Write your review within 30 days of checkout, then tap the star rating and comment box on your booking confirmation
Open the Airbnb app or website, go to your account, and select Trips. Find the stay you want to review and tap Review your stay. You will see five empty stars and a text box. Rate the listing from one to five stars, then type your review in the comment field. Hit Post when you are done. The review goes live when ready and appears on the listing page for other guests to read.
You have 30 days after checkout to leave a review. After that window closes, the option disappears and you cannot add one later. If you are still in the property on checkout day, you can review it when ready — you do not have to wait until you leave.
Your review is tied to your Airbnb profile and shows your name, photo, and review history. Hosts can see that you left a review but cannot see what you wrote until they choose to read it. Once both the guest and host have left reviews, both appear on the listing page.
Key Takeaways
- You must review within 30 days of your checkout date, or the option to leave a review closes permanently.
- A one- to three-sentence review is enough — mention what worked, what did not, and whether you would stay again.
- Be specific about the problem: say "the shower had no hot water" instead of "the bathroom was bad."
- Hosts read reviews that mention cleanliness, accuracy of photos, communication, and whether the listing matched the description.
- Your review is public and appears under your real name, so avoid venting or language you would not say to the host directly.
What to include in a useful review
Start with the star rating. Five stars means you would stay again and recommend it. Four stars means it was good but had a minor issue. Three stars means it was acceptable but had a notable problem. Two stars means you would not stay again. One star means the stay was unsafe or the listing was drastically misrepresented.
Then write about what mattered most to you. If you travel for work, mention the desk, Wi-Fi speed, and noise level. If you travel with children, mention the kitchen, safety features, and proximity to activities. If you are on a budget, mention whether the price matched what you got. Hosts use reviews to understand who their guests are and what they value.
Be specific. Instead of "the place was dirty," write "there was dust on the shelves and the kitchen floor had crumbs." Instead of "the host was rude," write "the host did not respond to my message about the broken shower until after I checked out." Specific details help other guests decide whether the issue matters to them, and they help the host understand what to fix.
How to handle problems without being unfair
If something went wrong, describe what happened and what you did about it. If you reported it to the host during your stay and they fixed it, say so — that shows other guests the host responds quickly. If you reported it and they did not fix it, mention that too.
Separate the host's behavior from the property's condition. A host who is slow to respond but owns a clean, accurate listing deserves a review that reflects both things. A host who is friendly but rents out a listing that does not match the photos deserves a review that reflects both things.
Do not leave a review while you are still angry. Wait a day or two. A review written the same day as checkout often sounds harsher than you meant it to. You cannot edit or delete a review after you post it, so read it once more before you hit Post.
What not to include in your review
Do not mention the host's personal life, appearance, or family unless it directly affected your stay. Do not use profanity or insults. Do not accuse the host of dishonesty without evidence — if the photos looked different from the property, describe the difference instead of saying the host lied.
Do not mention other guests or give away the location in a way that compromises the host's privacy. Do not ask the host to refund you or offer compensation in the review — that is a conversation for Airbnb's resolution center, not a public comment.
Do not review the neighborhood or the city. Review the listing and the host's service. If the neighborhood was not what you expected, that is useful information, but frame it as "the listing is in a quiet residential area" rather than "this neighborhood is boring."
How reviews affect the host and the listing
Airbnb shows the average star rating on the listing page. A listing with mostly five-star reviews appears higher in search results than one with three-star reviews. Hosts whose average rating drops below 4.6 stars may lose visibility or be suspended from the platform if the rating stays low.
Hosts read reviews carefully. A review that says "the listing was exactly as described and the host was responsive" tells them they are doing well. A review that says "the photos were from 2015 and the kitchen appliances are broken" tells them what to fix to attract better guests.
Your review also helps other guests. If you mention that the listing has no air conditioning in a hot climate, or that the nearest grocery store is a 20-minute walk, guests with different needs can make an informed choice about whether to book.
Leaving a review on the Airbnb website instead of the app
If you prefer to write on a computer, log into Airbnb.com, click your profile icon in the top right, and select Trips. Find your past stay and click Review your stay. The form is the same as on the app — stars, then a text box. Type your review and click Post review.
The website version gives you a slightly larger text box, which some people find easier for longer reviews. The important date is still 30 days from checkout, and the review appears on the listing page the same way.
What happens after you post your review
Your review appears on the listing page when ready. The host will see a notification that you left a review but will not see the text unless they click to read it. If the host leaves a review of you, both reviews become visible to other guests at the same time.
You cannot edit or delete your review after you post it. If you made a typo or want to add something, you have to contact Airbnb support and explain why. They rarely delete reviews, so it is worth proofreading before you post.
If a host reports your review as inappropriate, Airbnb may remove it. Reviews that contain profanity, threats, discrimination, or false accusations are most likely to be taken down. Reviews that are honest and factual, even if they are negative, almost always stay up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the host see my review before I post it?
No. You write and post the review in your own account. The host only sees it after you have submitted it. Once it is posted, the host gets a notification but cannot see the text until they choose to read it.
What if I want to change my review after I post it?
You cannot edit or delete a review yourself. Contact Airbnb support through the app or website and explain why you want it removed. They will consider your request, but they rarely delete reviews unless they violate Airbnb's policies.
Do I have to leave a review?
No. Leaving a review is optional. If you do not review within 30 days, the option closes and you cannot add one later. Many guests skip reviews, but hosts value them because they help improve the listing and guide other travelers.
Can I see my review after I post it?
Yes. Go to Trips, find the stay, and tap View your review. You will see your stars and comment as other guests see it on the listing page. You cannot edit it from there, but you can read it to make sure it posted correctly.
What if the host leaves a bad review of me?
Both reviews appear on the listing page once they are both posted. If you believe the host's review is unfair or violates Airbnb's policies, contact Airbnb support with details. They will review it, but they do not remove reviews straightforward because you disagree with them.