Where to find the review option and when you can write one
You can leave a review on Airbnb through the Trips section of your account, which appears after your checkout date has passed. Airbnb gives you 14 days from checkout to write and submit your review. After 14 days, the review option closes and you cannot add one later.
The review window is the same whether you're on the Airbnb website, the mobile app, or using a web browser on your phone. The location of the review button is slightly different depending on which platform you use, but the process itself is identical.
Key Takeaways
- You have exactly 14 days after checkout to leave a review; after that window closes, you cannot write one.
- Reviews are submitted through the Trips section of your account, accessible from any device where you're logged in.
- Your review becomes visible to other users only after the host has also left a review for you, or after 48 hours pass — whichever comes first.
- You can rate the cleanliness, communication, accuracy, location, and value of your stay on a scale of 1 to 5 stars.
- Airbnb removes reviews that contain contact information, threats, or content unrelated to your actual stay at that property.
Steps to write and submit your review on the website
Log into your Airbnb account and click the profile icon in the top right corner. Select "Trips" from the dropdown menu. Find the listing where you stayed and click "Leave a review" — this button only appears after your checkout date has passed.
A form will open with five rating categories: Cleanliness, Communication, Accuracy, Location, and Value. Click the star rating for each category (1 star is lowest, 5 stars is highest). Then scroll down to the text box labeled "Share your experience" and write your written review. You can write as much or as little as you want, though most reviews are between one and three sentences.
After you've filled in the ratings and written your text, click "Submit review" at the bottom of the form. Your review is now submitted, but it will not appear publicly until the host has also left a review for you, or until 48 hours have passed — whichever happens first.
How to leave a review using the Airbnb mobile app
Open the Airbnb app and tap the profile icon at the bottom right of your screen. Tap "Trips" to see your past and upcoming reservations. Find the stay you want to review and tap "Leave a review."
The rating and text entry process is the same as on the website: select your star ratings for each category, write your experience in the text box, and tap "Submit review." The review will be held until the host reviews you or 48 hours pass.
What to include in your written review
Your written review should describe your actual experience at the property. Mention specific things: whether the listing matched the photos, how clean the space was, whether the host responded quickly to messages, and whether the neighborhood felt safe and convenient. If something was broken or missing, say what it was. If the host went above and beyond, mention that too.
Keep your tone factual and fair. A review that says "The kitchen was dirty and the bed was uncomfortable" is more useful to other guests than "This place was terrible." Be specific about what you experienced, not what you think the property should be.
Avoid including your phone number, email address, or any contact information in your review. Do not include the host's personal information or details about other guests. Airbnb will remove reviews that contain these things, and repeated violations can result in your review privileges being restricted.
The difference between public and private reviews
All reviews on Airbnb are public once they are posted. There is no option to leave a private review that only the host can see. Your review will appear on the listing's page where other potential guests can read it.
However, your review does not appear when ready. It stays hidden until either the host has left a review for you, or 48 hours have passed since you submitted it. This delay exists so that hosts and guests cannot see each other's reviews before writing their own, which keeps reviews more honest.
What happens if you want to change or delete your review
You can edit your review at any time after you submit it. Go back to the Trips section, find the listing, and click or tap "View your review." Click the pencil icon to edit the text or star ratings. Make your changes and click "Save" to update your review.
You can also delete your review entirely by clicking the three-dot menu icon next to "View your review" and selecting "Delete review." Once deleted, your review is removed from the listing page and cannot be recovered. If you delete a review and then want to leave a new one, you have until 14 days after checkout to do so.
Why your review might not appear or might be removed
Airbnb removes reviews that violate its review policy. This includes reviews that contain threats, hate speech, or content unrelated to your stay. Reviews that include contact information, links, or attempts to take the conversation off the platform are also removed. If your review was removed, Airbnb will send you a notification explaining why.
If you submitted a review but it is not showing up on the listing page, it may still be in the waiting period. Remember that your review stays hidden until the host reviews you or 48 hours pass. If more than 48 hours have passed and you still do not see your review, check your email for a notification from Airbnb, or contact Airbnb support through the Help Center in your account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I leave a review if I cancelled my reservation?
No. You can only leave a review if you actually completed your stay and checked out. Cancelled reservations do not appear in your Trips section with a review option.
What if the host leaves a bad review for me first?
You can still leave your own honest review. The host's review of you does not change your ability to review them. Your review will appear on the listing page regardless of what the host wrote about you.
Can I leave a review before I check out?
No. The review button does not appear until after your checkout date has passed. Airbnb requires this delay so you have time to reflect on your full experience.
How long does it take for my review to show up after I submit it?
Your review appears publicly either when the host leaves a review for you, or after 48 hours have passed — whichever comes first. If the host never reviews you, your review will appear after 48 hours.
Can I see reviews before I book a property?
Yes. All published reviews appear on the listing page under the photos and description. You can read reviews from past guests before you make your reservation decision.