Whether you’re a new host or a seasoned pro, earning badges on Airbnb is a way to stand out from the crowd. These badges highlight your dedication and professionalism and play a large role in attracting more guests to your property. Badges, like the coveted Airbnb Guest Favorite Badge or the Superhost Badge, offer more than bragging rights. They can improve your reputation, boost your visibility on the platform, and even increase your income. This guide explores the most important Airbnb badges, how to earn and maintain them, and why they’re essential for your success as a host.
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Why Airbnb Badges Matter for Hosts
Badges are a trust signal for guests. They show that as a host, you consistently deliver great experiences. Badges demonstrate to potential guests that you’re reliable and professional, whether it’s your commitment to cleanliness, excellent communication, or the overall quality of your property.
For hosts, earning Airbnb badges can:
- Improve your listing’s search rankings.
- Boost your chances of receiving bookings.
- Establish credibility and trust among guests.
- Help differentiate your property in a competitive market.
Now, let’s take a deep dive into some of the key badges you can earn and the steps to qualify for them.
The Airbnb Guest Favorite Badge
What is it?
The Airbnb Guest Favorite Badge is a mark of excellence awarded to listings that consistently impress guests. This badge reflects a consistently high guest satisfaction rating.
How do you earn it?
- Maintain Great Reviews: Keep your average rating above 4.9 stars. Additionally, you’ll need at least 5 reviews before you can qualify.
- Timely Communication: Respond to guest inquiries promptly. Airbnb algorithms favor hosts with fast response times.
- Offer Outstanding Hospitality: Go above and beyond to meet your guests’ needs and exceed expectations.
- Low Cancellation Rate: Maintain a less than 1% host cancellation rate.
Benefits of the Guest Favorite Badge
Earning this badge boosts your listing’s appeal to new guests. Listings with this badge catch the eye of prospective bookers and build trust, making it easier to secure more bookings.
Superhost Status
What is a Superhost?
Superhost status is one of the most well-known and coveted accolades on Airbnb. It’s given to top-performing Airbnb hosts who demonstrate exceptional commitment to providing high-quality experiences for their guests.
What are the Airbnb Superhost Requirements?
- Response Rate: Maintain a 90% response rate or higher.
- High Ratings: Achieve and keep an average rating of 4.8 or above.
- Low Cancellation Rate: Cancel fewer than 1% of bookings, except in extenuating circumstances.
- Complete a Minimum Number of Stays: Have at least 10 stays or reservations totaling 100 nights.
Why become a Superhost on Airbnb?
Having the Superhost Badge increases your listing’s visibility in search results, attracts more guests, and can even lead to rewards (like a $100 Airbnb coupon if you continue maintaining Superhost Status for four consecutive quarters).
Airbnb Verified Listing
What is an Airbnb Verified listing?
An Airbnb Verified Listing is a listing page that has been digitally inspected and verified to ensure it meets certain quality standards. This basically means that your property is verified as being a real rental unit at the location you claim.
How do you get your listing verified on Airbnb?
To have your listing verified, you must submit a request for verification through your hosting dashboard. You’ll likely need to include items like photos, videos, documentation, and sometimes an attestation.
Benefits of having an Airbnb Verified Listing
- Improved Visibility: Verified listings are given priority in search results, increasing their visibility to potential guests.
- Guest Trust: The verification process adds credibility to your listing, giving guests confidence that they are booking a legitimate and trustworthy property.
- Higher Booking Rates: With improved visibility and guest trust, verified listings tend to have higher booking rates compared to non-verified listings.
Airbnb.org Supporter badge
Apart from Superhost and Verified badges, there is also the Airbnb.org Supporter badge. This badge is given to hosts who open their homes to those in need during times of crisis or natural disasters.
How do you get the Airbnb.org Supporter badge?
To receive this badge, hosts must join Airbnb.org and list their properties for free stays for displaced individuals or families during times of need. Alternatively, hosts can donate a percentage of their payouts.
Benefits of being an Airbnb.org Supporter
- Making a Difference: As an Airbnb.org Supporter, you have the opportunity to make a positive impact on those in need by providing a safe place to stay during difficult times.
- Recognition: By displaying the Airbnb.org Supporter badge on your listing, you are recognized for your efforts and contributions toward helping those in need.
- Community Support: By opening your home to those in need, you are also supporting the Airbnb community and promoting a sense of solidarity among hosts.
- Tax Deductions: In some cases, hosts may be eligible for tax deductions for offering their properties as free stays through Airbnb.org.
Tips for Earning and Maintaining Airbnb Badges
While earning these badges can take dedication, maintaining them sometimes takes even more effort. Here are a few actionable tips to help you qualify and keep your badges:
1. Communicate well
Respond promptly to inquiries and concerns. The Airbnb website simplifies this through automated messaging tools, but setting up your own clear, friendly, and consistent communication style can set you apart.
2. Prioritize cleanliness
Post-pandemic, guests expect the highest of hygiene standards. Make sure your property meets Airbnb’s cleaning standards and invest in professional cleaning services.
3. Go above and beyond
Small gestures, like welcome baskets or personalized recommendations, go a long way toward creating 5-star experiences. A simple thank-you note or prompt follow-up can leave a lasting impression.
4. Offer flexible booking
Consider allowing flexible check-in times or cancellations to accommodate a variety of guest needs without compromising your calendar efficiency.
5. Use tools to automate workflow
Managing multiple listings while juggling guest communication and calendars can be a headache. Platforms like Host Tools optimize these tasks, promising you stay organized and consistently provide high-quality hosting.
How Host Tools Can Help You Achieve Badge-Worthy Hosting
Host Tools make it easier than ever to manage your properties. Here’s how they can help turn your responsibilities on autopilot:
- Automated Review Requests: Never miss an opportunity to gain guest feedback to achieve higher ratings.
- Calendar Syncing: Avoid double bookings with synchronized calendars across Airbnb, VRBO, and other platforms.
- Message Automation: Respond to guest messages or bookings faster with pre-scheduled, customizable templates.
- Intelligent Pricing: Optimize your pricing to stay competitive and maximize income.
Using such tools gives you ample time to focus on hospitality, ensuring the quality and experience needed to earn badges like the Superhost or Airbnb Guest Favorite.
Final Thoughts
Earning badges, whether it’s the Airbnb Guest Favorite Badge, Superhost status, or others, is a fantastic way to elevate your hosting game. Badges boost your credibility, attract more guests, and improve your revenue potential.
If you’re new to hosting or juggling multiple properties, tools like Host Tools can make your business more manageable. Start today and unlock the full potential of your listings.
Host Tools provides an automated, unified calendar for short-term rental hosts, allowing you to seamlessly list on all major channels. Start your free trial today!