How to submit a rating on Airbnb
You can leave a rating and written review on Airbnb within 48 hours after your checkout date. Airbnb sends you a notification asking you to rate your host and the listing — you'll see a link in your confirmation email or in the Airbnb app under "Your trips". Click that link to open the rating screen. You do not have to write a full review; a star rating alone is enough to submit.
The rating window stays open for 14 days after checkout. After 14 days, you can no longer add or change your rating, though you can still read reviews left by other guests. If you miss the important date, there is no way to go back and rate that stay.
Key Takeaways
- You have 48 hours after checkout to start your rating, and 14 days total to submit it before the window closes permanently.
- Ratings are separate from written reviews — you can submit stars alone without writing any text.
- Your host can see your rating and review once you submit them, and they can respond to your written review.
- Airbnb removes reviews that contain contact information, threats, or claims unrelated to your actual stay at that listing.
- Both you and your host rate each other; your host's rating of you affects whether future hosts will accept your booking requests.
The star rating system and what each level means
Airbnb uses a five-star scale. One star means the stay was poor and fell well short of what was promised. Two stars means it had significant problems. Three stars means it was acceptable but had some issues. Four stars means it was good with only minor problems. Five stars means it met or exceeded your expectations.
You rate the listing itself (the cleanliness, accuracy of photos, condition of the space) and the host separately (their communication, how they handled problems, whether they followed house rules). These are two different ratings. A host might be responsive and kind but the listing might be dirty; you would rate them differently on each.
Writing a review that Airbnb will keep
Your written review should describe what you actually experienced during your stay. Mention specific things: the bed was comfortable, the kitchen was well-stocked, the neighborhood was loud at night, the shower had low water pressure. Airbnb removes reviews that include contact information (phone numbers, email addresses, social media handles), threats, or claims about things that happened outside your stay at that listing.
Keep your review focused on the listing and host. Airbnb also removes reviews that attack the guest who stayed before you, make political statements, or include links. Your review should be honest but factual — describe what you saw and experienced, not insults or assumptions about the host's character.
Reviews are public and appear on the listing page for other guests to read. Your host can respond to your review, and their response is also public. If your host's response contains false information about what happened, you cannot edit your review after 48 hours, but you can contact Airbnb support to report the host's response.
What happens after you submit your rating
Once you submit your rating and review, your host can see them when ready. Your host has the option to respond to your written review within 48 hours. Their response stays on the listing page next to your review, so other guests will see both your feedback and their reply.
Your rating counts toward the host's overall average score, which appears on their profile. A single five-star review raises their average slightly; a single one-star review lowers it. Hosts with consistently high ratings (usually 4.8 stars or above) are more likely to get bookings. Your rating also affects your own guest profile — hosts can see your average rating from past stays, and some hosts decline bookings from guests with low ratings.
Changing or removing your rating before the important date
You can edit your rating and review at any time within the 14-day window after checkout. Open the notification Airbnb sent you, or go to "Your trips" in the app, find the listing, and select "Rate your stay". You can change your stars, rewrite your review text, or delete your review entirely and submit a new one.
Once the 14-day important date passes, you cannot change your rating. If you realize you made a mistake or want to add information, contact Airbnb support. They can sometimes remove or edit a review if there is a clear error, but this is not may provide.
How Airbnb uses ratings to rank listings and hosts
Airbnb's search results prioritize listings with higher average ratings. A listing with a 4.9-star average will appear higher in search results than a similar listing with a 4.5-star average, all else equal. This means your rating directly affects how many future guests see and book that listing.
Hosts also appear in "Superhost" status when they maintain a 4.8-star average or higher, respond to messages within 24 hours, and have a low cancellation rate. Superhosts get a badge on their profile and may appear higher in search results. Your rating contributes to whether a host keeps or loses this status.
Ratings you receive as a guest
Your host rates you after you leave, using the same five-star scale. They rate your cleanliness (did you leave the space in good condition), communication (did you respond to messages), and respect for house rules. Your average guest rating appears on your profile when you make future booking requests.
Some hosts decline bookings from guests with ratings below 4.5 or 4.6 stars. If you have a low rating, you may find fewer hosts willing to accept your reservation. You cannot see individual reviews that hosts have left about you, only your overall average score. If a host's review of you contains false information or violates Airbnb's policies, you can report it to Airbnb support.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I forget to rate my stay before the 14-day important date?
Once 14 days pass after checkout, the rating window closes and you cannot submit a rating for that stay. There is no way to reopen it. Set a reminder on your phone for a few days after checkout if you think you might forget.
Can I rate a stay if the host canceled my reservation?
No. You can only rate stays that you actually completed. If the host canceled before you arrived or you canceled the booking, neither of you can rate each other.
What should I do if my host left a false or unfair rating of me?
Report the review to Airbnb support through the app or website. Explain what is inaccurate and provide details about your stay. Airbnb reviews reports but does not always remove reviews unless they violate specific policies like containing threats or contact information.
Can I see my host's response to my review before other guests see it?
No. Once your host submits their response, it appears on the listing page when ready and is visible to all guests. You cannot prevent them from responding or ask them to remove their response.
Does a three-star rating hurt a host's business?
A three-star rating lowers the host's average and may affect their search ranking, but it does not automatically disqualify them from bookings. However, listings with consistently lower ratings appear lower in search results, which means fewer guests see them.