Where to find reviews on an Airbnb listing
Reviews appear on the listing page itself, below the photos and description. Scroll down past the "About this place" section and you will see a heading that says "Reviews" followed by a number — that number is the total count of reviews the property has received. All reviews posted by past guests are visible there, along with the guest's name, the date they stayed, their rating out of 5 stars, and their written comment.
On mobile, the reviews section works the same way. Scroll to the same spot on the listing page and tap to expand any review you want to read in full. The layout is identical whether you are using the Airbnb app or the website.
Key Takeaways
- Reviews are located on the listing page below the property description and photos, under a heading that shows the total review count.
- Each review displays the guest's name, stay date, star rating, and written comment so you can see what past guests experienced.
- You can sort reviews by newest first, oldest first, or highest to lowest rating to focus on the feedback that matters most to you.
- Airbnb shows the host's response to each review if one exists, which can reveal how the host handles problems or complaints.
- A property with fewer than five reviews may not give you enough information to spot patterns in guest feedback.
How to sort and filter reviews
Airbnb lets you change the order in which reviews appear. Near the top of the reviews section, you will see a dropdown menu or sorting option. Click or tap it to choose between "Newest," "Oldest," or "Highest Rating" first. Sorting by newest shows you the most recent guest experiences, which often reflects the current state of the property. Sorting by lowest rating first lets you see what problems guests have reported.
There is no way to filter reviews by topic — for example, you cannot show only reviews that mention cleanliness or only reviews about the host's communication. You have to read through the reviews yourself to spot patterns. However, Airbnb does highlight certain keywords in reviews, so if many guests mention "noisy" or "dirty," those words may stand out visually on the page.
What information each review contains
Every review shows the guest's first name and last initial, the dates they stayed, and their star rating. Below that is their written comment, which can range from a single sentence to several paragraphs. Some guests leave detailed feedback about specific rooms, amenities, or the neighborhood. Others leave only a rating with no comment at all.
The host can respond to any review, and their response appears directly below the guest's comment. A host response is often a thank-you for positive feedback, an apology for a problem, or an explanation of a complaint. Reading the host's response tells you how they handle criticism and whether they take guest concerns seriously. If a guest complained about something and the host did not respond, that is also worth noting.
How to spot patterns in reviews
With only one or two reviews, you cannot tell whether a problem is common or a one-time event. Read at least five to ten reviews before deciding. Look for words or complaints that appear in multiple reviews — if three guests mention that the WiFi is slow, that is a real issue. If one guest complains about noise and no one else does, it may have been a single bad night or a guest who is sensitive to sound.
Pay attention to the dates of reviews as well. A complaint from six months ago may have been fixed since then, especially if newer reviews do not mention the same problem. Conversely, if a problem appears in recent reviews, it is likely still happening. The most useful reviews are usually the ones from the last few months, because they reflect what you would actually experience if you booked now.
Red flags to watch for in reviews
Certain complaints should make you think twice. Multiple guests mentioning cleanliness issues, broken appliances, or missing items suggest the host does not maintain the property well. Reviews saying the listing photos do not match the actual space mean you may arrive to something very different from what you expected. Complaints about the host being unresponsive or unhelpful indicate you may have trouble if something goes wrong during your stay.
Be cautious if a property has very few reviews relative to how long it has been listed. A listing that has been active for a year but has only two reviews may mean guests are not booking it, or the host is not encouraging feedback. A property with no reviews at all is a bigger risk because you have no information about the host's track record.
How to read reviews from verified guests
Airbnb marks reviews as coming from "Verified Guests" — people who actually stayed at the property and booked through Airbnb. This verification appears next to the guest's name. All reviews on the main listing page are from verified guests, so you do not have to worry about fake reviews on that section. Airbnb removes reviews that violate its policies, such as reviews that contain hate speech or that appear to be written by someone who did not actually stay there.
If you see a review that seems suspicious or dishonest, you can report it to Airbnb using a flag or report button near that review. However, most reviews you see have already passed Airbnb's verification process.
Understanding the overall rating versus individual reviews
The overall star rating shown at the top of the listing is an average of all reviews the property has received. A property with a 4.8-star rating has mostly positive reviews, but that average can hide variation. A property might have ten 5-star reviews and one 1-star review, which averages to 4.5 stars. Reading individual reviews shows you whether the low rating was a fluke or whether there is a real problem that most guests overlook.
Airbnb also shows you the host's response rate and how quickly they typically respond to messages. These metrics appear near the reviews section and give you a sense of how engaged the host is. A host with a 100% response rate and fast replies is usually more reliable than one who responds to only half of messages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see reviews before I book?
Yes. All reviews are visible on the listing page before you make a reservation. You do not have to book first to read what past guests wrote. This is one of the main ways to decide whether a property is right for you.
Can a host delete bad reviews?
No. Hosts cannot delete reviews from guests. They can only respond to them. Airbnb removes reviews only if they violate its policies, such as containing harassment or profanity. A host cannot ask Airbnb to take down a review just because it is negative.
What does it mean if a review has no comment, just a star rating?
Some guests leave only a rating without writing anything. This usually means they had a straightforward experience — either good or bad — but did not feel the need to explain. A 5-star rating with no comment typically means the guest was satisfied. A 1-star rating with no comment is harder to interpret, but it signals dissatisfaction about something.
Should I book a property with only a few reviews?
A new listing with one or two reviews carries more risk because you have limited information about the host's reliability. However, new hosts are often more attentive and eager to earn good feedback. If the reviews that do exist are positive and detailed, and the host has a fast response rate, a newer listing can still be a safe choice. Read the available reviews carefully and message the host with any questions before booking.
Can I see reviews from guests who stayed in a specific room or time of year?
No. Airbnb does not let you filter reviews by season, room type, or guest type. All reviews for the listing appear together. If you want to know about a specific room or time of year, you can search the review text for keywords or message the host directly to ask about their experience during that period.