Wondered how to get more reviews on Airbnb? Positive reviews, naturally, since, besides increasing your conversions and sales, they help to build credibility and trust. These testimonials also help to boost your reputation, which in turn adds to your trust levels. As a marketing tool, reviews are also valuable for scaling your Airbnb business. But the reality is you can’t do everything yourself. This is where hiring a virtual Airbnb assistant can be crucial to the success of your short-term rental (Airbnb) business.
Once your property reaches consistent bookings, doing it all alone is no longer realistic. Your Airbnb virtual assistant can handle guest messaging, check-ins, calendar syncing, cleaning coordination, and follow-up review requests, letting you focus on improving your guest experience instead of constantly reacting to problems.
But how do you get more reviews on Airbnb? And more so, how can a virtual assistant help?
What is Airbnb?
Airbnb is a peer-to-peer travel and accommodation platform founded in 2008 by Brian Chesky, Joe Gebbia, and Nathan Blecharczyk. This digital platform allows guests to book short-term stays in homes, apartments, or boutique lodgings. The original idea came after Brian Chesky and Joe Gebbia couldn’t afford the rent on their San Francisco apartment, so they rented airbeds in their living room to people visiting the city attending a conference.
By 2011, the company had attracted $120 million in funding from Sequoia Capital, an American venture capital firm headquartered in Menlo Park, California. This seed capital investment boosted the value of Airbnb to above $1 billion. Also, its market share then exceeded 60% of the short-term rental segment (Source: Statista, 2024). And the success of this model was its fresh approach: a cheaper cost structure than your typical hotels, well spread out globally, which benefited both the host and the traveler. More so, for investors, it allowed them to scale their business without owning the properties themselves. And now, there are around 4 million Airbnb hosts spread over 240 countries and regions. Today, Airbnb hosts over 7 million listings in 220+ countries and territories, welcoming more than 400 million guest arrivals annually (Airbnb Company Data, 2025).
Airbnb Review Policy: What Hosts Must Avoid
The review process on Airbnb is designed to protect the integrity of the platform by ensuring that feedback reflects a genuine stay, experience, or accommodation. According to Airbnb’s official Review Policy, “reviews must be unbiased, contain relevant information reflecting the actual experience of the reviewer during the stay, service, or experience, and follow our Content Policy.” One of the key rules: no incentives or manipulation. Reviews may not be provided or withheld in exchange for something of value, such as a discount, refund, reciprocal review, or promise not to take adverse action.
Hosts who comply with these guidelines demonstrate higher trust, which is favourable from both a guest’s point of view and in Airbnb’s algorithm/visibility mechanics. Conversely, misuse of the review system (for example, accepting fake reservations in exchange for reviews, or asking guests to leave a positive review as a condition of staying) can lead to removal of reviews or sanctions from Airbnb.
Avoid doing the following:
- Offering a discount, gift, or a complimentary stay in exchange for a review.
- Asking for a positive review specifically (instead, a request for honest feedback is acceptable).
- Leaving a review yourself via a second account, or coordinating false stays for reviews.
- Trying to edit or remove a review after the 14-day window, unless it violates policy.
The Review Lifecycle
Understanding how Airbnb’s review process works, what we’ll call the review lifecycle, is essential to designing an effective strategy for getting more and better reviews. Once a guest checks out of your listing, a 14-day window begins during which both guest and host can submit a review. If both parties submit reviews within that window, the reviews are published simultaneously so neither sees the other’s feedback first. If only one party submits (or neither submits) within the 14 days, the review is published after the window closes.
For hosts, this timeline means: every stay triggers a countdown. If you leave a review promptly, you demonstrate engagement, which Airbnb’s algorithm views positively in terms of listing credibility and guest trust. Conversely, leaving it to the last minute or not participating erodes that meta-signal. The lifecycle, therefore, gives hosts a process opportunity: it isn’t just about the quality of stay, but about timing, follow-through, and guest communication.
A virtual assistant (VA) plays a pivotal role in optimizing this review lifecycle by ensuring no opportunities are missed within that 14-day window. Your VA can monitor checkout dates, schedule automated follow-ups, and track which guests have or haven’t left reviews, freeing you from manual reminders and administrative oversight. By managing timing, message tone, and consistency, a skilled VA helps sustain a steady flow of reviews while maintaining professionalism and alignment with Airbnb’s policies, ultimately boosting both your response rate and overall host credibility.
3-Step Review Workflow (VA-Managed)
Before diving into the steps, it’s helpful to remember that a virtual assistant (VA) can be a strategic asset in managing this process, not just “helping out,” but executing a consistent workflow that optimizes times, messaging, and follow-up. Automating or semi-automating key messages, aligning them with the lifecycle above, and tracking guest responses are core to scaling your host operations while maintaining review volume and quality.
Step 1: Prepare the Guest Before Checkout
Objective: Set expectations, foster gratitude, reduce negative surprises, and prime the guest for a positive review.
