve and maintain a star rating of at least 4.9 to be on this exclusive list. You can get there by hitting high ratings on things like a simple booking system, fair pricing, excellent communication, and cleanliness.
In fact, cleaning is a factor that seems to be most important to the largest number of guests, based on millions of narrative reviews of host properties.
Is It Possible to Delete Any Airbnb Reviews from My Listing?
In general, reviews posted by customers on Airbnb’s website “are forever.” A host can’t just ask for negative reviews to be deleted. That would defeat the entire purpose of the system, and guests would have no objective way of evaluating host properties.
However, there are a few instances in which Airbnb will agree to delete reviews. Guests who tell outright lies in their reviews, who engage in criminal behavior during their stay, who violate the content rules of the site, or who try to bribe or blackmail hosts can have their reviews deleted. Content rules forbid hateful and discriminatory language, personal attacks, or other inappropriate posts.
How To Respond To Reviews
When guests leave good or bad reviews, it’s an opportunity for you as a host to respond. Don’t ignore any type of review. Responding in a timely manner shows potential renters that you are attentive to feedback and willing to use constructive criticism to improve the situation.
Positive Reviews
Positive feedback is like money in your pocket! Do the following five things with each positive review:
- Thank the guest for taking the time to leave the comments.
- Respond specifically. Never use a generic, template-type thank-you message. Tailor responses to points mentioned in their comments.
- Invite them to return to the property for a future visit.
- Keep the tone professional and polite. Don’t be too informal or casual. Remember that you’re dealing with a customer.
- Mention the positive things they noted in their review and reinforce your commitment to a great guest experience.
Negative Reviews
Negative reviews happen, so be ready to deal with them quickly and professionally. Fortunately, there are effective ways to respond and to minimize the chance of receiving more of them. If you get a negative review, respond in the following way:
- Do NOT become defensive. Write a calm and courteous response.
- Answer the specifics mentioned by the guest. Use quotations directly from their post so they realize that you read it thoroughly.
- Let guests know that they can contact you directly to discuss the situation further.
- Apologize for their less-than-perfect experience.
- Offer genuine reasons for the shortfall and explain how you intend to rectify the items they complained about. This is not the place for lame excuses, but a chance to accept and acknowledge constructive criticism.
How to Get More 5-Star Reviews
To generate more 5-star Airbnb guest reviews, think like a guest and focus on factors you have control over, like maintaining the highest level of hygiene and cleanliness, communicating clearly and honestly with renters, designing a user-friendly check-in system, setting a fair price point, and being 100% accurate when describing the property.
Ways to Get Visitors to Write Reviews
You can’t create Airbnb customer reviews out of thin air, nor can you rack up dozens of them in a short time. However, there are methods that have been proven to work for hosts who want positive reviews. Study the techniques and you’ll be on your way to building a higher level of income as a host.
First, read all Airbnb host reviews you receive, answer them, and note any common pain points among the narratives. Address those concerns ASAP. Second, encourage all guests to leave reviews, being sure to remind them before and during the stay to let you know what you can do to make their visit a positive one. It’s okay to leave a handwritten note in the room in which you thank them for staying and leave the web address for posting a review.
Final Thoughts
All Airbnb hosts can achieve Superhost status if they focus on maintaining excellence in the five main review areas: communication, cleanliness, easy booking, value, and accuracy of the listing.
It takes time to build up a substantial number of positive Airbnb host reviews, so patience and determination are the main factors behind long-term financial success for hosts. Encourage visitors to leave reviews within the next two weeks, or you risk losing their feedback.
Get in touch with us today. Let experts take care of your cleaning needs!
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Included in an Airbnb Review?
They’re all unique, but most refer to cleanliness of the property, host communication, value, the check-in experience, and the accuracy of the listing. One of the main causes of negative Airbnb customer reviews is that the rooms were not as clean as the customer expected.
What if I get a bad review on Airbnb?
The Airbnb review policy for reviews allows hosts to respond to negative reviews, as noted above. Be mindful not to argue with guest comments but to address them in a constructive, positive manner, explaining that you will improve in the areas mentioned and thanking them for their honesty.
Can an Airbnb host respond to a guest review?
Yes, but it’s crucial to be precise, fair, and professional when doing so. For positive Airbnb guest reviews, thank the guest and encourage them to return. Address their concerns, and thank them for giving you a chance to improve your performance as a host.
What is an example of a good guest review on Airbnb?
Positive Airbnb guest reviews of hosts usually look like this: “The host’s property is an excellent value in San Francisco. Check-in was simple, the rooms were very clean and smelled fresh, and the owner’s communication was exceptional. Thanks for a wonderful stay.”
