Airbnb's new Guest Favorites badge is creating a buzz, marking top-rated properties as "most-loved" by guests, a distinction separate from the Superhost status which focuses on host performance. This badge, based on guest ratings, feedback, and reliability data, indicates high-quality stays, and only a fraction of listings earn both Superhost and Guest Favorite badges. 

The New Airbnb Guest Favorites Badge: What Hosts Need To Know

Airbnb's new Guest Favorites badge recognizes the "most-loved" properties, chosen based on guest ratings and reviews, highlighting top-quality experiences.

The badge is distinct from the Superhost status because it focuses on individual properties rather than host performance. Unique property types like treehouses and farm stays see a higher percentage of Guest Favorites.

Hosts that want to earn the badge should use Airbnb's updated listing tools to create clear and appealing listings, research competing Guest Favorite properties for insights, and consider adding upgraded amenities like smart locks.

When Airbnb releases new features, excitement, shock and sometimes skepticism follows. The Airbnb 2023 Winter Release exceeded expectations, turning the typical post-release shockwave into a full-blown earthquake thanks to one little badge: Guest Favorites. 

Visit Airbnb now and you’ll see those two little words splashed across the page. Select listings have “Guest Favorites” tagged on the property’s search results thumbnail, while a banner dedicated to the new concept tops the home page. 

While the post-update chatter has quieted, many hosts are still wondering: What is Guest Favorites on Airbnb? How does it work? What do I need to do to earn that coveted badge? 

Use Smart Rates™ to optimize your pricing strategy.

What Is the Guest Favorites Badge on Airbnb? 

Guest Favorites are a group of 2 million short-term rentals around the world that Airbnb has deemed the “most-loved” by guests. The Guest Favorites badge denotes which properties are among those precious few, and it includes a tag on the listing’s search results thumbnail and a wreathed “Guest favorite” icon on the listing page. 

According to Airbnb, “The best way to find a great place to stay is to read what past guests have said about their experience.” 

Guest Favorites is the company’s way of amplifying those experiences beyond individual reviews. 

What Is the Difference Between Guest Favorites and Superhost? 

Guest Favorites is for a specific property, while Superhost refers to the performance of the host themselves. 

While they do draw from similar criteria, a single property becomes a Guest Favorite by being loved by the majority of its guests, while a host becomes a Superhost when they demonstrate exceptional service across all of their listings. 

A host could earn a Superhost distinction without having any Guest Favorite properties. Similarly, a host with five properties could have only one property with a Guest Favorites badge.

Of the Airbnb listings in the U.S., just 33% of a host’s listings earn Superhost status. Of those Superhost listings, only 46% of them also earn Guest Favorite status, meaning just 15% of listings have a Superhost and Guest Favorite badge.  Hosts that don’t earn super host status receive a Guest Favorite badge 25% of the time. Over half of U.S. listings don’t have Guest Favorite or Superhost status.

In their guide to Guest Favorites, Airbnb explains that Guest Favorites works by compiling “ratings, reviews, and reliability data from over half a billion trips.” Its algorithm analyzes this data daily to determine which listings have the highest aggregate scores and, therefore, offer a superior guest experience. 

How this calculation happens is (and will probably remain) a mystery. Airbnb does say that they evaluate a minimum of five reviews, determining the listing’s overall quality and reliability using the following factors: 

Ratings for each category (cleanliness, accuracy, communication, location, and value)

Quality-related incidents reported to Airbnb

The Airbnb Guest Favorites badge recognizes properties that offer exceptional guest experiences, but there has so far been little explanation for how the calculation works. Many hosts have properties with dozens of five-star reviews but have yet to be named a Guest Favorite. Others have lower ratings and are still what Airbnb deems a most-loved property. 

While the badge is in its infancy, the best way to understand how it's currently impacting the Airbnb platform—and how it may continue to impact listings in the future—is by looking at the numbers. 

This is the Guest Favorites data we have so far: 

31% of listings in the U.S. are Guest Favorites

54% of listings with Guest Favorites status belong to hosts with two to five listings

The average star rating for Guest Favorites is 4.9 stars. 

Some cities have a higher percentage of Guest Favorites than others. For example, 45% of listings in Asheville, North Carolina, are Guest Favorites, while only 15% of listings in Honolulu are Guest Favorites.

Unique Property Types have the highest percentage of listings as guest favorites, including 53% of treehouses and 51% of barns, farm stays and shipping containers.  Not all unique property types are attractive to guests, though, with only 14% of boats and camper/RVs garnering guest favorite status.

How to Get a Guest Favorite Badge on Airbnb

Guest Favorites has become a hot-button issue for many hosts. Those who already have the badge feel pressure to keep it, and those who have yet to earn it want to do everything they can to earn that distinction.

While there is no silver bullet to getting a Guest Favorite badge on Airbnb, there are some essential ways to improve your guest experience and, as a result, increase your chances of snagging that elusive badge. 