Examples:
- Example A: “Dear [Guest Name], we hope you’ve enjoyed your stay! Just a friendly reminder: Checkout is tomorrow at 10 a.m. Please let us know if there is anything we can address before you depart.”
- Example B: “Hi [Guest Name], thank you so much for choosing our home. If you noticed anything during your stay that we could improve (fresh towels, extra mugs, stronger WiFi), we’d love your feedback before you head out.”
- Example C: “Just a small note: We’ll be sending you a message after checkout if everything went well. We hope you might consider leaving feedback. Thanks for staying with us!”
Step 2: Thank and Prompt (Within 24 Hours)
Objective: Immediately after checkout (ideally within 24 hours), send a message expressing gratitude and inviting an optional review. The goal is to strike while the guest’s experience is fresh.
Examples:
- Example A: “Hi [Guest Name], thank you for staying with us! We hope your trip home was smooth. If you enjoyed your stay, would you mind taking a moment to leave feedback on Airbnb? It helps us and future guests.”
- Example B: “Thanks for booking our place, [Guest Name]. Your feedback means a lot and helps us keep improving. Here’s the review link [insert link]. Safe travels!”
- Example C: “We truly appreciated hosting you and hope you had a great time. If you’d be willing to share a brief review, we’d be so grateful. Here’s how: [link]. We hope to host you again in the future!”
Step 3: Reminder Before Review Window Closes
Objective: If the guest hasn’t yet submitted a review by Day 10–12 of the 14-day window, send a gentle reminder. Avoid pressure or incentives; remain host-friendly and respectful.
Examples:
- Example A: “Hi [Guest Name], just a quick reminder: the review window on Airbnb closes in a few days. If you have a moment to share your thoughts, we’d really appreciate it.”
- Example B: “Hope you arrived home safely! In case you hadn’t yet left feedback, the 14-day review period ends soon. Your thoughts help us continue offering great stays.”
- Example C: “Hello again [Guest Name], we enjoyed having you as a guest. We just wanted to let you know that the review period will close shortly. If you have feedback to share, we’d love to hear it.”
Role of the Virtual Assistant
An Airbnb virtual assistant can oversee the entire review process with precision and consistency. They can track guest checkout dates, schedule or automate personalized follow-up messages, and monitor which guests have submitted reviews. Your VA can also maintain a simple dashboard showing review rates, response times, and common guest feedback themes, helping you identify trends and areas for improvement. By following this structured 3-step workflow, your VA ensures that reviews are gathered proactively, communication stays professional, and your Airbnb listing maintains a steady flow of authentic, high-quality guest feedback that strengthens your reputation and visibility on the platform.
Handling Negative Reviews Professionally
Even the most experienced Airbnb hosts receive an occasional negative review. What separates top-rated hosts from the rest isn’t avoiding criticism; it’s how they manage it. A calm, timely, and professional response can turn a poor review into proof of your commitment to outstanding service. Your goal is to show future guests reading your listing that you take feedback seriously and strive to improve. Use Airbnb’s “Leave a public response” feature to acknowledge the guest’s experience, clarify factual details when needed, and outline what you’ve done to resolve the issue. Keep your reply short, polite, and focused on solutions rather than excuses.
Behind the scenes, involve your virtual assistant (VA) or operations team to document and escalate any valid complaints. Your VA can maintain a Review Tracker to log issues, categorize them (e.g., cleanliness, check-in, amenities), and follow up on corrective actions. Regular review of these reports helps identify recurring themes that may harm your rating or search placement. When patterns emerge, adjust your Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), update photos, revise descriptions, or improve your cleaning checklist to prevent repeats. Over time, this approach strengthens your reputation and ranking on Airbnb.
What Not to Do
- Don’t ignore a review or attempt to have it removed unless it clearly violates Airbnb’s Review Policy.
- Don’t respond defensively or accuse the guest of being wrong. Future guests will judge your professionalism.
- Don’t offer incentives (refunds, discounts, free nights) in exchange for changing or removing a review; this breaches Airbnb’s terms.
- Don’t over-solicit reviews by offering rewards or repeatedly messaging guests; let reviews come naturally through excellent service.
Example Scripts and Escalation Steps
Public response (visible on your listing):
“Hi [Guest Name], thank you for taking the time to share your experience. I’m sorry to hear about [specific issue]. We’ve already reviewed our process and made improvements to ensure this doesn’t happen again. We appreciate your honesty and hope to host you again under better circumstances.”
Private message (sent via your VA):
“Hello [Guest Name], thank you for your feedback. We’re sorry your experience didn’t meet expectations. If you’re open to discussing this further, we’d love to understand what went wrong and how we can improve for future guests. Your feedback helps us get better.”
Virtual Assistant Escalation Workflow:
- Log the review in your Host Review Tracker.
- Tag it by issue type (cleanliness, communication, amenities, etc.).
- Assign corrective action (cleaning audit, amenity restock, guest communication script update).
- Schedule a follow-up review after changes are implemented.
