Guide to Leaving Airbnb Experience Reviews

How Airbnb Experience Reviews Really Work — A Guide for Hosts and Guests

This guide is for both new Airbnb Experience Hosts and curious Guests who want to understand how the Airbnb review system really works. Reviews on Airbnb aren’t just a formality — they directly affect a Host’s visibility, bookings, and reputation.

Even well-meaning feedback — like dropping a star, making a vague comment, or answering Airbnb's extra questions without much thought — can hurt a Host’s score and reduce their chances of getting future bookings. Many people don’t realise how easily this happens, or how much it can impact a small business.

I was brought up with the phrase 'If you've nothing good to say; then say nothing at all'. Have we become a society of people who just have to gripe online over the slightest little thing that is out of place or where our lofty expectations were not met? I find it more than a little sad that most people cannot put themselves in other people's shoes for a couple of minutes and try and see things from another perspective. If you are just going to be negative, why leave a review at all?

The information below and advice could also apply to users of Airbnb properties and how you might leave feedback. Although I'm aware that the duel Feedback system there has its own issues where Guest and Host sometimes leave negatives for each other; which is detrimental to both parties. I'm hoping to shed light on the review process for all users in this blog post so please read on if you have a few minutes.

📝 TL;DR – Key Takeaways

• Airbnb's review system affects Host visibility and bookings more than most Guests realise.

• A 4-star review — even with a positive comment — can lower a Host’s average score.

• Airbnb also asks private scoring questions that impact rankings.

• Before reviewing, consider: Was the Experience as described? Did the Host make an effort?

• If you have suggestions, share them privately — and don't knock off stars for small things.

Airbnb Experience Rating System Explained

Understanding how star ratings work (and why they matter)

Many guests don’t realise how Airbnb Experience reviews affect Hosts — even a small drop in your average star rating can push your listing down in Airbnb’s search rankings. This reduced visibility can lead to fewer bookings and, over time, a serious hit to your reputation and income as a small business owner.

It can also tarnish the appearance of your Experience in the eyes of potential guests. People might scroll past thinking, “I wonder why this one is only rated 4.92 out of 5?” — even though that’s an excellent score by most standards.

The Airbnb rating system is extremely subjective, and in my opinion, deeply flawed. A lot of people think they should only give 5 stars if they were absolutely blown away — if the experience was exceptional or “once-in-a-lifetime.” But here’s the truth: if you had a good time, felt welcome, and your Host was friendly, attentive, and delivered what was promised, that’s worth 5 stars.

So why not give 5 stars when the Host or guide looked after you, made an effort, and gave you a unique or enjoyable experience? Saving 5 stars for only mind-blowing moments can unintentionally damage a Host’s standing — especially on Airbnb, where the algorithm rewards perfect ratings and penalises anything less, even if the review is otherwise positive.

Many guests don’t realise that a 4-star review on an Airbnb Experience can signal a problem, even when the written comment says the opposite. You might think 4 stars is a good score — and it is in most areas of life — but on Airbnb, it can be taken as a sign that something went wrong.

As Hosts, we often see 4-star reviews and wonder: Did I mess up? Did I not give enough? A small drop in stars can lead to a big emotional and professional impact, especially when no clear issue is mentioned.

Personally, I’d rather get a well-worded, thoughtful comment ( or message) with no review at all than a vague 4-star review that drags down my rating.

A better review for example:

“This Experience exceeded our expectations and we all had a great time. Our Host was very accommodating, knew his stuff, and showed us loads of tricks and insider know-how. Would highly recommend this Experience to anyone!”

Doesn’t that sound far more encouraging than simply giving 4 out of 5 stars?

Broken Windows Theory

In my opinion, leaving a negative Airbnb review — or dropping a star unnecessarily — works like the “Broken Windows Theory.” I first came across this concept on the TV series Blue Bloods, and I think it’s a surprisingly accurate reflection of human nature.

The theory suggests that the first visible sign of damage or disorder (like a broken window) invites more of the same — vandalism, neglect, or decay. Applied to reviews, it means that one critical comment or a slightly lower star rating can set the tone, subtly giving others “permission” to be harsher or more nitpicky than they might have been otherwise.

