Discover data-driven tips to boost your vacation rental revenue in 2024 and beyond. Maximize returns with strategic insights for your property.

Airbnb allows guests to leave feedback for hosts in the form of ratings—which are measured on a scale of 1 to 5 stars—and reviews. These allow guests to provide written feedback about their experience staying at the property.

Airbnb ratings are critical to your success as a host because they impact future guests’ decisions to stay at your property. Ratings also give you a competitive advantage and build your reputation as a great host.

Receiving positive reviews and five-star ratings can help you become an Airbnb Superhost, which has been shown to increase occupancy rates and annual revenue potential.

Booking the right vacation home can be a challenge for potential guests. With countless short-term rentals available, many travelers struggle to separate the extraordinary properties from the ordinary. Airbnb ratings are there to offer trust and credibility, helping travelers navigate what can be a challenging booking process. 

Though Airbnb ratings are a tool for guests, they’re also pivotal to your success as a host or investor. Receiving positive guest reviews can influence your Airbnb rating and ultimately affect your property’s performance in the short-term rental market. On the other hand, negative reviews can stop your business in its tracks. 

Let’s take a look at how Airbnb ratings work, how they reflect the guest experience, and how you can use them to strengthen your short-term rental strategy moving forward. 

Reviews are the lifeblood of Airbnb and give both hosts and guests a chance to share feedback about their experience. Airbnb’s review system combines a star rating and a written review of up to 1,000 words. 

After a guest stays, they have 14 days to leave a review, including in-depth written feedback and a star rating of 1 to 5 stars. Airbnb hosts can also leave a guest rating to indicate how the guest treated the property during their stay. 

Airbnb’s star rating system covers categories such as:

This review system shapes the reputation of both hosts and guests and helps to influence future reservations. Airbnb hosts who provide honest feedback and maintain a commitment to excellence cultivate a positive reputation, attracting discerning travelers who are looking for exceptional accommodations.

Your vacation rental may be amazing, but is it better than your competition? Connect your Airbnb listing to AirDNA to see its Booking Performance Score

Airbnb star ratings are a fundamental piece of the platform's review system. They let guests evaluate and provide quantitative feedback on their experience with both the property and the host. 

Overall Rating: Guests rate their overall experience on a scale of 1 to 5 stars, with a 5-star review indicating an exceptional stay and 1 star representing a poor experience.

Rating Categories: Along with the overall rating, guests can rate specific categories like cleanliness, listing accuracy, host communication, ease of check-in, and overall value.

Average Rating: Airbnb calculates an average based on individual category ratings as well as the overall rating.

Ratings are visible to both hosts and potential guests; hosts can track how guests have responded to their property over time, while guests can get insight into the quality of the property and the host's hospitality. Your rating can also impact your listing’s visibility. 

Airbnb gives better ranking to properties with higher ratings. Superhost status is also available for hosts who consistently receive high ratings, giving them access to benefits like:

Promotional opportunities on the Airbnb platform

For this reason, understanding Airbnb star ratings is not only essential to providing exceptional guest experiences but also maintaining a positive reputation that’s powerful enough to drive bookings.

Airbnb ratings determine a property’s success on the platform in almost all circumstances. Aiming for a 5-star review is key to providing the kind of guest experiences that result in successful short-term rental businesses. 

Guest Decision-Making: Positive ratings signal trustworthiness, cleanliness, and overall satisfaction, making some properties more appealing than others.

Host Reputation: Ratings directly impact a host's reputation on Airbnb. Maintaining high ratings is essential for achieving Superhost status and enjoying benefits such as increased visibility in search results and access to exclusive support resources.

Continuous Improvement: Ratings provide valuable feedback for Airbnb hosts, highlighting areas of strength and areas that may need improvement. 

Competitive Advantage: Properties with higher ratings tend to attract more bookings and command higher rates, which maximizes earnings. AirDNA data shows that listings with an average rating of 4.9 stars or above in 2023 enjoyed a 9.7% higher occupancy rate, a 7.7% higher average daily rate (ADR), and 18.2% higher revenue than their lower-rated counterparts.

