Write your review directly in the Airbnb app or website within 30 days of checkout

After you check out, Airbnb sends you a notification prompting you to review your host. Open the notification, go to your booking history, or search for the listing — all three routes lead to the same review form. You have 30 days from your checkout date to submit a review. After 30 days, the option closes and you cannot add one later.

The review form asks for a star rating (1 to 5 stars) and a written comment. Both are optional technically, but hosts see a blank review as unhelpful, and Airbnb's algorithm shows reviews with both a rating and text to more readers. If you leave only stars with no words, your review will be visible to the host but may not appear on the listing page where future guests see it.

Your review becomes public once you submit it. The host can see it when ready. Other guests and potential bookers see it on the listing page, usually sorted by newest first or by relevance to their search. Airbnb does not edit or remove reviews for tone or opinion — only for violations of their content policy (threats, hate speech, personal information, or spam).

Key Takeaways

  • You must write your review within 30 days of checkout; after that window closes, you cannot add or edit one.
  • A rating alone will be visible to the host but may not appear on the public listing page — include written comments for your review to reach other guests.
  • Be specific about what worked or did not work: mention the cleanliness, the bed, the kitchen, the host's communication, or the neighborhood rather than vague praise or complaints.
  • Your review is permanent and public once submitted; Airbnb will not remove it unless it violates their content policy, so avoid sharing personal details or making threats.

Where to find the review form on your device

On the Airbnb app, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right, then select "Trips." Find the booking you want to review and tap it. Scroll down and tap "Review your stay." On the website, log in, click your profile icon in the top right, select "Trips," find the booking, and click "Review your stay."

If you do not see the option, check that 30 days have not passed since checkout. If you are within the window and still cannot find it, try logging out and back in, or clear your browser cache. If the listing has been removed from Airbnb, you may no longer be able to review it.

How to write a review that other guests will find useful

Start by addressing what matters most to travelers: cleanliness, comfort, and whether the listing matched the photos. Say whether the bed was comfortable, the shower had hot water, the kitchen had what you needed, and whether the place was clean when you arrived. Mention the neighborhood — is it quiet, walkable, near transit, noisy at night? These details help future guests decide if the space suits them.

Be honest about problems without being harsh. Instead of "The place was disgusting," write "The kitchen had grease on the stovetop and the bathroom smelled like mold." Instead of "The host was rude," write "The host did not respond to my message about the broken WiFi until after I checked out." Specific complaints are more useful to other guests and to the host, who can actually fix them.

Mention the host's communication and responsiveness if it affected your stay. Did they answer questions before you arrived? Did they help when something broke? Did they ignore your messages? Hosts rely on these reviews to build their reputation, and future guests want to know what kind of support to expect.

Keep your review to a few sentences or a short paragraph. Airbnb shows the first two lines of your review on the listing page, so put the most important information first. Avoid all-caps, excessive punctuation, or language that sounds angry, even if you had a bad experience — reviews written calmly are taken more seriously.

Star ratings and what they mean to hosts and guests

A 5-star review signals that everything met or exceeded expectations. A 4-star review means the stay was good but had minor issues — maybe the bed was slightly firm, or the host took a few hours to respond. A 3-star review indicates significant problems that did not ruin the stay but would make you hesitant to book again. A 2-star review means the listing had major issues or the host was unhelpful. A 1-star review is reserved for serious problems: safety concerns, cleanliness that posed a health risk, or a host who was hostile.

Hosts use their average star rating to attract bookings. A listing with 4.8 stars will show higher in search results than one with 4.2 stars. A single 1-star or 2-star review can significantly lower a host's average, especially if they have fewer than 20 reviews. This matters because hosts depend on bookings for income. If you had a genuinely bad experience, a low rating is fair — but make sure your written comments explain why, so the host understands what went wrong and other guests know what to expect.

What you should not include in your review

Do not share your full name, phone number, email address, or the names of people who stayed with you. Do not post photos or screenshots in the review text (Airbnb has a separate photo upload feature if you want to add images). Do not mention other guests by name or describe them in ways that identify them.

Do not make threats or use hate speech, slurs, or language that attacks the host's identity. Do not accuse the host of illegal activity unless you reported it to Airbnb or law enforcement — accusations without evidence can expose you to legal liability. Do not post contact information for the host or ask other guests to message you outside Airbnb. Airbnb's automated systems flag these violations and may remove your review.

Editing or removing a review you have already posted

You can edit your review at any time after posting it. On the app, go to Trips, find the booking, and tap "Review your stay" again — you will see your existing review with an edit option. On the website, go to Trips, find the booking, and click "Review your stay" to edit. Make your changes and save. The edited review keeps its original date but shows that it was modified.

You cannot delete a review once it is posted. If you want to remove it, contact Airbnb Support and explain why. They will consider your request, but removal is rare — Airbnb prefers to keep reviews visible even if the host and guest later resolve a dispute. If you left a review in anger and want to soften it, editing is your only option.

How Airbnb uses reviews and what hosts see

Airbnb displays reviews on the listing page in order of relevance, which means reviews that mention specific details and have both a rating and text appear higher than vague reviews. The platform also shows a breakdown of ratings — how many 5-star, 4-star, and lower reviews the listing has received. Potential guests read these reviews before booking, so a pattern of complaints about cleanliness or noise will deter bookings even if the overall rating is 4.5 stars.

Hosts see your full review when ready after you submit it. They cannot edit or remove it, but they can write a response. Many hosts use responses to explain their side of a story ("We were not aware of the mold issue until after the guest left") or to apologize and offer a solution. Hosts cannot change your star rating, but a thoughtful response can influence how other guests interpret your review.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the host see my review before it goes public?

Yes. The host sees your review the moment you submit it, even if it has not appeared on the listing page yet. Airbnb does not hide reviews from hosts while they are being reviewed for policy violations. The host can respond to your review at any time.

What happens if I leave a bad review and the host retaliates with a bad review of me?

Airbnb prohibits retaliatory reviews. If you believe a host left a negative review specifically in response to yours, report it to Airbnb Support with screenshots or details. Airbnb investigates and may remove reviews that violate this policy. Document the timeline — your review date and their response date — to show the connection.

Can I review a host if I cancelled my booking before checking in?

No. Airbnb only allows reviews from guests who completed a stay. If you cancelled before arrival, you will not see a review option. You can contact Airbnb Support to leave feedback about your cancellation experience, but it will not appear as a public review on the listing.

Do I have to leave a review?

No. Reviews are optional. If you do not submit one within 30 days, Airbnb will not penalize you. However, hosts appreciate reviews because they help build credibility and attract future bookings. If you had a good experience, a brief positive review takes less than a minute and helps the host.

Can I change my star rating after I have already posted a review?

Yes. When you edit your review, you can change the star rating along with the text. Your edited review will show the new rating, and the edit date will be visible to other guests and the host.