How to Get More 5-Star Reviews on Airbnb

Reviews are the currency of Airbnb. They determine your search ranking, your Superhost status, and whether a potential guest books your place or keeps scrolling. Reviews are estimated to account for roughly 25% of Airbnb’s search ranking signal — higher ratings and recent positive reviews directly boost your visibility. One study found that each additional star in your average rating corresponds to a 5-9% increase in booking demand.

But earning consistent 5-star reviews isn’t about perfection — it’s about managing expectations and exceeding them at key moments. In 2026, the Guest Favorites badge (requiring 4.9+) has become even more important than Superhost for driving visibility and bookings. Here’s the playbook that top hosts use to earn both.

How Airbnb’s Review System Works

Understanding the system helps you optimize for it:

• Guests rate you on overall experience (1-5 stars) plus six categories: cleanliness, accuracy, check-in, communication, location, and value
• Your overall rating is what appears on your listing and affects ranking
• You need a 4.8+ average to maintain Superhost status
• Reviews are double-blind — neither party sees the other’s review until both are submitted (or 14 days pass)
• Guests have 14 days to leave a review after checkout
• Airbnb uses NLP (natural language processing) to analyze the text of your reviews — not just star ratings. Positive sentiment words like “spotless,” “amazing host,” and “exceeded expectations” contribute to your ranking signal
• Recent reviews are weighted more heavily — a string of 5-stars from last month matters more than perfect ratings from a year ago. The algorithm rewards consistency and recency

The math problem:

A single 3-star review can tank your average. If you have twenty 5-star reviews and one 3-star, your average drops to 4.9. Two 3-star reviews brings you to 4.8. This is why consistency matters.

The Expectation Gap: Why 4-Star Reviews Happen

Most 4-star reviews aren’t from bad stays. They’re from expectation mismatches. The guest expected something slightly different from what they got. Your listing optimization determines what guests expect — and accuracy starts with how you write your description.

Common expectation gaps:

• Photos look better than reality — over-edited or misleading angles
• Description oversells — “spacious” apartment that’s actually cozy
• Missing information — no mention of street noise, stairs, or parking distance
• Amenities don’t work as expected — slow WiFi, broken coffee maker

The fix: radical honesty in your listing

The best-reviewed listings don’t hide their flaws — they acknowledge them. A listing that says “cozy studio, perfect for solo travelers” sets the right expectation. One that says “beautiful spacious apartment” for the same studio creates disappointment.

Be honest about:

• The true size of your space
• Noise levels (street, neighbors, nearby construction)
• Stairs or accessibility challenges
• Distance to attractions (“10-minute drive” not “close to downtown”)
• Anything guests commonly mention in reviews

The 5-Star Guest Experience Framework

Phase 1: Before Arrival

The guest experience starts when they book — not when they arrive.

Booking confirmation (within 1 hour): Send a warm, personalized message:

“Hi [Name]! Thanks for booking — I’m excited to host you. I’ll send you check-in details a few days before your stay. In the meantime, feel free to ask me anything about the area!”

Pre-arrival (2-3 days before): Send detailed check-in instructions with:

• Step-by-step directions (not just an address)
• Parking information
• Check-in code or key location
• WiFi name and password
• Your phone number for emergencies

Pro tip: Create a digital guidebook (use Notion or Google Docs) with restaurant recommendations, local tips, and house guide. Include the link in your pre-arrival message.

Phase 2: Arrival Day

First impressions set the tone for the entire stay.

The “wow moment” checklist:

• Space is spotless (no exceptions)
• Temperature is comfortable (pre-set the thermostat)
• Lights are on (or smart lights set to warm welcome mode)
• A small welcome gift is waiting:
  • Local snacks or treats
  • A bottle of wine or sparkling water
  • A handwritten welcome card
  • Fresh flowers on the counter

These small touches cost $5-15 but have an outsized impact on reviews.

Check-in message (30 minutes after arrival):

“Hey [Name]! Hope you found everything smoothly. Let me know if you need anything at all — I’m here to help. Enjoy your stay!”

This does two things: it shows you care, and it gives them a channel to voice concerns before they become review complaints.

Phase 3: During the Stay

Mid-stay check-in (day 2 for stays 3+ nights):

“Hi [Name]! Just checking in — hope everything’s going great. Is there anything I can help with?”

This is your chance to fix issues before checkout. If the WiFi is slow, you can troubleshoot. If they can’t find extra blankets, you can direct them. Small problems resolved during the stay rarely show up in reviews.

Response time matters:

• Aim to respond within 30 minutes during waking hours
• Set up automated responses for overnight messages
• Download the Airbnb app and enable notifications

Phase 4: Checkout & Follow-up

Checkout morning:

“Good morning! Checkout is at [time]. Safe travels, and thank you so much for being a wonderful guest. If you enjoyed your stay, I’d truly appreciate a review — it helps my small hosting business more than you’d know!”

24 hours after checkout:

“Hi [Name]! It was a pleasure hosting you. I just left you a 5-star review. If you have a moment, I’d be so grateful if you could share your experience too. Thanks again!”

Why this works:

• You’ve already left your review (removes the fear of retaliation)
• You’re asking specifically (guests often forget)
• You’re expressing genuine gratitude (not demanding)

The Six Categories: How to Score 5 Stars in Each

1. Cleanliness (most important)

This is the #1 factor in guest satisfaction. Period.

• Hire a professional cleaner — even if you’re doing it yourself now, your standards might not match guest expectations
• Use a cleaning checklist — every turn, every time
• Pay attention to details: baseboards, light switches, under furniture, inside the oven
• Fresh linens always — invest in multiple sets of high-quality white sheets
• Scent matters — a clean-smelling space feels cleaner. Use a light, neutral scent

2. Accuracy

Your listing should be a perfect mirror of reality.

