Issues with your Airbnb Listing? Quick Solutions for Hosts (and, what might be causing it!)
Did your Airbnb bookings suddenly dry up? Before you slash your prices in a panic, take a deep breath. A little-known corner of your Airbnb account could explain everything, and it might be holding your listing back.
You may have serious Airbnb listing issues and not even know it. We’re talking about a specific section that gathers guest feedback you might have missed. If you’ve never looked for it, you absolutely need to now.
We’ve rounded up all of our Airbnb Hosting Must-Haves right here in our Amazon Store. Click here to grab everything you need to curate your property and start earning 5-star reviews.
Table Of Contents:
- What Are Airbnb Listing Issues?
- How to Find Your Listing Issues on Airbnb
- Why You Absolutely Cannot Ignore These Airbnb Listing Issues
- A Step-by-Step Plan to Fix Your Listing Issues
- Real-Life Examples: It’s Not Always What You Think
- The Biggest Listing Issue of All
- Conclusion
What Are Airbnb Listing Issues?
To see this valuable information, you need to turn on your professional hosting tools. If they’re not active, you can switch them on in your account settings. Using these advanced hosting tools gives you much more data from the platform.
Once active, you’ll see that Airbnb is constantly collecting guest data. After a guest checks out, they receive a request for a review with very detailed questions. Those answers don’t just vanish; they become part of your hosting record.
Every piece of guest feedback, especially the private comments, is now gathered and categorized. The Airbnb algorithm analyzes this information for patterns of complaints. This is how Airbnb listing issues are born and flagged on your account.
How to Find Your Listing Issues on Airbnb
Are you ready to see if you have any hidden problems? Let’s find out. Finding this section takes a few clicks, but it’s worth the search for any host focused on solid property management.
First, make sure you’re on the hosting side of your Airbnb profile, not the travel side. Then, follow these steps:
- In the top right corner, click on the menu icon (it looks like three dashed lines).
- From the dropdown menu, select ‘Insights’.
- On the left side of the screen, look at the bottom and click on ‘Listings’.
- Under that section, you should see ‘Listing issues’.
The center of your screen will then show any current issues your property has. So, do you have any? Don’t feel bad if you do; we’ve had our fair share, too.
Why You Absolutely Cannot Ignore These Airbnb Listing Issues
If you see a problem listed, you can bet the Airbnb algorithm is using that information against you. Ignoring these flags hurts your listing visibility and is a mistake you can’t afford to make. Your search ranking is a huge factor in your success.
Airbnb’s goal is to provide a consistently great guest experience. If your property is getting feedback about slow Wi-Fi or uncomfortable beds, Airbnb will show it to fewer people. They would rather promote a property with a track record of being problem-free.
This is why your listing might get pushed down in the search results, causing your booking rate to drop. They aren’t going to put a product with known problems at the top of the page. You have to be proactive, so add a weekly reminder to your calendar to check this section.
A Step-by-Step Plan to Fix Your Listing Issues
Seeing negative reviews or comments about your property stings. It’s easy to get defensive. But the best hosts have a simple mindset: Don’t dwell on it, deal with it.
Acknowledge the Feedback (Even if it Hurts)
Your first step is to take your ego out of the equation. If one guest took the time to mention a problem, others likely thought the same thing but never said a word. Even complaints that seem incorrect can highlight a gap in communication or guest expectation.
Take the feedback seriously. Think of it not as an attack but as free advice on how to improve your business. This is your chance to turn a negative into a major positive.
Take Action and Document Everything
Now it’s time to fix the actual problem. If the issue is an uncomfortable bed, research universally loved mattresses and buy a new one. This directly improves the quality of your guest’s stay.
