You can reply to any review within 30 days of the guest's post

Airbnb lets you write a response to every review a guest leaves about your listing. You have 30 days from the date the review appears to reply. Your response shows up directly below the guest's review, visible to anyone looking at your listing page. Once you post a response, you cannot edit or delete it, so take time to write it carefully the first time.

The response box appears on your Airbnb dashboard under the Reviews section. You do not need to respond to every review, but hosts who do respond tend to see higher booking rates and better guest confidence. A response shows future guests that you are present and engaged with feedback.

Key Takeaways

  • You have 30 days from the review date to respond, and your response becomes permanent once posted.
  • Responses appear publicly on your listing page, so write professionally even if the review is negative.
  • Thank guests for positive reviews and address specific concerns in negative ones without arguing or making excuses.
  • Keep your response brief—two to three sentences is usually enough—and never ask a guest to change their review.
  • If a review violates Airbnb's content policy, report it to Airbnb instead of responding publicly.

How to find and open the review response box

Log into your Airbnb account and go to the Listings section. Select the property the review is about. Click on Reviews in the left menu. You will see all reviews for that listing, with the newest at the top. Find the review you want to respond to and look for a text box or button labeled "Write a response" or "Reply." Click it to open the response field.

On mobile, the process is the same: open the Airbnb app, go to Listings, select your property, tap Reviews, and find the review. The response option appears below the guest's text. If you do not see a response box, the 30-day window may have closed, or the review may have been removed by Airbnb.

What to write in a positive review response

For five-star or four-star reviews, keep your response short and warm. Thank the guest by name if possible, mention something specific they said, and invite them back. Example: "Thank you so much, Maria. We are thrilled you loved the garden and the location. We hope to host you again soon." This takes 15 seconds to read and shows future guests that you value feedback.

Do not use the response to ask the guest to book again, offer them a discount, or ask them to leave another review. Airbnb prohibits incentivizing reviews, and doing so can result in warnings or account suspension. A straightforward thank-you is enough.

How to handle negative reviews professionally

If a guest left a one-star or two-star review, read it carefully before responding. Do not respond while upset. Wait a few hours or until the next day. Your response will be public, and defensive or angry replies damage your reputation with future guests.

Address the specific problem the guest mentioned without making excuses. If they said the Wi-Fi was slow, you might write: "We appreciate your feedback about the internet connection. We have since upgraded our router and tested the speed. We would welcome the chance to host you again." If the complaint is about something you cannot fix—such as noise from a nearby street—acknowledge it: "Thank you for letting us know about the street noise. This is something we mention in our listing, but we understand it was not the right fit for your stay."

Never ask the guest to change their review or offer them money to remove it. Never argue with the guest or claim they are wrong. Never use the response to air grievances about the guest's behavior. Future guests read these exchanges, and professionalism matters more than being right.

When to report a review instead of responding

Some reviews violate Airbnb's content policy and should be reported rather than answered. Do not respond publicly to reviews that contain profanity, personal attacks, threats, or false claims about your property or character. Do not respond to reviews that mention off-platform communication or payment.

Instead, go to the review and click the three-dot menu icon. Select "Report this review." Airbnb will investigate. If the review breaks the rules, Airbnb removes it. This process takes a few days to a few weeks. While you wait, the review remains visible, but reporting it creates a record with Airbnb that protects you if the guest has a pattern of problematic behavior.

Timing and visibility of your response

Your response appears on the listing page within a few minutes of posting. It shows up directly below the guest's review, indented slightly to show it is your reply. The response is visible to all users—guests browsing your listing, people reading reviews before booking, and the guest who wrote the original review.

There is no way to make a response private or visible only to certain people. Everything you write in a response is permanent and public. This is why you should never include personal information, phone numbers, email addresses, or details about a specific guest's stay that could identify them to others.

Common mistakes to avoid

Do not use your response to ask the guest questions or request information. The guest may not return to read your reply, and Airbnb is not a messaging platform. If you need to contact the guest, use the messaging feature in your Airbnb account.

Do not respond to multiple reviews with the same generic text. Future guests notice when every response is identical. Personalize each one with a detail from that specific review. Do not mention your house rules, cancellation policy, or other policies in your response—save those conversations for your listing description and pre-arrival messages.

Do not use your response to advertise other properties, services, or websites. Do not include links. Keep the focus on the guest's experience and your commitment to hosting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I edit or delete my response after I post it?

No. Once you submit a response, it becomes permanent. You cannot edit, delete, or hide it. This is why you should read your response carefully before clicking submit. If you made a typo or said something you regret, you cannot fix it through the response system. Your only option is to contact Airbnb support and explain the situation, though they rarely remove responses.

What happens if I do not respond to a review?

Nothing negative happens automatically. You are not required to respond to any review. However, hosts who respond to reviews—especially negative ones—tend to have higher booking rates and better overall ratings. Guests see a response as a sign that you are attentive and care about their feedback. Ignoring reviews, particularly complaints, can make future guests hesitant to book.

Can I ask the guest to change their review if I respond?

No. Airbnb prohibits asking guests to modify, remove, or change their reviews in exchange for anything—money, discounts, or future perks. Doing so violates Airbnb's policies and can result in warnings or account suspension. You can acknowledge the issue and explain what you have done to fix it, but you cannot negotiate with the guest about the review itself.

Should I respond to reviews that mention problems I disagree with?

Yes, but carefully. Acknowledge the guest's experience without arguing. You might write: "We are sorry the temperature control did not meet your expectations. Our thermostat is set to 72 degrees, but we understand comfort is personal. We would be happy to provide extra blankets or a fan for future guests." This shows you listened without admitting fault or being defensive.

How long does my response stay visible?

Your response stays visible as long as the review itself remains on your listing. If Airbnb removes the review for violating policy, your response is removed with it. Otherwise, both the review and your response remain on your listing page indefinitely and are searchable by future guests.