Airbnb is more competitive than ever, and even good listings can get buried (and even delisted!)

In 2026, your rating isn’t just a meaningless metric—it determines your visibility, your bookings, and your ability to grow a profitable Airbnb portfolio.‍

If you want consistent income and long-term wins in short-term rentals, you need to understand how Airbnb ratings work and what it takes to top the feed in 2026. Let’s break it down—simply and with real data.

Why Your Airbnb Rating is a HUGE Deal (Especially Now)

In many markets, STR supply is growing faster than demand. Guest expectations are rising, too. Small rating changes can make a huge impact on your revenue.

Here’s what the data shows:

• A 0.1 increase in your rating can raise ADR by $3/night, depending on the market.
• Adding Superhost status to that raises ADR by ~$6/night.

A tiny 0.1 bump can add $100–$200/month.

And the top hosts aren’t just doing a little better—they’re absolutely crushing it:

Listings with 4.9–5.0★ enjoy:

• 7.7% higher ADR
• 9.7% higher occupancy
• 18% higher annual revenue

By contrast, hosts sitting at 4.4–4.3 are at risk of removal from Airbnb if they get consecutive low reviews.

And a 4.6–4.7 in a saturated market? That’s the danger zone.

The reality is low competition, high demand markets where a 4.6 wins won't stay that way forever with growing STR supply.

What is a “Good” Airbnb Rating in 2026?

To be the obvious choice for guests, you want to be above average. But being average on Airbnb is no easy feat.

After Airbnb removed 300,000 low-performing listings in 2023, the platform’s average rating shot up.

Current averages:

• 4.81 (listings with <5 reviews)
• 4.85 (5+ reviews)

Where you need to be:

• 4.6–4.7 = Used to be excellent, now it's below average. One 4-star review could get you buried on the feed, especially if you have few reviews.
• 4.8 = Strong, competitive, Superhost potential.
• 4.9+ = Top-tier, the algorithm is obsessed with you, maximum pricing power

In 2026, “good” is not good enough. You have to be consistently exceptional if you want the algorithm to work for you (and not against you).

How Airbnb’s Rating System Actually Works

The truth is most hosts—and almost all guests—misunderstand the rating system.

(Especially the guest who wrote a paragraph raving about your space and then left you 4 stars.)

After every stay, guests rate you in six categories:

1. Cleanliness

One of the biggest revenue drivers.

AirDNA shows that even a 0.1 bump increases revenue per available room (RevPAR) by $2–$3.

Low scores? A fast track to getting shut down.

2. Accuracy

How accurate is your listing and description?

Avoid over-edited photos, misusing AI, or unrealistic staging. Don’t oversell what you can’t deliver.

3. Communication

Great communication is not just about friendliness and tone; it’s also about speed. A 90%+ 24-hour response rate is required for Superhost. Automating your messages is key. Use our free automated messages template to get started.

4. Check-in

Guests want easy, clear, frictionless check-ins.

Self-check-in wins almost every time.

5. Location

You can’t change your location, but you can set expectations clearly.

This rating doesn’t affect Superhost status, but it can influence booking decisions.

6. Value

Do your guests get what they paid for? Guests rate this more harshly on premium listings.

Don’t drop your prices —show guests what makes the space and experience worth it.

The Overall Rating (The One That Matters Most)

The overall rating is not an average of the six categories.

It’s a separate score—and it determines:

• Search ranking
• Superhost eligibility
• Booking conversion
• Visibility

You can ace every category and still lose with a “meh” overall score.

The Host–Guest Rating Mismatch

Using guest ratings makes perfect sense in an experience-driven hospitality industry.

⚠️There’s just one problem: Guests and hosts understand ratings very differently. 

Here’s how guests think ratings work:

• 5★ = Amazing
• 4★ = Great! Would recommend.
• 3★ = Fine
• 2★ = Bad
• 1★ = Awful

To Airbnb, anything below 5★ is negative.

The irony is that when guests give a 4-star review, they’re sometimes prompted to select what stood out for them. So from their perspective,  4-star reviews are good. Maybe even great. But to a host, a 4-star review could tank their rating.

This mismatch is why hosts have to exceed expectations, not just meet them. And that's not to win, that's just to stay afloat.

⚠️ The Risks of Mediocre Airbnb Ratings

If your rating slides or stalls, here’s what you risk:

• Getting buried in search results
• Lower pricing power (no one wants to pay top dollar when the quality isn't guaranteed)
• Losing Superhost/ Guest Favorite badges
• Long recovery time (a few bad reviews can take months of consistent 5★s to overcome)
• Potential removal if you drop below 4.4

How to Actually Improve Your Airbnb Ratings in 2026

Bad reviews happen, even to exceptional hosts. Let's get proactive and look at ways to improve your rating.

By the way, improving ratings isn't meant for hosts with low ratings. The incentive is higher for top hosts.

Data shows a listing going from 4.8 → 4.9 gets a bigger visibility and booking boost than one going from 4.5 → 4.6. Why? Because you’re outperforming other excellent listings.

Here are a few strategies to improve your Airbnb rating.

1. Nail the Basics First

We love showstopping amenities and incredible design—but they don’t fix bad fundamentals.

• Spotless space
• Great mattress + pillows (king-size anyone?)
• Strong Wi-Fi
• Clear check-in
• Fast, friendly communication
• No eyesores like visible cables or clutter.

These matter more than any flashy amenity. And guests complain more when you don't get the basics right.

2. Turn Feedback Into Fixes

Constructive guest reviews are gold, so read them carefully.

If multiple guests complain about the same issue, fix it.

If guests rave about something—double down on it. Use reviews as your audit system.

3. Eyes on the Competition

Keep an eye on top performers in your market. Look at what amenities they offer, what guests love and hate, and what's missing that you can provide.

Find ways to match and one-up them

But don’t be a copycat, differentiate.

4. Match Expectations to Reality

Under-delivering is the fastest path to a 3 or 4★ review.

You want to create a scroll-stopping Airbnb listing, sure. But always be honest about quirks (tight parking, small kitchen, city noise).

Make sure your amazing listing photos actually match the space. Always work on and update your listing, the algorithm loves that.

5. Communicate Like a Friend, Not a Robot

Automate your Airbnb for efficiency, but personalize for warmth.

Check in often, respond quickly, and show genuine care and understanding.

Guests forgive small issues when the host feels present and attentive.

6. Ask for a 5-Star Review (Yes, Literally)

Most guests simply forget to leave a review. Send a message reminding them. 

BUT, don’t just ask for a review. Ask specifically for a 5-star review. It works!

7. Add a bonus or surprise element

Adding something to surprise and delight guests when they arrive is gold. It can be big or small, like a curated welcome basket or a bonus amenity. Try to add thoughtful extras; they earn you grace when small unexpected issues do happen.

8. Turn the Stay Into an Experience

People don’t remember beds—they remember moments.

Think about what your guests will do and add experience-driven features like:

• Hot tub or sauna
• Firepit and outdoor cinema
• Game room or man cave
• Pickleball or putt-putt
• Vibrant outdoor pool area
• Group photo spots and murals
• Play area and games for kids

Fun and lasting memories earn 5-star reviews.

9. Never Stop Learning

Airbnb guests and trends evolve all the time—your listing should too.

Many hosts get bad reviews because their space stopped growing with their guests and their needs.

Embrace the fact that your listings will always be a work in progress.

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