Airbnb's Winter Release: Guest Favorite Badge vs. Superhost Status

In the ever-evolving world of Airbnb hosting, staying ahead of the curve is crucial for success. Airbnb's Winter 2023 Release brings a game-changer: the Guest Favorite badge, a new level of recognition that has hosts rethinking their strategies. This coveted badge, in direct competition with the esteemed Superhost status (click here to find out more), is reshaping the landscape for hosts striving to provide the best possible guest experience.

Understanding the Guest Favorite Badge:

The Guest Favorite badge is awarded at the listing level, focusing on high guest ratings (above 4.9 stars), a minimum of five positive reviews, and a strong reliability record. Unlike the Superhost status, which evaluates the host's overall performance across all listings, Guest Favorite operates on a per-listing basis. The frequency of updates is also noteworthy, with Guest Favorite being refreshed daily to reflect the latest guest satisfaction.

The difference between a Superhost and a Guest Favorite:

What’s important to note is that achieving 4.9 rating for a property is extremely hard, and may mean that to achieve it quite some hosts will try to “strike a deal” with the guests in exchange for a 5-star review. Meaning: cash compensation for even smallest issue, going above and beyond just to make the guest happy.

We’re expecting the initial Guest Favorite badge to push hosts to try extra hard, so the first winter months with the badge available for grabs might be quite a cutthroat time.

But getting the badge is one thing - question is, how long can you keep it for? Keeping 4.9 star rating is extremely hard - ask any host with 1+ year experience.

New Properties and the Guest Favorite Challenge:

The introduction of Guest Favorites intensifies competition, particularly for owners of new properties. These hosts face the challenge of accumulating positive guest reviews quickly to gain visibility and trust. Competitive pricing emerges as a key strategy to attract guests and secure the coveted Guest Favorites badge.

Guest Favorites and Pricing Strategy:

Airbnb's data reveals an intriguing statistic – "Over 1 in every 3 Guest Favorites have an average daily rate of under $100 USD." While not explicitly a qualifying metric, this suggests that competitive pricing could play a role in attaining the Guest Favorites badge, aligning with Airbnb's strategic push to position itself as an affordable choice for travelers.

Superhost vs. Guest Favorites:

To become a Superhost, hosts must meet specific criteria, including a 4.8+ overall rating, a minimum number of stays or nights, a low cancellation rate, and a high response rate. The criteria for Guest Favorites overlap in some aspects but serve distinct purposes. Superhosts showcase outstanding hospitality across all listings, while Guest Favorites highlight top-rated individual listings.

Guest Favorites for Professional Property Managers:

For professional property managers (PMs), the Guest Favorite badge offers a unique opportunity. Unlike the Superhost status that spans across the entire profile, Guest Favorite operates on a listing-specific basis. This allows PMs to highlight and enhance the appeal of specific listings, potentially influencing the perceived value of the Superhost badge.

Navigating the Changing Landscape:

With the visibility of Guest Favorites already surpassing that of Superhost in listing pages, hosts are faced with shifting dynamics. The Winter 2023 Release emphasizes the importance of reliability, encouraging hosts to strive for excellence to unlock the coveted Guest Favorite badge for their listings. As a host, adapting to these changes not only ensures competitiveness but also enhances the overall guest experience.

In conclusion, the Guest Favorite badge is not just a new feature; it's a paradigm shift in the Airbnb hosting experience. Hosts, whether small or large, now find themselves on a level playing field, emphasizing the importance of guest satisfaction and reliability. As the landscape evolves, hosts who embrace these changes will undoubtedly stand out in the competitive world of Airbnb hosting.

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KeyNest offers you a convenient service for storing and exchanging your property keys. You can drop off a key at any of the 5,000+ locations in our network, so there’s one such Point located next to your property already.

Guests, cleaners or contractors can then collect the key securely from a KeyNest Point, which is usually open 24/7. You'll be notified each time the key is picked up or returned, and you can even customize check-in and check-out times.

KeyNest has an ever-expanding global network of locations located just minutes from your property. To find out more, visit our website.