Negativity breeds more negativity, especially online where there are rarely any direct consequences. The internet — once a symbol of global connection and shared knowledge — has in many ways become a platform for outrage, nitpicking, and performative criticism.

Major platforms have taken note. Facebook removed the thumbs-down option, and YouTube hid the public dislike counter, both in response to rising online hostility. While creators can still see how many downvotes they receive, the public can't — which immediately reduced visible negativity. Still, those dislikes can silently affect rankings and revenue, something most users never consider.

It’s the same with Airbnb: a 4-star review might look fine to the Guest, but it creates a visible crack in a Host’s reputation — and that can quietly snowball over time.

My Background

David Condon Turning an Ornament

In case you were wondering who wrote this blog post. I'm a professional Woodturner from Tralee Co Kerry Ireland and I have been in Business since 2015. I became a Host for Airbnb Experiences at the end of the 2019 season. Up until recently, I ran 3 loosely linked Experiences related to my Woodturning Business. Covid caused over a year of a gap in my customer base and getting tourists back has been a very hard slog.

I had a consistent 5 star rating on all 3 Experiences and my Ornament Making Experience was by far the most popular. The other two Experiences had only a few Guests each with only a couple of Feedbacks received. I also run Woodturning Tuition and Woodturning Experiences through my own website so I am thankfully not fully reliant on Airbnb Experiences to make my living.

Recent Issues Changed my Opinion of Airbnb

I recently (at the time of writing) had 2 Guests attend one of my three Experiences. Both were not from Ireland, (although one was living in Ireland for a few years) and obviously did not read the Experience Description very closely.

The session they booked was designed as a very basic introduction to woodturning — something many people around the world have never tried or even seen up close. That was exactly what was offered. But from their comments and expressions at the end of the session, I could sense they were expecting something more in-depth or advanced.

There was no real problem on the day. Language differences may have played a small role, but the core issue was mismatched expectations. Both Guests left smiling and said they had enjoyed their time — but later, I learned they left feedback suggesting they had hoped for “a bit more.”

This incident became a clear example of how Airbnb Experience ratings can drop suddenly, even when public feedback is polite or seemingly positive. Their written review was warm, but the behind-the-scenes scoring told a different story — and my overall rating took a hit.

It was a frustrating and disheartening experience that genuinely changed my opinion of how the Airbnb review system works — especially for Hosts who try hard to deliver what’s promised and keep their descriptions accurate and clear.

The Host is Tied to Their Description

Many visitors may not realise this, but Airbnb Experience Hosts are required to stick closely to the description provided on the listing. If a Host deviates from what’s advertised — even with good intentions — and a Guest complains, it can put the Host’s account at risk.

In this case, my Guests wanted to do more than what was outlined, but the Experience they booked was clearly described as a basic introduction. Had they read the listing more carefully, they might have realised it wasn’t what they were looking for.

If they were hoping for something more hands-on or in-depth, they could have chosen one of my other Airbnb Experiences — or better yet, booked directly through my website, where I offer greater flexibility in content, time, and pricing. Instead, they chose the least expensive option, and the outcome reflected exactly what was promised.

Good Review but Bad Score

The day after the Experience, I received the usual email from Airbnb letting me know that new feedback had come in. I opened it expecting a typical positive review — something I’ve been fortunate to receive consistently. I saw 4 out of 5 stars. Not the worst, but not great either, especially considering the time and effort I put in, including an extra 40 minutes beyond the allotted session.

The written comment was polite and positive overall, with a note that they “wished they could have done a bit more.” I had a feeling that might come up, based on how the session ended — but I hadn’t expected it to affect my overall rating so heavily.

When I checked the Airbnb desktop view, I realised how much damage had been done. Most guests don’t know that Airbnb asks additional rating questions behind the scenes, and their answers to these can significantly lower a Host’s overall score — even if their public review sounds glowing.

In this case, the guests scored me down by 50% on two of those extra questions — the worst I’ve ever received in those categories. The result? My overall rating for that Experience dropped from a perfect 5.00 to 4.67. To many people, that 0.33 difference may not sound like much — but on Airbnb, it matters. Lower ratings push your listing down in search results, affecting visibility, reputation, and ultimately, future bookings.

