What to include in your Airbnb review

Your review should describe what you actually experienced during your stay — the condition of the place, how the host communicated, whether the listing matched the photos, and how clean everything was. Be specific about what worked and what did not. Instead of "the place was nice," write "the kitchen had all the pots and pans we needed, but the shower pressure was very low." Hosts and future guests both need details to make decisions.

Rate the five categories Airbnb shows you: cleanliness, communication, accuracy, location, and value. You do not have to give the same score to each one. A spotless apartment in a noisy neighborhood might get five stars for cleanliness but three for location. That breakdown helps the next guest understand what to expect.

Mention anything that surprised you — good or bad. If the host left fresh coffee, said so. If the listing said "ocean view" and you saw a parking lot, say that too. Airbnb uses these details to flag listings that misrepresent themselves, and hosts use them to improve.

Key Takeaways

  • Write specific details about what you saw and experienced, not general praise or complaints, so other guests know what to expect.
  • Rate the five Airbnb categories separately — cleanliness, communication, accuracy, location, and value — because a great apartment in a bad neighborhood deserves different scores.
  • Mention things that surprised you, whether the host left extras or the listing photos were misleading, because these details help Airbnb and future guests.
  • Submit your review within 30 days of checkout; after that, Airbnb closes the window and you cannot post one.
  • Do not post contact information, threats, or claims about illegal activity in your review — Airbnb will remove it or hide it from public view.

How to submit your review on the Airbnb app or website

Log into your Airbnb account and go to your reservation history. Find the stay you want to review and click "Review your stay" or "Write a review." You will see the five rating categories first — move the slider for each one to set your score from one to five stars.

Below the ratings, there is a text box where you write your written review. Airbnb does not require you to write anything, but a written review is much more useful to other guests than stars alone. Type what you want to say, then click "Submit review." Your review goes live when ready, though Airbnb may hide it temporarily if it contains language the system flags.

On the mobile app, the process is the same: open your reservation, tap "Review your stay," set your ratings, write your text, and submit. You can edit your review for up to 30 days after you post it by going back to the same reservation and tapping "Edit review."

What Airbnb will not publish

Airbnb removes or hides reviews that contain contact information (phone numbers, email addresses, social media handles), threats, or accusations of illegal activity. If you had a serious problem — theft, safety hazard, discrimination — report it to Airbnb directly through the Resolution Center instead of putting it in your review. Airbnb takes those reports more seriously than review text, and they do not appear publicly.

Reviews that are mostly profanity, that attack the host personally rather than describing the stay, or that seem to be spam also get removed. Airbnb's system is automated, so sometimes legitimate reviews get flagged by mistake. If your review disappears, you can contact Airbnb support to ask why.

How to write a review that actually helps

The most useful reviews compare what the listing promised to what you found. If the photos showed a modern kitchen but you got 1980s appliances, say that. If the listing said "quiet neighborhood" and you heard traffic all night, mention it. If the description promised a workspace and there was nowhere to put a laptop, note that too. These comparisons tell the next guest whether the listing is honest.

Separate the host's behavior from the property itself. A dirty apartment with a responsive, apologetic host is different from a clean apartment with a host who never answered messages. Future guests need to know both. You might write: "The place was spotless and the host replied within an hour, but the bed was uncomfortable and the air conditioning did not work well."

If something was genuinely excellent — the host left snacks, the location was perfect for what we needed, the place was cleaner than the photos suggested — say so. Hosts read these reviews and use them to know what is working. Positive feedback that is specific ("the host provided a detailed guide to nearby restaurants and they were all excellent") is more valuable than generic praise.

The 30-day review window

You can only submit a review within 30 days of your checkout date. After that, Airbnb closes the review window and you cannot post one. If you want to review a past stay, you have to do it before the 30 days are up. Set a reminder on your phone the day you check out if you think you might forget.

The host can also review you during this same 30-day window. You will see their review once you have submitted yours, or after the 30 days close — whichever comes first. If neither of you reviews within 30 days, no review appears on either side.

How hosts use your review

Hosts see your written review and your ratings. They use this feedback to fix problems — if multiple guests mention the shower pressure, the host will likely upgrade it. They also use reviews to decide whether to accept future bookings from you. A guest with a pattern of low ratings and harsh reviews may find fewer hosts willing to book them.

Your review also affects the host's overall rating, which appears on their listing. Hosts with ratings below 4.6 stars often lose bookings, so a one-star review has real consequences. That is why it matters to be fair and specific: if you give one star, explain why clearly so the host understands what went wrong and other guests know what to expect.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I review a host if I canceled my reservation?

No. Airbnb only lets you review stays you actually completed. If you canceled before arriving or the host canceled on you, you cannot leave a review of the listing or the host.

What happens if the host leaves a bad review of me?

Both reviews appear on your profile once they are posted. Future hosts can see your reviews and ratings. If you have a pattern of low ratings or complaints, some hosts may decline to book you. You cannot remove a host's review, but you can respond to it in writing if you think it is unfair.

Can I post a review without rating the five categories?

No. Airbnb requires you to set a rating for cleanliness, communication, accuracy, location, and value before you can submit. You do not have to write a text review, but the five star ratings are mandatory.

Can I change my review after I post it?

Yes, for 30 days after you submit. Go back to your reservation, click "Edit review," make your changes, and save. After 30 days, you cannot edit it anymore.

Should I mention the host's name in my review?

You do not need to — Airbnb already links the review to the listing and the host. Using the host's name is fine, but it is not necessary. Focus on describing the stay itself rather than the person.