If guests complain about slow Wi-Fi, call your internet provider to upgrade your plan. Then, run a speed test and take a screenshot as proof. Whatever the fix is, update your listing description to highlight the improvement and show you listened.
| Step | Action | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Acknowledge | Review guest feedback without emotion. | Understand the root cause of the problem from the guest’s perspective. |
| 2. Act | Implement a concrete solution. | Fix the physical or informational issue at your property. |
| 3. Document | Keep receipts and take photos or screenshots. | Create a record of your actions for your own files and for support. |
| 4. Communicate | Contact Airbnb Support with your proof. | Show you are a proactive host and request a review of the issue. |
Communicate with Airbnb Support
Once you’ve made the fix, contact Airbnb support. Tell them you saw the listing issue and explain exactly what you did to correct it. Send them your proof, like a mattress receipt or the Wi-Fi speed test screenshot.
Then, ask them directly if the issue has negatively affected your listing’s visibility. This shows you are a serious host who cares about the guest experience. It also lets you know where you stand.
Real-Life Examples: It’s Not Always What You Think
Listing issues can come from unexpected places. They aren’t always tied to a bad review from a guest who stayed. Here are a couple of situations we personally handled.
The “Five Kittens” Cancellation Issue
We once had a guest book who then messaged us saying they were bringing five kittens. Our listing is pet-friendly on a case-by-case basis, but we do not allow cats. We politely explained we weren’t a good fit and suggested they find another place.
We offered a full refund if they canceled. The guest canceled and got their refund. But we still got a listing issue for “encouraging a guest to cancel.”
The guest never stayed with us, but because our conversation was scanned by AI, we got flagged. I reached out to Airbnb support, explained the situation calmly, and asked how we should have handled it. They agreed we did nothing wrong but confirmed we should avoid using the word “cancel.”
The “Confusing Check-in” Issue
Another time, a guest gave us four stars overall but two stars for the check-in experience. She found the instructions to use the back door confusing, even though it’s closer to parking. I immediately revised our check-in instructions to be crystal clear.
I contacted the guest to apologize and ask for more specific feedback, though she never replied. I also notified Airbnb that I improved the check-in details. This issue is still on our account months later, which shows how unpredictable the system can be.
The Biggest Listing Issue of All
Here’s the biggest lesson in all of this. If all your bookings come from Airbnb, that is the single biggest listing issue you have. You are completely dependent on one platform.
What happens if your listing gets suspended because of something out of your control? Your entire business could vanish overnight. The most important thing you can do is diversify where your bookings come from.
Building a direct booking website gives you control over your business. It allows you to build a brand, communicate directly with guests, and avoid platform fees and algorithm penalties. This is a critical part of a sustainable property management strategy.
If your listing issues are tied to visibility or low bookings, it’s worth reviewing your Airbnb Listing Title too. A strong, keyword-rich title can help boost your search ranking and attract the right guests. Check out our post on Airbnb Listing Title Tips to pair with today’s strategy—fixing hidden listing issues plus optimizing your title is a one-two punch for getting back to booked.
Key Takeaways
Airbnb is a business, and every feature on its platform is there for a reason. This section for Airbnb listing issues is not something you can ignore. It’s a direct look into how the Airbnb algorithm views your property based on real guest data.
Don’t get discouraged if you find a problem. Instead, use it as an opportunity to improve your property and your hosting. By proactively checking for and fixing your Airbnb listing issues, you’ll show Airbnb you’re a top-tier host who deserves to be at the top of the search results.
Many listing issues start with guest feedback about missing basics. The fastest way to avoid those complaints? Make sure your property is fully stocked. Download our Airbnb Essentials Checklist to cover every must-have item for your rental, prevent common complaints, and start earning the kind of reviews that keep your listing issues tab clean.
Keep Learning with Us
Your hosting journey doesn’t stop here! 🎉 Whether you’re looking for the tools we personally use to run our rentals or want to dive deeper into strategies that make hosting more profitable and enjoyable, we’ve got you covered. Head over to Thanks For Visiting to learn more and explore our favorite trusted tools, free resources, and next steps for growing your hosting business.
Happy Hosting!
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