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On Airbnb, guest reviews are the cornerstone of your reputation. They shape how travelers perceive your property, long before they even set foot inside. A great review can spark a wave of bookings, boost trust, and push you up in Airbnb search rankings. But on the flip side, a single negative review can do serious damage. And if that review turns out to be unfair or malicious, then it’s time to take action.
Give your guest an experience they’ll remember and drive more 5-star reviews.
Get startedReceiving an unjustified 1-star rating is every host’s nightmare. Because on Airbnb your overall rating isn’t just a vanity metric. It directly affects your listing’s visibility, your booking rate, and even your Superhost status. Unfortunately, many hosts only find out after the fact that there are legitimate ways to defend themselves.
In this article, Bassel (founder and CEO of Nowistay) explains in detail when Airbnb can delete a review, how to write a credible and structured removal request, and which free tools you can use to save time and maximize your chances of success. He also shares real-world examples and message templates you can easily customize before reaching out to Airbnb.
Airbnb runs on trust. And that trust is largely built through guest reviews. These ratings and comments directly impact your:
Airbnb considers an average rating above 4.8 to be excellent.
Between 4.3 and 4.7? You’re underperforming.
Below 4.2? You risk suspension or even delisting.
What most hosts don’t realize is that even a 3-star review (which may seem neutral) is already considered bad by Airbnb’s algorithm. Just one such review can drag your average down, especially if you don’t have many bookings yet.
An unfair or disproportionate review can have an immediate financial impact. That’s why it’s essential to know when and how to act.
Airbnb officially states that reviews won’t be removed just because a host disagrees with them. And that’s true.
However, Airbnb does recognize five specific cases in which a guest review can be taken down. These are outlined in Airbnb’s Content Policy and Terms of Service.
If your situation fits one of these five cases, you have a legitimate reason to request removal.
Any comment with insults, aggressive judgments, sexist, racist, homophobic, or defamatory content can be removed immediately.
Real example: “Dishonest host, disgusting place. It’s a disgrace this is even allowed.”
Message to send: Hello, the review received contains offensive language and does not reflect a guest experience but a personal attack. Please remove it in accordance with your content policy.
Airbnb strictly prohibits guests from sharing the exact address, full name, or contact details of the host or property.
Real example: “The apartment is at 48 Rue Jean Moulin, intercom Durand, 3rd floor.”
Message to send: Hello, this review violates Airbnb’s privacy policy by sharing a full address. Please remove it.
Only guests who physically stayed at your place can leave a review. If the guest canceled or never checked in, they have no right to comment.
Real example: “I didn’t stay there. I canceled when I saw the neighborhood. Honestly, it didn’t look appealing.”
Message to send: Hello, the reviewer never stayed at the property. This violates Airbnb’s review policy. Please remove the review.
If a guest threatens to leave a bad review unless you give them a refund or other advantage, this is a valid reason for removal.
Message received: “If you don’t return my deposit, I’ll leave a 1-star review.”‍
Message to Airbnb: Hello, I’m forwarding this message, which clearly shows a threat. The review followed this exchange. Please remove it.
Airbnb may delete a review that appears to be left by a fake account, a competitor, or someone not associated with the reservation.
Example: An account with no profile picture or activity, leaving a 1-star review with no signs of contact or check-in.
Message to Airbnb: Hello, I suspect review manipulation. This profile shows no normal activity, and the review is inconsistent. Please investigate.
Follow these steps to submit a formal request to Airbnb:
Airbnb usually responds within 24–72 hours. If the violation is clear, the review may be removed immediately. Otherwise, a moderator will make the final decision.
Nowistay has created a free online tool that helps you:
Just paste the review you received, add a bit of context. And the AI handles the rest.
👉 Try our free AI tool here: https://bit.ly/delete-airbnb-review
Many negative reviews can be prevented with the right proactive approach. Here are a few key prevention tactics:
Nowistay’s AI co-host can handle all of this for you. It analyzes your bookings, detects risks, sends the right messages, and manages friction points.
A bad Airbnb review isn’t always deserved. And it isn’t always final. As a host, you have the right to defend your reputation when it’s unfairly attacked.
But to do so, you need to know Airbnb’s rules, act quickly, and present the right arguments. This article gives you all the basics to succeed.
And with the help of Nowistay’s AI tools, you no longer have to face review injustice alone.
Protect your reputation. Secure your bookings. And show Airbnb that you’re a professional, attentive, and reliable host.
Take advantage of our welcome guide + AI assistant today!
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