Airbnb removed its category filters in 2023 and replaced them with a search-based system
Until mid-2023, Airbnb organized listings into categories like "Beachfront," "Tiny Homes," "Treehouses," and "Farms" that you could click to browse. In June 2023, Airbnb shut down that category browsing system and moved to a keyword search model instead. You can no longer click a "Cabins" button and see all cabin listings in a region — you have to type "cabin" into the search bar or use filters to narrow results.
The company said the change was meant to make searching faster and more personalized, but the shift removed a browsing experience many users relied on. If you're looking for a specific type of property, the new system requires more active searching on your part rather than passive browsing through curated lists.
Key Takeaways
- Airbnb's clickable category buttons disappeared in June 2023, replaced by a keyword search system where you type what you want.
- You can still find specific property types by typing keywords like "cabin," "beach," or "treehouse" directly into the search bar.
- The Filters button on the search results page lets you narrow by property type, amenities, and price, which replaces some of what categories used to do.
- Some users can still see category suggestions on the homepage, but these are algorithmic recommendations, not a browsable directory.
- The old category system is completely gone — there is no way to restore it or access a full list of properties by type without searching.
How the old category system worked
The category tiles appeared on Airbnb's homepage and let you click directly into a filtered view. If you clicked "Beachfront," you would see only beachfront properties in your search area. Categories included "Cabins," "Tiny Homes," "Treehouses," "Farms," "Houseboats," "Igloos," "Castles," "Villas," and about 30 others depending on what was available in your region.
This system was visual and required no typing. You could browse by mood or property type without knowing exactly what you wanted. Many users preferred this because it felt like flipping through a magazine rather than running a database query. The categories also changed seasonally — "Ski-in/Ski-out" appeared in winter, "Beach" was prominent in summer.
Why Airbnb made the change
Airbnb stated that the category system was inefficient for users searching on mobile phones and that keyword search was faster. The company also said that most users were searching for specific locations (a city or neighborhood) rather than browsing by property type, so the categories were underused.
Internally, the shift also simplified Airbnb's backend. Instead of maintaining and updating category definitions, the platform could rely on the text descriptions hosts write and the keywords users type. This reduced the work of categorizing every new listing and let Airbnb's algorithm learn what users actually searched for rather than guessing what they wanted to see.
How to find property types now without categories
The most direct method is to type your property type into the search bar. Type your location, then add a keyword like "cabin," "beach," "treehouse," or "tiny home" in the search field. Airbnb's search will return listings that match both your location and the keyword you entered.
After you search, click the Filters button to narrow further. Under "Type of place," you can select "Entire place," "Private room," or "Shared room." You can also filter by specific amenities — "Pool," "Hot tub," "Washer," "Dryer" — which helps you find properties with features you need. Price range, number of bedrooms, and pet policies are also available in the Filters menu.
Some users still see category suggestions on the Airbnb homepage, but these are personalized recommendations based on your search history, not a browsable directory. If you see a suggestion that interests you, you can click it, but you cannot browse all categories the way you could before.
What property types are hardest to find now
Unusual property types like "Treehouses," "Igloos," "Castles," and "Houseboats" are harder to locate because they require you to know the exact word to search for. If you type "treehouse" and get no results, you might try "tree house" (two words) or "elevated cabin," but there is no may provide list to browse.
Niche categories that Airbnb used to highlight — like "Beachfront," "Ski-in/Ski-out," or "Farms" — now depend on hosts using those exact words in their listing titles or descriptions. Some hosts may describe a beachfront property as "oceanfront" or "waterfront" instead, so a search for "beachfront" might miss it.
If you cannot find what you want by typing keywords, try using the Filters to search by amenities instead. For example, if you want a property near water, filter by "Waterfront" under amenities. This is slower than clicking a category, but it works.
Whether Airbnb might bring categories back
There is no indication that Airbnb plans to restore the category system. The company has not mentioned it in updates or user feedback responses. The shift to keyword search appears to be permanent, and Airbnb has invested in improving its search algorithm and filter options instead.
Some third-party websites and browser extensions have tried to recreate category browsing by scraping Airbnb data, but these tools are not official and may violate Airbnb's terms of service. Your safest option is to learn the new search and filter system, which does the same job — it just requires you to be more specific about what you want.
Comparing the old and new ways to search
| Task | Old Category System | New Search System |
|---|---|---|
| Find all cabins in a region | Click "Cabins" category, see all results | Type location, add "cabin" to search, use Filters |
| Browse by mood (e.g., "I want something unique") | Click "Treehouses," "Igloos," or "Castles" | Type keyword or check homepage recommendations |
| Find beachfront properties | Click "Beachfront" category | Type "beachfront" or filter by "Waterfront" amenity |
| Narrow by amenities | Limited; categories were broad | Use Filters for pool, hot tub, kitchen, etc. |
| Search on mobile | Categories took up screen space | Cleaner interface, faster typing |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still see Airbnb categories anywhere?
Some users see category suggestions on the homepage based on their search history, but these are algorithmic recommendations, not a full browsable directory. The official category system that let you click and browse is gone. You can only find properties by typing keywords or using filters.
What if I search for a property type and get no results?
Try a different keyword — hosts may use different words. "Beachfront" might be listed as "oceanfront" or "waterfront." For unusual types like treehouses, try variations like "tree house" or "elevated." If keywords do not work, use the Filters to search by amenities instead, like "Waterfront" or "Outdoor space."
Is there a way to restore the old category system?
No. Airbnb removed the category system permanently in 2023 and has not offered a way to turn it back on. The company has stated that keyword search and filters are the new standard. You cannot revert to the old browsing experience.
Does the new system work better than categories?
It depends on your search style. If you know what you want and can type a keyword, the new system is faster. If you like browsing and discovering properties by type, the old categories were easier. The new system requires more active searching but offers more detailed filtering options.
Why did Airbnb get rid of categories if people liked them?
Airbnb said most users search by location first, not by property type, and that categories took up space on mobile screens. The company also simplified its backend by removing the need to manually categorize listings. The change prioritized speed and mobile usability over browsing experience.