Yes, you can change your review on Airbnb, but only within a limited window
You can edit or delete a review you posted on Airbnb, but only within 48 hours of posting it. After that window closes, your review becomes permanent and you cannot change it yourself. If you need to modify a review after 48 hours have passed, your only option is to contact Airbnb support and explain why the change matters — though they rarely overturn the important date.
The 48-hour rule applies whether you want to fix a typo, change your rating, or remove the review entirely. Airbnb built in this window to let hosts and guests correct honest mistakes before a review becomes part of the permanent record that affects booking decisions and host ratings.
Key Takeaways
- You have exactly 48 hours from the time you post your review to edit or delete it through the Airbnb app or website.
- After 48 hours pass, you cannot change your review yourself, and Airbnb support rarely makes exceptions to this important date.
- To edit a review, open it from your profile, tap or click the pencil icon, make your changes, and save — the updated version replaces the original when ready.
- Deleting a review removes it from the listing page and the host's profile, but Airbnb may keep a record of it internally.
How to edit your review within 48 hours
Open the Airbnb app or go to airbnb.com and sign into your account. Tap the profile icon in the top right corner, then select "Reviews" from the menu. Find the review you want to change — it will show the date you posted it. Tap or click the pencil icon next to the review text.
A text box will open with your original review. Edit the text, change your star rating if you want, and then tap or click "Save" at the bottom. Your updated review replaces the old one when ready, and the host and other guests will see the new version. The timestamp on the review does not change — it still shows the original posting date, not the edit date.
How to delete your review within 48 hours
Follow the same steps to find your review: profile icon, "Reviews," then locate the review you posted. Instead of tapping the pencil icon, look for a three-dot menu icon or trash icon next to the review. Tap or click it and select "Delete review" from the options that appear.
Airbnb will ask you to confirm the deletion. Once you confirm, the review disappears from the listing page and from the host's profile. The host will not see a notification that you deleted it — the review straightforward vanishes from their view. However, Airbnb may retain a record of deleted reviews in their system for internal purposes.
What happens if 48 hours have already passed
If you posted your review more than 48 hours ago, the edit and delete options will no longer appear in your account. The pencil icon and menu options disappear after the important date, and you cannot change the review through the normal process.
Your only path forward is to contact Airbnb support through the app or website. Go to the Help Center, select "Contact Us," and explain that you need to modify or remove a review that is older than 48 hours. Be specific about why the change matters — for example, if you made a factual error, if circumstances have changed, or if you posted while upset and now regret the tone. Airbnb support can see your request, but they do not routinely override the 48-hour important date. Approval is rare and depends on the reason you provide.
Why Airbnb has a time limit on review changes
The 48-hour window exists to balance two competing needs. Guests need time to correct honest mistakes — a typo, a wrong star rating clicked by accident, or a review posted in anger that they now regret. Hosts, on the other hand, need to know that reviews will eventually become stable and permanent, so they can trust the feedback on their listing and respond to it appropriately.
Without a important date, hosts would face constant uncertainty about whether a review might disappear or change without warning. With a very short important date, guests would have no time to reconsider. Airbnb settled on 48 hours as a middle ground — long enough for most people to notice a mistake and fix it, but short enough that hosts can rely on the review as final.
Common mistakes to avoid when editing reviews
Do not wait until the last hours of the 48-hour window to make changes. If you are editing on a mobile app, make sure you tap "Save" and see a confirmation message before you close the app — connection problems can sometimes prevent saves from going through. If you are unsure whether your edit went through, close the app completely and reopen it to check whether your new text appears.
Remember that editing a review does not notify the host that you made a change. If you are upgrading a negative review to a positive one, or if you are adding important information the host should know, consider sending them a message separately to let them know you have updated your feedback. This is especially useful if the host has already responded to your original review.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the host see that I edited my review?
No, the host cannot see that you made an edit. They only see the current version of your review. If you changed your rating from one star to five stars, the host will see the five-star version, but they will not receive a notification that you changed it or know that the original review was different.
If I delete my review, can the host still see it?
No. Once you delete a review, it disappears from the listing page and from the host's profile. The host cannot see it anymore. Airbnb may keep internal records of deleted reviews, but the host has no way to view it.
What if I posted a review by accident and want to remove it when ready?
You can delete it right away through the same process — go to your profile, find the review, and tap the delete option. Since you are within the 48-hour window, the deletion will go through when ready. There is no waiting period or approval process for deletions made within 48 hours.
Can I change my review more than once within 48 hours?
Yes. You can edit your review as many times as you want within the 48-hour window. Each time you save, the new version replaces the previous one. Only the final version will be visible to the host and other guests after 48 hours pass.
What if Airbnb support denies my request to change an old review?
If support declines to modify or delete your review after the 48-hour important date, you have no other recourse within Airbnb's system. You cannot appeal the decision or request a second review. Your only option would be to contact support again with new information, but they are unlikely to reverse a previous decision.