The badge isn’t just for looks, either. So far, guests are more likely to book Guest Favorite properties and are willing to pay more for them. Want one for your property? Here’s where to start: 

Extraordinary experiences start with clear expectations. If, for example, guests know there are cows in the pasture next door, they’re less likely to leave a negative review about moo-ing in the morning. 

Though it received less air time, Airbnb’s 2023 winter release also updated the listings tab, giving hosts tools to more easily add amenities and photos. Use the new features to create a clear, inspiring listing that helps guests understand what they can expect from each of your properties. 

Guest Favorites can also be a helpful research tool. You, like guests, can see which properties are Guest Favorites in each market. Look at the properties that have achieved this status on Airbnb and consider other features and characteristics that competing properties are offering. 

What are guests saying about the property? What amenities does the host offer that you don’t? Do they outrank you in any categories? Use that intel to improve your own experience, whether that’s the listing, the property, or your hosting skills. 

Amenities are an ever-important part of any listing. The amenities guests want can vary depending on the price tier and location, but Airbnb’s feature releases can also shape what guests expect. 

This winter, Airbnb also released a smart lock integration, allowing hosts to link locks to their Airbnb accounts. Hosts can generate new codes and automatically send them to guests to streamline the check-in experience. This isn’t a requirement for hosts, but it’s something to consider. 40% of Airbnb listings already use gadgets like smart locks, and this integration could cause the hosts that don’t to miss out on creating a Guest Favorites-worthy experience.

Hosts can also increase the chances that their listing will become a Guest Favorite by going the extra mile. Is your guest traveling with a baby? Provide a high chair. Are they bringing two dogs, rather than the one you typically plan for? Drop off an extra water bowl. Did they express interest in a particular activity or attraction? Leave a brochure or guide on the kitchen table. 

While “going above and beyond” means something different to every host, the idea is to set a clear expectation in your listing, and then offer an experience that exceeds it.

If the Guest Favorites badge has taught us anything, it’s that being a host isn’t something to take lightly. Whether you manage your Airbnb virtually or host a rental down the block, you must prioritize guest experience—starting with the hosting tools that can help you find out what experience your guests are after. 

Stop guessing about what a Guest Favorites-worthy experience is, and start using data to become the thoughtful, effective host you’ve always wanted to be—badge or no badge. 

AirDNA’s vacation rental pricing tool uses data-driven recommendations to propose the best daily rates.

Airbnb's new Guest Favorites badge uses guest ratings, feedback, and reliability data to distinguish “most-loved,” high-quality stays.

Key Takeaways
Airbnb's new Guest Favorites badge recognizes the "most-loved" properties, chosen based on guest ratings and reviews, highlighting top-quality experiences.
The badge is distinct from the Superhost status because it focuses on individual properties rather than host performance. Unique property types like treehouses and farm stays see a higher percentage of Guest Favorites.
Hosts that want to earn the badge should use Airbnb's updated listing tools to create clear and appealing listings, research competing Guest Favorite properties for insights, and consider adding upgraded amenities like smart locks.

When Airbnb releases new features, excitement, shock and sometimes skepticism follows. The Airbnb 2023 Winter Release exceeded expectations, turning the typical post-release shockwave into a full-blown earthquake thanks to one little badge: Guest Favorites. 

Visit Airbnb now and you’ll see those two little words splashed across the page. Select listings have “Guest Favorites” tagged on the property’s search results thumbnail, while a banner dedicated to the new concept tops the home page. 

While the post-update chatter has quieted, many hosts are still wondering: What is Guest Favorites on Airbnb? How does it work? What do I need to do to earn that coveted badge? 

Try Our Vacation Rental Pricing Tool

Use Smart Rates™ to optimize your pricing strategy.

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What Is the Guest Favorites Badge on Airbnb? 

Guest Favorites are a group of 2 million short-term rentals around the world that Airbnb has deemed the “most-loved” by guests. The Guest Favorites badge denotes which properties are among those precious few, and it includes a tag on the listing’s search results thumbnail and a wreathed “Guest favorite” icon on the listing page. 

According to Airbnb, “The best way to find a great place to stay is to read what past guests have said about their experience.” 

Guest Favorites is the company’s way of amplifying those experiences beyond individual reviews. 

Boost Your Rental Revenue

What Is the Difference Between Guest Favorites and Superhost? 

Guest Favorites is for a specific property, while Superhost refers to the performance of the host themselves. 

While they do draw from similar criteria, a single property becomes a Guest Favorite by being loved by the majority of its guests, while a host becomes a Superhost when they demonstrate exceptional service across all of their listings. 

A host could earn a Superhost distinction without having any Guest Favorite properties. Similarly, a host with five properties could have only one property with a Guest Favorites badge.

Of the Airbnb listings in the U.S., just 33% of a host’s listings earn Superhost status. Of those Superhost listings, only 46% of them also earn Guest Favorite status, meaning just 15% of listings have a Superhost and Guest Favorite badge.  Hosts that don’t earn super host status receive a Guest Favorite badge 25% of the time. Over half of U.S. listings don’t have Guest Favorite or Superhost status.