How the Rating System Affects Superhost Status 

Airbnb ratings are pivotal in determining a host's eligibility for Superhost status. Without a near 5-star rating, hosts will not qualify for the platform’s prestigious designation or its accompanying benefits. The proof is in the data. Hosts that reached Superhost status in 2023 received consistently superior guest review ratings across all metrics compared to non-Superhosts.

Check out our guide on how to Airbnb Superhost status to understand how to achieve this special designation! 

Can I Remove Selected Airbnb Reviews from My Listing?

While hosts can respond to guest reviews, they generally cannot remove them unless the review violates Airbnb’s content policies. 

Circumstances where Airbnb may remove a review include:

Violation of Content Policies: Reviews containing inappropriate content, such as discriminatory language, hate speech, or personal attacks, may be eligible for removal. Hosts can report these reviews to Airbnb.

False Information: If a review contains false information or inaccuracies, hosts can reach out to Airbnb to request a review of the content. 

Extenuating Circumstances: In rare cases where guests violate Airbnb's policies or engage in inappropriate behavior, hosts can report incidents to Airbnb for possible removal.

Extortion or Blackmail: If a guest threatens a host with a negative review to obtain a refund or other benefits, Airbnb considers this behavior as extortion and may remove the review.

Hosts should familiarize themselves with Airbnb's review policies and guidelines to understand the circumstances in which reviews may be removed. More importantly, though, hosts should focus on exceptional hospitality to minimize the likelihood of negative reviews.

Receiving positive Airbnb ratings and reviews is not only rewarding but also an opportunity to build on your reputation as a host. If guests leave a winning review, respond by: 

Expressing Thanks: Show gratitude for the positive feedback.

Personalizing: Address specific points mentioned in the review.

Highlighting Positives: Reinforce what the guest enjoyed about their stay.

Inviting Them to Return: Extend an invitation for future stays.

Staying Professional: Maintain a courteous and professional tone.

Responding to positive reviews promptly and thoughtfully shows appreciation for guest feedback while demonstrating a commitment to professionalism and hospitality. 

The way you respond to negative reviews is every bit as important as how you respond to positive ones. You can’t make every guest happy, but you do want to show future guests that you care about their experience. 

Acknowledge Feedback: Show that you've read and understood their concerns.

Apologize: Express genuine apologies for the guest’s inconvenience. 

Provide Solutions: Offer solutions or explanations to address the issue.

Stay Professional: Maintain a calm and respectful tone and avoid defensive responses.

Encourage Dialogue: Invite the guest to reach out directly to resolve further concerns.

Negative feedback offers an opportunity to improve your hosting experience and ensure a positive experience for future guests. Promptly and professionally addressing concerns can mitigate the impact of negative reviews and uphold your reputation on Airbnb.

Asking your guests to leave a review may be tempting, but the best feedback you’ll get is the kind you don’t solicit. The most effective way to encourage Airbnb ratings is to provide exceptional hospitality throughout each stay, including:

Prompt Communication: Ensure your guests have the information they need to easily check in and enjoy the features of your property. Make yourself available if anything doesn’t go according to plan; even smart locks malfunction from time to time. 

Cleanliness: Your property should be spotless. From clean bedding and linens to mopped floors and sparkling countertops, going the extra mile to make every space fresh will go a long way with your guests. 

Attention to Detail: Guests gladly rave about hosts who go the extra mile. That could be a welcome basket with curated goodies or a thoughtful virtual guidebook to help your guests explore your area.   

You might also consider sending a friendly reminder message after check-out to express gratitude and kindly ask for a review. Some hosts even offer incentives such as future booking discounts. 

Unfortunately, there’s no shortcut to getting a five-star review on Airbnb. The only solution is to deliver a memorable guest experience from start to finish. 

Ensuring clear communication before arrival

Offering amenities that exceed expectations

Personalizing the guest experience and going the extra mile 

Airbnb hosts have opportunities to rate and review their guests following a stay. This reciprocal approach lets hosts share experiences and impressions with other hosts on the platform. 