To make things worse, an added comment on one of the questions said the Experience felt rushed — despite the fact they received significantly more time than was advertised.

Some Hosts might shrug and say, “It happens — don’t let it bother you.” But it did bother me. Enough that I decided to unlist my two lesser Experiences and remove a number of dates I had recently added for the season. I even considered emailing the Guests to ask if they’d reconsider their scores — but in the end, I felt that could cause more problems if they took it the wrong way. So I let it go, reluctantly.

Fair Question but needs understanding

One of the first questions Airbnb asks Guests before leaving feedback is: “Do you think the Experience was good value?” On the surface, that’s a fair question. But many Guests may not be business-minded or aware of the true cost of running a small, hands-on Airbnb Experience.

A two-hour session might seem short from the outside, but for the Host, it can easily take up five hours of the working day when you include prep, cleanup, setup, and post-Experience admin. Then add in business overheads: insurance, machine maintenance, tool wear, electricity, materials, and a reasonable hourly wage.

There’s also the fact that my workshop can only safely and effectively accommodate a maximum of four Guests. That small group size is essential for a quality experience — but it also limits potential earnings and puts extra pressure on each review and rating.

When you compare that to some Airbnb Experiences that can host 10 to 20 people at once, it’s easier to understand how their pricing may appear more competitive. Their overheads are spread across a larger group, whereas in my case, every single rating and piece of feedback has a much bigger impact.

So yes, value is subjective, but I hope more Guests will take a moment to consider the unseen effort and cost behind their booking before making that call.

So What are the 3 Main Questions Airbnb Ask?

After an Airbnb Experience, Guests are asked to rate the Host in three key areas. As Hosts, we can see our cumulative scores for each question over time — but we don’t see the exact guest responses, and we’re not shown the wording of the questions from their side. That lack of transparency makes it difficult to fully understand how we're being judged.

In the examples below, I’m referring specifically to my Ornament Making Experience.

I assume these questions use a sliding scale — likely 1 to 5 or 1 to 10 — but again, Airbnb doesn’t clarify. This makes it even harder to interpret the results. A Guest might mark 9 out of 10 thinking they’ve left a great score, but on Airbnb’s internal system, that will still be counted as less than perfect and affect our overall rating.

In my experience, top marks in all three categories are hard to come by, not necessarily because the Host has done anything wrong, but because each Guest has different expectations and personal definitions of what “great” or “insightful” means. Some just want to be honest — but don’t realise how much a few dropped points can hurt the Host in the background.

Question 1: Expertise — Rating the Host’s Skill

This rating category is one that still puzzles me. I’ve had a few Guests mark me down slightly here, and honestly, I’m not sure why.

As Hosts, we don’t get to see exactly how Airbnb phrases the “Expertise” question, so it’s difficult to know what Guests are being asked to judge — or how seriously their answer will impact the overall score. As mentioned above — I suspect it’s a sliding scale, maybe out of 10, and perhaps a Guest giving 9 out of 10 thinks they’re being generous — but even that small deduction can count against us behind the scenes.

In my case, I’m not just someone running a hobby class. I’m a professional woodturner. This is how I make my living — turning wood, crafting products, and teaching others how to do it. My workshop is real, my tools are real, and the skills I demonstrate have been built up over years of daily practice.

Could I explain the processes better? Maybe. I do try to refine my delivery each time. I’ll admit, I’m still learning the “performance” side of running Airbnb Experiences, and that part doesn’t always come naturally. But in terms of actual skill and knowledge, I’m confident I deliver what is promised — and then some.

Question 2: Insights — Behind the Scenes of a Real Craft

For my Ornament Making Airbnb Experience, I always aim to give Guests meaningful insight into the full process — not just the part they see during the hands-on activity.

I take time to show the behind-the-scenes elements, including where I dry timber and how raw wood becomes a finished product. I explain each step of the transformation from tree to ornament as clearly as I can, while keeping things brief enough to allow time for the actual turning work.

