Where to find the review option after your stay
You can leave a review on Airbnb within 14 days after your checkout date. The review window closes after that, and you will not be able to add one. Open the Airbnb app or website, go to your account menu, and select "Trips" or "Your trips". Find the listing you stayed at and look for a button or link that says "Leave a review" — it will appear only if you are within the 14-day window and have not already submitted a review for that stay.
If you do not see the review option, check whether you have already posted one. Once submitted, you cannot edit or delete your review, though Airbnb may remove it if it violates their content policy. The host can also leave a review of you during the same 14-day period, and both reviews are published at the same time.
Key Takeaways
- You have 14 days from checkout to leave a review, and the option disappears after that window closes.
- Your review becomes public only after the host submits their review of you, or after 14 days pass — whichever comes first.
- Airbnb removes reviews that contain contact information, threats, hate speech, or claims about illegal activity.
- Be specific about what worked and what did not — mention the cleanliness, communication, location accuracy, and whether the listing matched the photos.
What to include in a helpful review
Start by rating the overall experience on a scale of one to five stars. Then address the main categories Airbnb tracks: cleanliness, communication, accuracy of the listing, location, and value. Do not just write "great place" — explain what made it great or what fell short. If the kitchen was poorly stocked, say that. If the host responded to messages in minutes, mention it. If the photos showed a view that was not there, describe what you actually saw.
Mention specific details that future guests will care about: whether the bed was comfortable, if the wifi worked reliably, how noisy the neighbourhood was at night, whether parking was straightforward to find, and if the checkout process was smooth. If something was broken or missing, note it. If the host went out of their way to help — leaving snacks, providing local restaurant recommendations, or fixing a problem quickly — say so. Hosts read these reviews and use them to improve, and future guests use them to decide whether to book.
What you cannot say in a review
Airbnb will remove reviews that include the host's name, phone number, email address, or any other contact information. Do not ask future guests to contact you directly or leave your own contact details. Do not make accusations about illegal activity, even if you suspect it — report those concerns to Airbnb support instead through the Resolution Center or the Help section.
Avoid hate speech, slurs, or attacks on the host's identity or background. Do not threaten the host or make demands. Reviews that contain graphic sexual content or graphic descriptions of violence will be removed. If your complaint is about something the host said or did that you believe was discriminatory or abusive, report it to Airbnb support rather than airing it in the public review — Airbnb takes those reports seriously and investigates them separately.
How the review timeline works
Both you and the host have 14 days to leave reviews. Your review does not appear publicly until one of two things happens: either the host submits their review of you, or the 14-day window closes. This means if the host reviews you on day three, your review goes live when ready. If the host never reviews you, your review becomes public on day 15.
The host sees your review only after they have submitted theirs or after the 14 days are up. This system is designed to prevent either party from writing a retaliatory review based on what the other person said. Once both reviews are published, they stay on the listing permanently unless Airbnb removes them for violating policy.
Editing and removing reviews
You cannot edit a review after you submit it. If you made a typo, included information you should not have, or want to change what you said, you will need to contact Airbnb support and explain why. Airbnb may remove the review if it violates their policy, but they do not remove reviews straightforward because you changed your mind or want to soften criticism.
If a review was removed and you want to know why, check your email for a message from Airbnb explaining the violation. Common reasons include contact information, threats, hate speech, or off-topic content. If you believe your review was removed by mistake, you can appeal through the Help section, though Airbnb's decision is usually final.
How reviews affect your host rating and future bookings
Your reviews contribute to your overall guest rating on your profile. Hosts can see your average rating and read your past reviews before deciding whether to accept your booking request. If you have left many negative reviews or reviews with complaints, some hosts may decline to host you, even if your rating is technically acceptable. Conversely, if you leave thoughtful, fair reviews — even critical ones — hosts are more likely to trust you.
Airbnb also uses review patterns to identify guests who may be problematic. If you leave hostile reviews, make false accusations, or violate the review policy repeatedly, Airbnb may restrict your account. The goal is to keep the review system honest for everyone: hosts rely on reviews to improve their listings, and guests rely on reviews to make informed decisions.
Tips for writing a review that matters
Be honest but fair. A one-star review because the wifi was slow is less useful than a three-star review that explains the wifi was slow but everything else was clean and the host was responsive. Hosts cannot fix every problem — some listings are in older buildings, some neighbourhoods are naturally noisier — but they can fix cleanliness, communication, and accuracy issues.
Write for the next guest, not to punish the host. If you had a bad experience, explain what went wrong so the next person knows what to expect. If you had a good experience, be specific about why — "the host left fresh flowers and local chocolate" is more useful than "wonderful host". Avoid vague language like "okay" or "fine". The more detail you provide, the more valuable your review is to everyone reading it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I leave a review if I cancelled my booking before checking in?
No. You can only leave a review if you actually stayed at the listing. Cancelled bookings do not appear in your Trips section and do not have a review option. If you want to warn other guests about a host, contact Airbnb support instead of trying to leave a review.
What happens if the host leaves a bad review of me?
Your review of the host becomes public at the same time theirs becomes public. You cannot see their review before yours goes live, so you cannot write a retaliatory review. If you believe their review is false or violates Airbnb policy, you can report it through the Help section and Airbnb will investigate.
Can I ask the host to remove a bad review they left of me?
You can contact the host directly and ask, but they are not required to remove it. If the review violates Airbnb policy — contains threats, hate speech, or false accusations — you can report it to Airbnb support. Otherwise, the review will remain on your profile.
Does Airbnb read every review before it goes public?
No. Airbnb uses automated systems to flag reviews that may violate policy, but not every review is manually reviewed. If a review breaks the rules, it may be removed after it is published. You can report reviews that you believe violate policy, and Airbnb will investigate.
What if I forgot to leave a review and the 14 days have passed?
You cannot leave a review after 14 days. The window closes permanently. If you have important feedback for the host, you can contact them directly through the Airbnb messaging system, but it will not appear as a public review on the listing.