When reviewing guests, focus on providing constructive feedback based on their behavior during their stay. Highlight positive aspects such as communication, cleanliness, and adherence to house rules. If there were any issues or concerns, address them tactfully and professionally. 

Remember that your reviews can impact other hosts' decisions to accept booking requests from future guests. Honest and fair assessments are critical to the overall trust and transparency of the Airbnb community.

Gain insights into the revenue and occupancy trends in your market

An Airbnb review consists of two components: written feedback and a star rating. The written review lets guests share their experience during their stay, including details about the property, amenities, cleanliness, communication with the host, and overall satisfaction. 

The accompanying star rating system provides a simple measurement of the guest's experience across categories such as cleanliness, accuracy of the listing, communication, check-in process, and value for money. 

These combined elements offer valuable insights for both hosts and potential guests, helping to build trust and inform future reservations.

Airbnb allows guests 14 days after checkout to leave a review. During this time, guests can reflect on their experience, provide feedback, and rate various aspects of their stay. 

The limited timeframe ensures that guests have enough time to think about and share their experiences while the details are still fresh in their minds. As hosts, it's essential to encourage guests to leave reviews promptly to maintain an active and positive reputation on the platform.

Plan your STR strategy based on real booking activity and trends—plus, see how things change year over year

Airbnb ratings can either pave the way to Super Host status or significantly limit your property’s performance. Learn about the Airbnbs rating and review system and how to improve your rentals’ ratings.

22 Tips to Maximize the Return on Your Vacation Rental in 2024

Rating System's Impact on Superhost Status

A Host’s Guide to Airbnb Ratings

Key Takeaways
Airbnb allows guests to leave feedback for hosts in the form of ratings—which are measured on a scale of 1 to 5 stars—and reviews. These allow guests to provide written feedback about their experience staying at the property.
Airbnb ratings are critical to your success as a host because they impact future guests’ decisions to stay at your property. Ratings also give you a competitive advantage and build your reputation as a great host.
Receiving positive reviews and five-star ratings can help you become an Airbnb Superhost, which has been shown to increase occupancy rates and annual revenue potential.

Booking the right vacation home can be a challenge for potential guests. With countless short-term rentals available, many travelers struggle to separate the extraordinary properties from the ordinary. Airbnb ratings are there to offer trust and credibility, helping travelers navigate what can be a challenging booking process. 

Though Airbnb ratings are a tool for guests, they’re also pivotal to your success as a host or investor. Receiving positive guest reviews can influence your Airbnb rating and ultimately affect your property’s performance in the short-term rental market. On the other hand, negative reviews can stop your business in its tracks. 

Let’s take a look at how Airbnb ratings work, how they reflect the guest experience, and how you can use them to strengthen your short-term rental strategy moving forward. 

How Do Airbnb Reviews Work?

Reviews are the lifeblood of Airbnb and give both hosts and guests a chance to share feedback about their experience. Airbnb’s review system combines a star rating and a written review of up to 1,000 words. 

After a guest stays, they have 14 days to leave a review, including in-depth written feedback and a star rating of 1 to 5 stars. Airbnb hosts can also leave a guest rating to indicate how the guest treated the property during their stay. 

Airbnb’s star rating system covers categories such as:

Cleanliness
Communication
Check-in experience
Accuracy of listing description
Value for money

This review system shapes the reputation of both hosts and guests and helps to influence future reservations. Airbnb hosts who provide honest feedback and maintain a commitment to excellence cultivate a positive reputation, attracting discerning travelers who are looking for exceptional accommodations.

How is your STR performing?

Your vacation rental may be amazing, but is it better than your competition? Connect your Airbnb listing to AirDNA to see its Booking Performance Score

See your score
How Do Airbnb Star Ratings Work?

Airbnb star ratings are a fundamental piece of the platform's review system. They let guests evaluate and provide quantitative feedback on their experience with both the property and the host. 