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How Guest Favorites Works

In their guide to Guest Favorites, Airbnb explains that Guest Favorites works by compiling “ratings, reviews, and reliability data from over half a billion trips.” Its algorithm analyzes this data daily to determine which listings have the highest aggregate scores and, therefore, offer a superior guest experience. 

How this calculation happens is (and will probably remain) a mystery. Airbnb does say that they evaluate a minimum of five reviews, determining the listing’s overall quality and reliability using the following factors: 

Star ratings
Guest feedback in reviews
Ratings for each category (cleanliness, accuracy, communication, location, and value)
Host cancellation rates
Quality-related incidents reported to Airbnb
Guest Favorites By the Numbers

The Airbnb Guest Favorites badge recognizes properties that offer exceptional guest experiences, but there has so far been little explanation for how the calculation works. Many hosts have properties with dozens of five-star reviews but have yet to be named a Guest Favorite. Others have lower ratings and are still what Airbnb deems a most-loved property. 

While the badge is in its infancy, the best way to understand how it's currently impacting the Airbnb platform—and how it may continue to impact listings in the future—is by looking at the numbers. 

This is the Guest Favorites data we have so far: 

31% of listings in the U.S. are Guest Favorites
54% of listings with Guest Favorites status belong to hosts with two to five listings
The average star rating for Guest Favorites is 4.9 stars. 
Some cities have a higher percentage of Guest Favorites than others. For example, 45% of listings in Asheville, North Carolina, are Guest Favorites, while only 15% of listings in Honolulu are Guest Favorites.

Unique Property Types have the highest percentage of listings as guest favorites, including 53% of treehouses and 51% of barns, farm stays and shipping containers.  Not all unique property types are attractive to guests, though, with only 14% of boats and camper/RVs garnering guest favorite status.

Automate your pricing

How to Get a Guest Favorite Badge on Airbnb

Guest Favorites has become a hot-button issue for many hosts. Those who already have the badge feel pressure to keep it, and those who have yet to earn it want to do everything they can to earn that distinction.

While there is no silver bullet to getting a Guest Favorite badge on Airbnb, there are some essential ways to improve your guest experience and, as a result, increase your chances of snagging that elusive badge. 

The badge isn’t just for looks, either. So far, guests are more likely to book Guest Favorite properties and are willing to pay more for them. Want one for your property? Here’s where to start: 

1. Optimize Your Listing

Extraordinary experiences start with clear expectations. If, for example, guests know there are cows in the pasture next door, they’re less likely to leave a negative review about moo-ing in the morning. 

Though it received less air time, Airbnb’s 2023 winter release also updated the listings tab, giving hosts tools to more easily add amenities and photos. Use the new features to create a clear, inspiring listing that helps guests understand what they can expect from each of your properties. 

2. Check Out the Competition

Guest Favorites can also be a helpful research tool. You, like guests, can see which properties are Guest Favorites in each market. Look at the properties that have achieved this status on Airbnb and consider other features and characteristics that competing properties are offering. 

What are guests saying about the property? What amenities does the host offer that you don’t? Do they outrank you in any categories? Use that intel to improve your own experience, whether that’s the listing, the property, or your hosting skills. 

3. Upgrade Your Amenities

Amenities are an ever-important part of any listing. The amenities guests want can vary depending on the price tier and location, but Airbnb’s feature releases can also shape what guests expect. 

This winter, Airbnb also released a smart lock integration, allowing hosts to link locks to their Airbnb accounts. Hosts can generate new codes and automatically send them to guests to streamline the check-in experience. This isn’t a requirement for hosts, but it’s something to consider. 40% of Airbnb listings already use gadgets like smart locks, and this integration could cause the hosts that don’t to miss out on creating a Guest Favorites-worthy experience.

4. Go Above and Beyond

Hosts can also increase the chances that their listing will become a Guest Favorite by going the extra mile. Is your guest traveling with a baby? Provide a high chair. Are they bringing two dogs, rather than the one you typically plan for? Drop off an extra water bowl. Did they express interest in a particular activity or attraction? Leave a brochure or guide on the kitchen table. 

While “going above and beyond” means something different to every host, the idea is to set a clear expectation in your listing, and then offer an experience that exceeds it.

Learn about Dynamic Pricing

Be a Better Short-Term Rental Host

If the Guest Favorites badge has taught us anything, it’s that being a host isn’t something to take lightly. Whether you manage your Airbnb virtually or host a rental down the block, you must prioritize guest experience—starting with the hosting tools that can help you find out what experience your guests are after. 

Stop guessing about what a Guest Favorites-worthy experience is, and start using data to become the thoughtful, effective host you’ve always wanted to be—badge or no badge. 

The New Airbnb Guest Favorites Badge: What Hosts Need To Know

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