Internal Improvement Loop:
At the end of each month, your virtual assistant should compile insights from all 3-star or lower reviews. Review these themes, update SOPs, refresh your listing, and adjust automated guest messaging. Consistent tracking and refinement signal reliability to guests, and help your Airbnb stay at the top of search results through strong performance metrics. But don’t forget the practice stuff, such as your photos and listing information.
Tips on Photos and Listing Quality
Visual quality and listing accuracy play a significant role in guests’ expectations and satisfaction, which in turn affects reviews and ratings. Treat your listing like a product page: clarity, realism, and professionalism matter.
Poor photographs or inaccurate descriptions lead to guest disappointment, which often surfaces in reviews (lower star ratings, negative commentary). High-quality photos help set the right expectations, attract better-fitting guests, and increase review quality as guests feel their experience matched what they saw. Consider booking a professional photographer or using high-quality smartphone images with good lighting, wide angles, and showing all key spaces (bedroom, bathroom, living area, kitchen).
A photo checklist your VA can manage might include:
- Exterior shot of property (daylight) with address number visible
- Interior living area showing actual décor and highlighting unique selling point (sea-view, fireplace, workspace)
- Kitchen, including utensils, appliances, and a clean layout
- Bedroom with a made bed, fresh linens, and ambient lighting
- Bathroom with toiletries, cleanliness, and lighting
- “What’s included” shot of extras (coffee station, welcome basket, board games) if applicable.
- Document these as part of your onboarding + periodic re-shoot (every 12-18 months or when you refresh décor).
The listing text should be accurate and reinforce the visuals: mention amenities, nearby attractions, check-in process, and house rules clearly (which helps reduce guest discomfort or surprises). Since guests often leave reviews based on how expectations were met or not, accuracy builds trust. Your VA can perform a quarterly audit: review guest feedback for photo/comments mismatches (e.g., guest said WiFi was slow though listing said “high-speed” → update listing accordingly). This ongoing alignment between listing, guest expectation, and delivery shows you’re operating a professional rental business, which supports your authority and credibility.
Clear Cancellation Policy Clarity and Sample Wording
Guests value clarity and predictability. A well-written cancellation policy reduces confusion, decreases stress for both host and guest, and helps you avoid last-minute negative reviews due to misunderstood terms. Having your policy prominently visible in the listing and reiterated in your pre-arrival message builds transparency and trust.
When drafting your policy wording, use plain language, avoid legal jargon, and make refund/deduction conditions explicit (when possible). For example:
Sample wording: “Flexible cancellation: full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before check-in. After that, 50% refund up to 7 days before, then no refund if cancelled within 48 hours of check-in.”
It’s essential to be on the same page as Airbnb regarding cancellations; they have guidelines they expect all hosts are expected to follow. If your policies don’t align with theirs, you’re going against what they’ve put in place for everyone’s benefit (and could get yourself kicked off the platform). And don’t ignore your local regulations (as Airbnb’s policy may vary by region and listing type). Providing clear terms reduces guest uncertainty, lowers complaints, and ultimately increases positive review potential because the guest feels informed and treated fairly.
How to Get More Reviews on Airbnb
Airbnb is a platform that allows hosts to rent their properties to travelers seeking short-term accommodations, from single rooms to entire homes. It’s an ideal solution for guests who want a personalized, flexible experience rather than staying in traditional hotels. For hosts, Airbnb’s built-in review system allows guests to rate both the property and the host, creating a transparent feedback loop that influences future bookings.
Getting five-star reviews is crucial because high ratings improve your listing’s visibility in search results, attract more bookings, and build trust with potential guests. Beyond simply asking for reviews, hosts can actively encourage them by providing an exceptional experience: clean, well-maintained spaces, clear communication, fast responses to queries, and attention to small details that make a stay memorable.
Additionally, you can implement a review-focused workflow ideally managed by a virtual assistant that ensures timely, professional messages are sent before and after checkout, gently reminding guests to leave feedback without violating Airbnb’s policies. A well-managed process, combined with quality service, not only increases the likelihood of receiving reviews but also improves the overall rating consistency, which can positively impact your Airbnb Superhost eligibility and guest trust.
Conclusion: How to Get More Reviews on Airbnb
Managing and growing a successful Airbnb business goes far beyond listing a property online. Positive reviews are the lifeblood of your listing’s visibility, credibility, and booking potential. By prioritizing guest experience, maintaining high-quality photos and listings, enforcing clear policies, and responding professionally to all feedback, both positive and negative, you create a system that naturally encourages reviews and builds trust.
Leveraging a skilled Virtual Assistant (VA) to manage communications, follow-up messages, and review tracking ensures you never miss an opportunity to capture guest feedback. With a consistent, professional workflow in place, you can focus on scaling your Airbnb business while maintaining exceptional guest satisfaction.
Ready to boost your Airbnb ratings and simplify your hosting process? Book a consultation with our outsourcing experts at Aristo Sourcing today and discover how a dedicated Virtual Assistant can help you manage your short-term rental business efficiently, maximize positive reviews, and grow your bookings effortlessly.
