Airbnb Reviews: Who Reviews First and What to Keep in Mind

Navigating the Airbnb review system can sometimes be a bit confusing for both hosts and guests. Reviews are crucial on Airbnb—they help build reputations, ensure transparency, and often influence booking decisions.

Here, we’ll explore who should review first, the timing involved, and the potential impact of these reviews on both hosts and guests.

An image of someone holding a phone with an Airbnb logo on it.

It Doesn’t Matter Who Reviews First on Airbnb

Contrary to popular belief, there’s no written rule or strategic advantage concerning who—host or guest—should submit their review first.

Both parties have a 14-day window after the checkout date to submit their reviews. If you’re worried about possible negative feedback affecting your own review, fear not; Airbnb has safeguards for that.

14-Day Review Window and Visibility

Once the guest checks out, a 14-day review window commences, during which both the host and the guest can submit their reviews.

However, neither the guest nor the host can see the other’s review until both have submitted their own, or the 14-day window has elapsed.

If both parties complete their reviews within this period, they will become visible simultaneously. If only one party writes a review, it will be published once the 14-day window has closed, and it cannot be changed thereafter.

Blind Review System

One unique aspect of Airbnb’s review system is its ‘blind’ review process. You can’t see the other person’s review until you’ve submitted your own.

This design aims to encourage honest and unbiased reviews from both parties. If you’re a host worried that a negative review from a guest might influence your own, this system ensures that you won’t see their review until you’ve submitted yours, and vice versa.

Impact of Reviews on Airbnb

For Hosts

Maintaining a high rating is crucial for hosts. Too many reviews under 5 stars can significantly hurt a host’s visibility on Airbnb, and may even make prospective guests hesitant to book your property.

Ratings affect your overall standing and can even lead to removal from the platform in extreme cases.

For Guests

While guests may not feel the impact of reviews as acutely as hosts do, it’s worth noting that consistently poor reviews could affect your future bookings.

Hosts are less likely to approve guests who have a history of negative reviews, as it suggests potential problems like late check-outs, broken house rules, or poor communication.

My Go-To for Guest Reviews

When reviewing guests, my go-to format is simple, straightforward, and positive:

“{Guest’s Name} and guests were great. Would love to host again.”

This short and sweet template covers all the essentials—it compliments the guest and indicates that you would be happy to host them again, thus encouraging future bookings.

Sample Review for Airbnb Host

If you’re a guest looking to review a host but aren’t sure how to frame your experience, here’s a simple template:

“We had a wonderful stay at [Host’s Name]’s place. The location was convenient, and the property was exactly as described—clean, comfortable, and well-equipped. [Host’s Name] was responsive and went out of their way to make sure we had a great experience. Would highly recommend and would love to stay here again!”

This template is positive, detailed, and provides prospective future guests with useful information.

Conclusion

Understanding Airbnb’s review system is crucial for both hosts and guests alike. Given the 14-day window and the blind review system, honesty and promptness are encouraged. Hosts and guests should be mindful of the weight their reviews carry, considering they can significantly impact future interactions on the platform.

So whether you’re a host or a guest, remember that reviews are more than just formalities—they’re community-driven insights that contribute to a more transparent and reliable Airbnb experience for everyone involved.

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