Airbnb removes 59,000 listings - What'd They DO wrong?

Question

Click Bait. ;-) They were FAKE Listings. I didn't know you make a fake listing but AirBNB knows.

*****************************************************

Airbnb removes 59,000 fake listings, blocks 157,000 fake accounts

Additionally, the company said that over 260,000 listings have adjusted or eliminated cleaning service fees.

https://www.abc15.com/airbnb-removes-59-000-fake-listings-bl...

Airbnb is intensifying efforts to combat the growing issue of counterfeit listings, a significant concern for users of the platform.

The short- and long-term home rental company took down 59,000 fake listings and stopped an additional 157,000 fraudulent attempts to join the platform this year, according to the Associated Press.

Customers have been increasingly voicing complaints about fake listings, and the company said it also plans to implement thorough verification processes using AI for all listings in the U.S., U.K., Canada, France, and Australia later this year.

Although fake listings do lead to financial losses for the company, Airbnb's CEO, Brian Chesky, emphasized to the AP that their foremost concern is the potential damage to the company's reputation.

"If you can't trust when you book an Airbnb that it's real and you're going to like it, then you're going to stay in a hotel," said Chesky.

Customers have also complained about excessive cleaning fees when using Airbnb.

In response to these concerns, the company said that over 260,000 listings have adjusted or eliminated cleaning service fees since it started allowing consumers to sort listings based on prices.

"We got a lot of feedback that Airbnb is not as affordable as it used to be," CEO Brian Chesky told the AP, adding that they are actively developing measures, including "seasonal dynamic pricing," to assist hosts in adjusting prices more frequently.

Lauren Kormylo · Answer

This brings up the question why hasn't Airbnb been verifying listings before now?  Chesky should be embarrassed to admit his company let that many scammers in.

Cliff H. · Answer

Absolutely love how Cheeky Chesky points out people complaining about high fees, yet chooses to focus on cleaning fees in a challenging labor market versus AirBnB’s own increasing platform and cancellation fees.

"We got a lot of feedback that Airbnb is not as affordable as it used to be…”

”So we’re raising fees to pay for AI and asking hosts to pay their workers nothing like our friends at Uber”

Alex Scattareggia · Answer

I actually had first hand experience with one of these fake listings recently on our vacation.  It´s a pretty obvious scam if you are in the STR industry but I can see how people fall for it.

It was a property in Nice, France.  The listing looked amazing, and the price was great but not so ridiculous that it was obviously fake.  Right on the page it listed a WhatsApp number and said something like ¨because we list on a lot of sites please text the property manager to get up to date availability and the best rates¨ We contacted them through Airbnb and they also directed us to the private cell number.

When you texted the number, they immediately started with a pitch about booking off the site to save on all the fees etc.  If you book through Airbnb, it will cost this, if you book directly with us, it will save you x%.

Pretty easy to imagine they get quite a few people that way.  Anyway good to know it is being handled.

John Underwood · Answer

They are going to provide "seasonal dynamic pricing" ?

How is that going to work? Is this more of their recommendation to cut your price in half?

Vrbo recommends raising your rate which seems too high in most cases.

I just check the competition or use Vrbo's "Market Maler" which provides great information on demand and average price of booked and unbooked properties.

During peak demand I want to be higher than most. During slow periods I adjust a little lower than the going rate.

Michael Baum · Answer

Good to know. I wonder if they removed a bunch of the fakes that try and book with those great stories.

"My company will be paying with a 3rd party out of state check post dated to next year, send me all your personal information so I can get you paid...."

Alex Scattareggia · Answer

Booking also provides some really helpful metrics on demand and more specifically on who is searching for your market. (couples, singles, groups etc.), where they are searching from, and how far in advance they are conducting the search.

In my opinion, especially after reading the statements from Chesky, their addition of the rooms category, and the push to show total prices without fees, Airbnb definitely wants to get back to a more value focused proposition in comparison to the other OTA´s and hotel segments.

They seem to definitely be subject to the whims of Twitter replies in a lot of the decisions they make.

All that being said they are still the best lead generator for the majority of markets that I have looked at.

Ned J. · Answer

And 95% of those fake listings will be back in business in a matter of days/weeks...scammers will always find a way....some weakness or vulnerability

I applaud the effort and its a 100% necessary step.....but scammers are usually a step or two ahead of their effort to block them

Matthew Masoud · Answer

Glad they are taking action.

As a host with 12 listings I've been seeing a spike in guests wanting to "communicate on whatsapp" or mail me a check before making the reservation.

We'll see if it makes a difference or maybe scammers just adapt.

Robert Ellis · Answer

Wow! This is a positive step forward in ensuring transparency and quality in Airbnb listings. Removing fake listings and addressing cleaning service fees shows a commitment to providing a trustworthy platform for both hosts and guests. It's reassuring to see Airbnb take proactive measures to enhance the user experience.

Michael Smythe · Answer

way past due.

Airbnb removes 59,000 listings - What'd They DO wrong?

Most Popular Reply