Where to find the review option after your stay
You can leave a review on Airbnb through the app or website, and the review section appears in your account once your checkout date has passed. Open the Airbnb app or go to airbnb.com, then tap or click the profile icon in the top right corner and select "Trips". Find the listing you stayed at and tap or click "Review your stay".
Airbnb gives you 14 days after checkout to submit your review. After that window closes, you can still see the listing and your booking history, but the option to write a new review disappears. If you missed the important date, you cannot add a review later, so plan to write it within two weeks of leaving.
Key Takeaways
- You have 14 days after checkout to leave a review; after that, the option is no longer available.
- The review section is found under your profile in "Trips" on either the app or website.
- Your review becomes visible to other guests and the host only after the host has also left you a review, or after 48 hours, whichever comes first.
- You can rate the cleanliness, communication, accuracy of listing, location, and value separately, then add written comments.
- Airbnb removes reviews that contain contact information, threats, or hateful language.
What to include in your written review
After you rate the five categories (cleanliness, communication, accuracy, location, and value), you have space to write a paragraph or two about your stay. Be specific about what worked and what did not. Instead of "The place was dirty," write "The kitchen had grease on the stovetop and the bathroom towels smelled musty." Instead of "Great host," write "The host responded to my question about parking within 30 minutes and left clear instructions on the keypad code."
Mention details that matter to future guests: whether the bed was comfortable, if the wifi was reliable, how noisy the neighborhood was at night, whether the listing matched the photos, and if the host was truthful about amenities. If something was broken or missing, say what it was and whether the host fixed it. Hosts read these reviews and use them to improve, and other guests use them to decide whether to book.
The star rating system and what each means
Airbnb uses a five-star scale for each category. A 5-star rating means the category was excellent and met or exceeded expectations. A 4-star rating means it was good but had minor issues. A 3-star rating means it was acceptable but had some problems. A 2-star or 1-star rating means there were significant problems.
You do not have to give the same rating in every category. You might rate cleanliness as 5 stars but communication as 3 stars if the host was slow to respond. The overall review score that appears on the listing is an average of all the ratings you and other guests have left. If you had a serious problem—such as a safety issue or the listing being nothing like the photos—a lower rating in the relevant category helps other guests make informed decisions.
When your review becomes visible to others
Your review does not appear on the listing when ready. Airbnb holds your review until the host has also written a review of you, or until 48 hours have passed since you submitted it, whichever happens first. This delay protects both guests and hosts from retaliatory reviews written in anger right after a conflict.
Once your review is published, it stays on the listing permanently unless Airbnb removes it for violating their review policy. The host can see your review and may respond to it publicly. Their response appears below your review and is visible to all future guests.
What you cannot say in a review
Airbnb removes reviews that contain the host's phone number, email address, or social media handles. Do not include your own contact information either. Reviews that contain threats, slurs, or hateful language are also removed. Airbnb also takes down reviews that make accusations of illegal activity without evidence, or that are clearly written as retaliation for a negative review the host left about you.
You can criticize the listing, the amenities, the host's communication, or your experience—that is the point of reviews. But keep the tone factual rather than personal. "The host was rude" is vague and may be removed; "The host did not respond to my message for three days" is specific and stays.
Editing or deleting your review
Once you submit a review, you can edit it for up to 48 hours. After that window closes, you cannot change it. If you made a typo or want to add a detail you forgot, go back to your Trips section, find the listing, and tap or click "Edit review" while the option is still available.
You cannot delete a review after it has been published. If you want to remove it, you would need to contact Airbnb Support and explain why. They rarely delete reviews unless they violate the policy, so assume your review will be permanent once you submit it.
How hosts respond to reviews
After your review is published, the host can write a response that appears directly below it. Hosts often use this space to thank guests for positive feedback, address complaints, or explain their side of a story. You cannot reply to the host's response, but you can see what they wrote. Some hosts use responses professionally to show other potential guests how they handle feedback; others may become defensive.
If a host's response contains false information or is abusive, you can report it to Airbnb. Otherwise, the host's response is part of the public record of that listing, and future guests will read both your review and the host's answer when deciding whether to book.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I leave a review if I cancelled my booking?
No. You can only leave a review if you actually completed the stay and checked out. Cancelled bookings do not appear in your Trips section and have no review option.
What happens if I leave a bad review?
Your review becomes part of the listing's public record and affects the host's overall rating. Hosts can see your name and review. Some hosts may decline to host you in the future if they see a pattern of low ratings, but Airbnb does not punish guests for honest negative reviews. Write truthfully about your experience.
Can the host delete my review?
No. Hosts cannot remove guest reviews. Only Airbnb can remove a review, and only if it violates their policy. The host can respond to your review publicly, but they cannot delete it.
What if I forgot to leave a review within 14 days?
The review option disappears after 14 days and cannot be recovered. You can still see the listing and your booking confirmation, but you will not be able to add a review. Plan to write it while the stay is fresh in your memory.
Do I have to leave a review?
No. Leaving a review is optional. However, reviews help other guests make decisions and help hosts improve their listings. If you had a notable experience—good or bad—a review is useful to the community.