• Photos should match current state (update after renovations or changes). Keep your photos current — see our photo guide for when and how to reshoot
• Amenity list should be current (remove broken or missing items immediately)
• Description should be honest about both positives and limitations
• Test your own listing — stay a night yourself and note any discrepancies

3. Check-in

Make it foolproof:

• Self check-in (keypad or lockbox) is preferred by most guests
• Provide photo-based instructions (screenshot each step)
• Have a backup plan if technology fails
• Be available by phone during check-in window

4. Communication

• Respond within 1 hour (Airbnb tracks this)
• Be proactive, not reactive
• Use a warm, friendly tone
• Anticipate common questions in your guidebook
• Never leave a message unanswered

5. Location

You can’t change your location, but you can frame it positively:

• Highlight what’s walkable
• Mention transit options
• Note quiet street vs. lively neighborhood
• Be transparent about any location downsides

6. Value

Value doesn’t mean cheap — it means the experience matched or exceeded the price.

• Price competitively for your area
• Add amenities that don’t cost much but feel premium (quality coffee, good toiletries, Netflix)
• Maintain everything in excellent condition
• The welcome gift helps justify the price

Diagnosing Your Weakest Category

Check your category breakdown in Airbnb’s analytics dashboard. Your overall ranking is dragged down by your weakest category more than it’s lifted by your strongest.

• If accuracy is 4.7 while everything else is 4.9, focus all energy on accuracy — that’s your bottleneck
• Different guest types weight different categories: families prioritize cleanliness, business travelers prioritize communication, couples prioritize location and accuracy
• Look for patterns in text reviews that correlate with lower category scores — guests often explain their reasoning in words even when they don’t elaborate in stars
• Compare your category scores against Guest Favorites requirements (4.9+ across all six) to identify exactly where you fall short

Handling Negative Reviews

Even the best hosts get occasional negative reviews. How you respond matters — both for the relationship and for future guests reading your responses.

Public response strategy:

• Thank them for the feedback
• Acknowledge the specific issue
• Explain what you’ve done to fix it
• Keep it brief and professional — no arguing
• Respond within 24-48 hours — quick responses show future guests you’re attentive and engaged

Example response:

“Thank you for your honest feedback, [Name]. I’m sorry the street noise was an issue during your stay. Since your visit, I’ve added a white noise machine and upgraded to double-pane windows. I appreciate you helping me improve the experience for future guests.”

Remember: Your public response is marketing. Future guests read it to judge how you handle problems. A gracious, solution-oriented response to a negative review can actually build more trust than no negative reviews at all.

What NOT to do:

• Don’t get defensive or argumentative
• Don’t blame the guest
• Don’t write long, emotional responses
• Don’t try to get the review removed unless it clearly violates policy

When to request removal:

If a review violates Airbnb’s content policy — irrelevant content, discriminatory language, or retaliatory reviews — you can request removal through the Resolution Center. This should be a last resort, not a first instinct. Focus your energy on earning great reviews rather than fighting bad ones.

The Long Game: Building Review Momentum

Reviews compound. More reviews = higher ranking = more bookings = more reviews.

Strategies for new listings:

• Price 15-20% below market for your first 10 bookings
• Be extra responsive and attentive with early guests
• Consider offering a small welcome upgrade for first guests
• Ask friends or family to book (at a discount) to get initial reviews

Maintaining momentum:

• Never stop improving — update your space seasonally
• Read every review carefully for patterns
• Track your ratings over time
• Celebrate milestones (50 reviews, Superhost badge)

Engineering Review Velocity

The algorithm rewards consistent review flow — a listing that gets 5 reviews per month ranks better than one that got 20 reviews six months ago and none since. Recency and regularity matter.

• Keep minimum stays reasonable to maintain booking cadence. A 7-night minimum reduces your review opportunities versus accepting 2-3 night stays
• During slow seasons, lower prices slightly to maintain booking volume — the reviews are worth more than the discount. See our pricing strategy guide for how to balance revenue with occupancy
• Don’t go dark — even if you travel or take a break, keep your calendar updated and consider opening a few dates per month to maintain review flow
• Target a review rate above 60% — if fewer than half your guests are leaving reviews, your follow-up messaging needs improvement

For a complete guide to earning and maintaining Superhost and Guest Favorites badges, see our Superhost & Guest Favorites guide.

Measure and Improve

Track these metrics monthly:

• Overall star average — target 4.9+
• Review rate — what percentage of guests leave reviews? (50-70% is typical, 80%+ is excellent)
• Category scores — identify your weakest area and focus on improving it
• Review sentiment — what words come up most often?

Going deeper:

• Use Airbnb’s Professional Hosting tools to track category trends over time — look for scores drifting downward before they become a problem
• Read your last 10 reviews and highlight recurring words — these reveal your real strengths and weaknesses as perceived by guests, not as you imagine them
• Benchmark against Guest Favorites requirements — 4.9+ across all six categories. If you’re at 4.8 in value and 5.0 in everything else, you know exactly where to focus
• Track month-over-month review velocity — are you getting more or fewer reviews than last month? A declining trend is an early warning sign

Want to see how your listing compares to top-performing properties in your area? Rank STR analyzes your listing against the factors that drive 5-star reviews — from description accuracy to amenity gaps and competitive positioning. See exactly what to fix first. Try it free — it takes 30 seconds.

The hosts who earn consistent 5-star reviews aren’t perfect. They’re intentional. They think about the guest experience from booking to checkout, and they make every touchpoint count. Reviews also play a major role in how Airbnb’s search algorithm ranks your listing.

Start with one improvement from this guide today. Your next 5-star review is closer than you think.