You can request removal of a review if it violates Airbnb's policies, but you cannot delete reviews straightforward because you dislike them
Airbnb does not give hosts or guests a button to delete reviews after they are posted. Once a review goes live, it stays on the listing unless Airbnb's support team removes it for a specific reason — usually because the review breaks Airbnb's content policies. You can request removal by reporting the review to Airbnb, but the company will only take it down if it meets their removal criteria.
If you are the person who left the review and want it gone, you have a narrow window: you can delete your own review within 48 hours of posting it. After that, only Airbnb can remove it, and only if it violates their rules. If you are the host being reviewed, you cannot delete the review yourself — you can only ask Airbnb to look at it and decide whether it should come down.
Key Takeaways
- Guests can delete their own reviews within 48 hours of posting; hosts cannot delete reviews at all.
- Airbnb will remove a review only if it violates their content policies — such as containing hate speech, threats, personal information, or sexual content.
- To request removal, report the review through the Airbnb app or website by selecting the review and choosing "Report this review".
- Disagreeing with a review or receiving a low rating is not grounds for removal; Airbnb treats negative reviews as legitimate feedback.
- Response time for removal requests varies, but Airbnb typically reviews reports within a few days to a week.
How to delete your own review within 48 hours
If you left a review as a guest and want to remove it, you have 48 hours from the time you posted it. Open the Airbnb app or website, go to your account, and find the review under your profile or booking history. Look for an option to edit or delete the review — this appears as a menu (three dots) or a trash icon next to the review text. Select delete, and the review will be removed when ready.
After 48 hours, this option disappears. You cannot edit a review to change its rating or rewrite the text after the window closes. If you posted a review more than 48 hours ago and now regret it, your only option is to contact Airbnb support and explain why you believe the review should be removed — but they will only take action if the review violates their policies, not because you changed your mind.
What Airbnb considers grounds for removal
Airbnb's content policies spell out which reviews can be removed. A review will be taken down if it contains hate speech or discrimination based on race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or other protected characteristics. Reviews that include threats, harassment, or abusive language directed at a person are also removable. Sexual content, graphic descriptions, or content that sexualizes people will be removed.
Reviews that share personal information — such as a guest's or host's full name, address, phone number, email, or social media handles — can be removed because they create a privacy risk. Reviews that appear to be spam, fake, or posted by someone with no legitimate connection to the booking are also grounds for removal. If a review contains external links or promotional content unrelated to the stay, Airbnb may remove it.
A review that is straightforward negative, unfair, or based on a misunderstanding does not meet these criteria. Airbnb does not remove reviews because a host or guest disagrees with the feedback or thinks it is inaccurate. The company treats reviews as guest feedback, even when they are harsh or one-sided.
How to report a review for removal
To report a review, open the listing or your booking details in the Airbnb app or website. Find the review you want to report and look for a menu icon (usually three dots or a flag symbol). Select "Report this review" or "Report" from the menu. Airbnb will ask you to choose a reason — select the category that best matches why you believe the review violates their policies.
Be specific in your explanation. If the review contains hate speech, quote the exact phrase. If it includes personal information, point out which details should not be there. If it is spam or fake, explain why you believe the person did not stay at the property. The more detail you provide, the easier it is for Airbnb's team to make a decision.
Submit the report and wait for Airbnb to respond. You will receive an email update once they have reviewed your report. This can take anywhere from a few days to a week or longer, depending on how busy Airbnb's support team is. If Airbnb agrees the review violates their policies, it will be removed and you will be notified. If they decide it does not meet removal criteria, they will tell you that too.
What to do if your removal request is denied
If Airbnb reviews your report and decides the review does not violate their policies, you have limited options. You cannot appeal the decision or request a second review in most cases. However, you can contact Airbnb support directly through the app or website and explain your situation in more detail — sometimes a support agent will take another look if you provide additional context or evidence.
As a host, you can also post a public response to the review. This appears directly below the review and lets you address the guest's feedback, correct inaccuracies, or explain your side of the story. A thoughtful, professional response often matters more to future guests than the negative review itself. Many guests read both the review and the host's response before making a decision.
Preventing problematic reviews in the future
For hosts, the best defense against unfair reviews is clear communication before and during the stay. Set expectations in your listing description, house rules, and welcome message. Respond quickly to guest messages and address concerns as they come up. If a guest is unhappy during their stay, you have a chance to fix the problem before they leave a review.
For guests, think carefully before posting a review. Remember that you have 48 hours to change your mind. If you are upset about your stay, wait a day or two before writing — you may feel differently once you have had time to reflect. Be specific about what went wrong rather than venting, and focus on facts rather than personal attacks. This makes your review more useful and less likely to be seen as unfair.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I edit a review after 48 hours?
No. Once the 48-hour window closes, you cannot edit or delete your review yourself. You can only request that Airbnb remove it if it violates their policies. If you want to clarify something you said, you can post a comment on your own review in some cases, but you cannot change the original text or rating.
If a review is removed, will the guest or host be notified?
Yes. The person whose review was removed will receive an email from Airbnb explaining that the review violated their policies and has been taken down. They will not receive details about who reported it. The other party (host or guest) will also be notified that the review has been removed.
Can a host respond to a review before requesting its removal?
Yes, and it is often a good idea. You can post a public response to any review, even while you are also reporting it to Airbnb. Your response will appear below the review for all future guests to see. If Airbnb ultimately removes the review, your response will be removed too.
What if someone leaves a review for a booking that never happened?
Report the review to Airbnb and explain that the person did not stay at your property. Provide details such as the booking dates, and note that no reservation exists for that person. Airbnb can investigate and remove fake reviews, though this may take longer than reports of policy violations.
How long does it take Airbnb to respond to a removal request?
Response times vary. Most reports are reviewed within a few days to a week, but during busy periods it can take longer. You will receive an email once Airbnb has made a decision. If you do not hear back within two weeks, you can contact support again to follow up on your report.