Airbnb stopped showing category filters in 2023 to push users toward its search algorithm instead

In early 2023, Airbnb removed the category sidebar that let you filter listings by type—Beachfront, Tiny Homes, Treehouses, and dozens of others. The company replaced it with a search-focused design that relies on its algorithm to show you properties based on what you type and your past behavior. Airbnb said the change was meant to simplify the app and help you discover listings you might not have thought to search for. What actually happened is that browsing by category became harder, and finding niche property types now requires knowing what to search for or scrolling through results.

The shift reflects a broader business decision: Airbnb wants to control what you see. When you use category filters, you are in charge—you pick Beachfront and see every beachfront property. When you rely on search and algorithm, Airbnb's system decides which results rank highest, which means it can promote properties with higher profit margins or better booking rates. The company also simplified its app to reduce clutter and make the interface faster on mobile devices, but the trade-off is less control for the person searching.

Key Takeaways

  • Airbnb removed category filters in 2023 and replaced them with a search-first design powered by its algorithm.
  • You can still find niche property types by typing specific keywords into the search bar—"treehouse," "beach cabin," "tiny home"—rather than clicking a category.
  • The algorithm shows results based on your search terms, past behavior, and Airbnb's ranking system, which prioritizes properties Airbnb wants to promote.
  • Filters for price, number of bedrooms, and amenities still exist, but they appear after you search rather than before.
  • If you want to browse by property type without searching, you may need to use the Airbnb website on a desktop browser, where some category options occasionally reappear in seasonal promotions.

How the old category system worked

Before the 2023 redesign, Airbnb's home screen displayed a horizontal row of category tiles: Beachfront, Countryside, Tiny Homes, Treehouses, Boats, Castles, and many others. You tapped one, and the app showed you every listing tagged with that category in your search area. It was straightforward—you knew exactly what you were looking at, and you could compare properties within the same type. The categories were also seasonal; Airbnb would rotate them based on travel trends, adding categories like "Ski-in/Ski-out" in winter or "Beach" in summer.

The category system had limits. Some listings fit multiple categories but were tagged with only one, so you might miss a beachfront tiny home if you searched only for Tiny Homes. Categories also made it straightforward to ignore properties that didn't fit neatly into a type, even if they would have been perfect for your trip. Airbnb's internal data likely showed that many users browsed categories without booking, so the company decided the system wasn't driving enough conversions.

Why Airbnb made the change

Airbnb stated publicly that removing categories was about simplification and discovery. The company said the old sidebar took up screen space, made the app slower on phones, and limited what you could find because you had to think of a category first. By moving to search-first design, Airbnb argued, the algorithm could show you listings you didn't know existed—a beachfront cabin with a hot tub when you searched for "beach," even if you didn't specifically ask for a hot tub.

The business incentive is less visible but real. When Airbnb controls the ranking order, it can promote listings with higher commission rates, better host ratings, or properties that have been sitting empty and need bookings. It can also A/B test different ranking strategies to see which ones generate the most revenue. A user browsing categories sees all options equally; a user seeing algorithm-ranked results sees what Airbnb wants them to see first. This shift also reduced the complexity of the app, which matters for user retention on mobile—a simpler interface means fewer taps and less chance of users leaving before they book.

How to search for specific property types now

Without category filters, finding a niche property type requires typing. Open the Airbnb app or website, tap the search bar, and type the property type you want: "treehouse," "tiny home," "beach cabin," "houseboat," "castle," or "farm stay." Airbnb's search engine will return listings that match your keywords, and you can then use the filter button to narrow by price, number of bedrooms, amenities, and availability.

The search method works, but it assumes you know what to search for. If you want to explore what's available without a specific idea in mind, you are at a disadvantage. You can try broad searches like "unique stays" or "unusual homes," but the results depend on how hosts have tagged their listings and how Airbnb's algorithm ranks them. Some hosts use keywords like "treehouse" in their title or description; others do not, so a treehouse might not appear in a treehouse search if the host called it a "tree-based cabin" instead.

Using filters after you search

Once you have typed a search term and Airbnb shows you results, the filter options appear. Tap or click the filter icon (usually a funnel shape) to see price range, number of bedrooms, number of bathrooms, property type, amenities (pool, hot tub, kitchen, washer/dryer), and host language. You can also filter by cancellation policy, whether the host offers a discount for longer stays, and whether the property is a superhost listing. These filters work the same way they did before the category removal—they narrow the results you already have.

The difference is that you now filter within results rather than browsing a category and then filtering. If you search "beach" and get 500 results, you can filter to show only those with a pool and a price under $200 per night. But you cannot browse all beach properties and then decide which category to narrow to, because categories no longer exist as a starting point.

Desktop browsing and seasonal category returns

The Airbnb website on a desktop computer sometimes shows category tiles that the mobile app does not. If you visit airbnb.com on a laptop or desktop browser, you may see a row of categories below the search bar, especially during peak travel seasons. These are not permanent; they change based on what Airbnb is promoting at the moment. You might see "Beach Escapes" in summer or "Ski Retreats" in winter, but these are curated collections rather than the full category system that existed before 2023.

Desktop browsing also gives you more screen space to see results at once, which can make it easier to compare properties side by side. If you are planning a trip and have time to browse, using the website on a computer rather than the app may give you more options and a clearer view of what is available.

What hosts lost when categories disappeared

Removing categories also affected hosts. Before 2023, a host could choose which category or categories their listing belonged to, which helped it show up in relevant searches. Now, Airbnb's system automatically assigns categories based on the listing's features and description, and hosts have less control over how their property is tagged. A host with a treehouse might not be able to may support it appears in treehouse searches if Airbnb's system categorizes it differently. This shift has made it harder for hosts of niche properties to reach the right audience.

Hosts have adapted by using keywords in their titles and descriptions—calling out "treehouse," "tiny home," or "unique stay" explicitly so that search algorithms pick them up. But this is less reliable than the old category system, where a host could straightforward select "Treehouse" and know their listing would appear when someone browsed that category.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I still filter by property type on Airbnb?

Yes, but only after you search. Type a property type into the search bar—"treehouse," "tiny home," "beach house"—and then use the filter button to narrow results. You cannot browse property types from the home screen the way you could before 2023.

Will Airbnb bring back categories?

Airbnb has not announced plans to restore the full category system. The company has occasionally added seasonal category tiles to the website during peak travel periods, but these are temporary promotions, not a return to the old browsing method.

Why does my search not show listings I think should be there?

Airbnb's algorithm ranks results based on relevance, host rating, booking history, and other factors. A property might match your search term but rank low if it has fewer bookings or lower ratings. Also, if a host did not use your search keyword in their listing title or description, Airbnb's system may not connect it to your search.

Is the desktop website different from the mobile app?

Sometimes. The desktop website occasionally shows seasonal category tiles that the mobile app does not. If you are having trouble finding a specific property type, try searching on a computer browser to see if more browsing options appear.

How do I find unusual or niche properties now?

Search for the specific type: "glamping," "houseboat," "castle," "farm stay," or "yurt." You can also try broader searches like "unique stays" or "unusual homes" and use filters to narrow results. Reading host descriptions carefully also helps—hosts often highlight what makes their property special in the title or first few lines.