Here's how Airbnb star ratings work:

Overall Rating: Guests rate their overall experience on a scale of 1 to 5 stars, with a 5-star review indicating an exceptional stay and 1 star representing a poor experience.
Rating Categories: Along with the overall rating, guests can rate specific categories like cleanliness, listing accuracy, host communication, ease of check-in, and overall value.
Average Rating: Airbnb calculates an average based on individual category ratings as well as the overall rating.

Ratings are visible to both hosts and potential guests; hosts can track how guests have responded to their property over time, while guests can get insight into the quality of the property and the host's hospitality. Your rating can also impact your listing’s visibility. 

Airbnb gives better ranking to properties with higher ratings. Superhost status is also available for hosts who consistently receive high ratings, giving them access to benefits like:

Increased visibility
Greater trustworthiness
Promotional opportunities on the Airbnb platform

For this reason, understanding Airbnb star ratings is not only essential to providing exceptional guest experiences but also maintaining a positive reputation that’s powerful enough to drive bookings.

Find your next investment

Why Are Airbnb Ratings Important?

Airbnb ratings determine a property’s success on the platform in almost all circumstances. Aiming for a 5-star review is key to providing the kind of guest experiences that result in successful short-term rental businesses. 

Airbnb ratings impact:

Guest Decision-Making: Positive ratings signal trustworthiness, cleanliness, and overall satisfaction, making some properties more appealing than others.
Host Reputation: Ratings directly impact a host's reputation on Airbnb. Maintaining high ratings is essential for achieving Superhost status and enjoying benefits such as increased visibility in search results and access to exclusive support resources.
Continuous Improvement: Ratings provide valuable feedback for Airbnb hosts, highlighting areas of strength and areas that may need improvement. 
Competitive Advantage: Properties with higher ratings tend to attract more bookings and command higher rates, which maximizes earnings. AirDNA data shows that listings with an average rating of 4.9 stars or above in 2023 enjoyed a 9.7% higher occupancy rate, a 7.7% higher average daily rate (ADR), and 18.2% higher revenue than their lower-rated counterparts.

Keep an eye on your STR competition

How the Rating System Affects Superhost Status 

Airbnb ratings are pivotal in determining a host's eligibility for Superhost status. Without a near 5-star rating, hosts will not qualify for the platform’s prestigious designation or its accompanying benefits. The proof is in the data. Hosts that reached Superhost status in 2023 received consistently superior guest review ratings across all metrics compared to non-Superhosts.

Check out our guide on how to Airbnb Superhost status to understand how to achieve this special designation! 

Can I Remove Selected Airbnb Reviews from My Listing?

While hosts can respond to guest reviews, they generally cannot remove them unless the review violates Airbnb’s content policies. 

Circumstances where Airbnb may remove a review include:

Violation of Content Policies: Reviews containing inappropriate content, such as discriminatory language, hate speech, or personal attacks, may be eligible for removal. Hosts can report these reviews to Airbnb.
False Information: If a review contains false information or inaccuracies, hosts can reach out to Airbnb to request a review of the content. 
Extenuating Circumstances: In rare cases where guests violate Airbnb's policies or engage in inappropriate behavior, hosts can report incidents to Airbnb for possible removal.
Extortion or Blackmail: If a guest threatens a host with a negative review to obtain a refund or other benefits, Airbnb considers this behavior as extortion and may remove the review.

Hosts should familiarize themselves with Airbnb's review policies and guidelines to understand the circumstances in which reviews may be removed. More importantly, though, hosts should focus on exceptional hospitality to minimize the likelihood of negative reviews.

How is your STR performing?

Your vacation rental may be amazing, but is it better than your competition? Connect your Airbnb listing to AirDNA to see its Booking Performance Score

See your score
How to Respond to Positive Reviews

Receiving positive Airbnb ratings and reviews is not only rewarding but also an opportunity to build on your reputation as a host. If guests leave a winning review, respond by: 

Expressing Thanks: Show gratitude for the positive feedback.
Personalizing: Address specific points mentioned in the review.
Highlighting Positives: Reinforce what the guest enjoyed about their stay.
Inviting Them to Return: Extend an invitation for future stays.
Staying Professional: Maintain a courteous and professional tone.

Responding to positive reviews promptly and thoughtfully shows appreciation for guest feedback while demonstrating a commitment to professionalism and hospitality. 

How to Respond to Negative Reviews

The way you respond to negative reviews is every bit as important as how you respond to positive ones. You can’t make every guest happy, but you do want to show future guests that you care about their experience. 

Make sure to:

Acknowledge Feedback: Show that you've read and understood their concerns.
Apologize: Express genuine apologies for the guest’s inconvenience. 
Provide Solutions: Offer solutions or explanations to address the issue.
Stay Professional: Maintain a calm and respectful tone and avoid defensive responses.
Encourage Dialogue: Invite the guest to reach out directly to resolve further concerns.

Negative feedback offers an opportunity to improve your hosting experience and ensure a positive experience for future guests. Promptly and professionally addressing concerns can mitigate the impact of negative reviews and uphold your reputation on Airbnb.

Get custom insights for your Airbnb

How to Encourage Guests to Leave Reviews

Asking your guests to leave a review may be tempting, but the best feedback you’ll get is the kind you don’t solicit. The most effective way to encourage Airbnb ratings is to provide exceptional hospitality throughout each stay, including:

Prompt Communication: Ensure your guests have the information they need to easily check in and enjoy the features of your property. Make yourself available if anything doesn’t go according to plan; even smart locks malfunction from time to time. 
Cleanliness: Your property should be spotless. From clean bedding and linens to mopped floors and sparkling countertops, going the extra mile to make every space fresh will go a long way with your guests. 
Attention to Detail: Guests gladly rave about hosts who go the extra mile. That could be a welcome basket with curated goodies or a thoughtful virtual guidebook to help your guests explore your area.   

You might also consider sending a friendly reminder message after check-out to express gratitude and kindly ask for a review. Some hosts even offer incentives such as future booking discounts. 

How to Get More Five-Star Ratings

Unfortunately, there’s no shortcut to getting a five-star review on Airbnb. The only solution is to deliver a memorable guest experience from start to finish. 

This includes:

Ensuring clear communication before arrival
Providing a clean and comfortable space
Offering amenities that exceed expectations
Addressing guest issues promptly 
Personalizing the guest experience and going the extra mile 

Rating and Reviewing Your Guests

Airbnb hosts have opportunities to rate and review their guests following a stay. This reciprocal approach lets hosts share experiences and impressions with other hosts on the platform. 

When reviewing guests, focus on providing constructive feedback based on their behavior during their stay. Highlight positive aspects such as communication, cleanliness, and adherence to house rules. If there were any issues or concerns, address them tactfully and professionally. 

Remember that your reviews can impact other hosts' decisions to accept booking requests from future guests. Honest and fair assessments are critical to the overall trust and transparency of the Airbnb community.

Research Airbnb Markets

Gain insights into the revenue and occupancy trends in your market

Start for free
Frequently Asked Questions

What Is Included in an Airbnb Review?

An Airbnb review consists of two components: written feedback and a star rating. The written review lets guests share their experience during their stay, including details about the property, amenities, cleanliness, communication with the host, and overall satisfaction. 

The accompanying star rating system provides a simple measurement of the guest's experience across categories such as cleanliness, accuracy of the listing, communication, check-in process, and value for money. 

These combined elements offer valuable insights for both hosts and potential guests, helping to build trust and inform future reservations.

When Do Guests Post Reviews on Airbnb?

Airbnb allows guests 14 days after checkout to leave a review. During this time, guests can reflect on their experience, provide feedback, and rate various aspects of their stay. 

The limited timeframe ensures that guests have enough time to think about and share their experiences while the details are still fresh in their minds. As hosts, it's essential to encourage guests to leave reviews promptly to maintain an active and positive reputation on the platform.

A Host’s Guide to Airbnb Ratings

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