The piece we use is Ash wood, which is now officially endangered, and I make sure to highlight that — along with sharing as many of my own techniques, tricks, and finishing methods as possible. I talk about how I achieve the shine on finished products and what makes handcrafted woodturning unique. These aren’t just talking points — this is what I do for a living, day in and day out. My hope is that the guests may return for a full tuition class in the future now that I've taught them a bit & peaked their interest.

From my perspective, I already include a great deal of insight and real-world craft experience in the session. It’s hard to see how I could improve this part without sacrificing the hands-on turning time, which is what most Guests are excited about.

Question 3: Connection — Is This Really Fair to Hosts?

Of all the Airbnb review questions, this is the one I find the most baffling — and quite frankly, the most unfair. I suspect the way Airbnb phrases the “Connection” question leads to unrealistic expectations, especially when you consider cultural differences, language barriers, and personality types.

Let’s be honest — when you go to a restaurant, do you expect to form a deep personal connection with the chef, waitstaff, or concierge? Of course not. If they’re warm, welcoming, and professional, that’s enough. You might remember their face or name and even return — but you don’t expect them to message you weeks later to stay in touch.

As Irish people, we’re generally friendly and happy to chat, but we’re also fairly private and reserved. Over-familiarity from strangers can feel intrusive, and this is true for many cultures around the world. So the idea that a Host should deliver not just a quality Experience, but also a sense of deep personal connection, is hard to measure and even harder to meet consistently.

In my woodturning Experiences, I make an effort to engage, share stories, offer laughs, and include everyone as much as I'm able. I’m happy to chat, answer questions, and make you feel welcome from start to finish. When the session ends, we part on good terms. If you’d like to follow me on social media, I welcome it. I might even follow you back — especially if you’re in a creative or craft-related field. But I’m not glued to social media, and I certainly don’t expect any Guest to be either.

This idea of “Connection” feels vague, unbalanced, and heavily shaped by subjective expectations. It may reflect certain cultural norms — but it’s not a universal concept, and certainly not one that applies equally across all countries or personalities.

It’s not a fair benchmark when the rest of the Experience is positive, professional, and delivered exactly as described.

My Guide to Leaving Airbnb Experience Reviews

For Hosts: A Gentle Word of Advice

If you're an Airbnb Experience Host, I recommend mentioning — briefly and kindly — how the review system works at the start or end of your session. You don’t need to make a big deal out of it, but it helps to let Guests know that Airbnb asks for feedback in more areas than just the public comment.

Encourage them to answer honestly, of course — but remind them that even well-meaning scores on subjective questions (like “Connection” or “Value”) can have real consequences for a Host’s visibility and success on the platform. Many Guests simply don’t realise that their quick clicks can affect how we appear in search or how our businesses perform long-term.

For Guests: Think Before You Click

As Hosts, we’re here to give you an enjoyable, comfortable, and well-described Experience. We genuinely want you to have a good time. Most of us put serious effort into our listings and try to deliver exactly what’s promised — if not more.

If you’ve had a suggestion or something felt slightly off, you can always leave a private message for the Host after your public review. This way, you can share constructive feedback without harming their public reputation, especially if your concern is small or nuanced.

Remember that reviews are subjective, and every person in a group may have a slightly different take on the same event. That’s normal. In my case, I’ve made a strong effort to match Airbnb’s three scoring criteria — even when I don’t fully agree with how they’re structured.

You don’t need to hold back praise just because you weren’t blown away. If you enjoyed yourself and felt the Host delivered what was promised, don’t hesitate to give a full 5 stars and a kind word. It really does make a difference.

Not Every Guest Will Leave Feedback

Most Airbnb Hosts know this already: not every Guest leaves a review, and that’s perfectly normal. At the time of writing, I’ve run around 25 Ornament Making Experiences on Airbnb — and received about 17 reviews. On my own website, I offer the same Experience and have hosted many more, but very few of those Guests ever left feedback.

Over time, I’ve stopped actively asking for reviews. Part of me feels that asking might tempt fate — one offhand comment or a 4-star rating could unintentionally hurt the listing. So these days, I leave it to the Guest. If someone seems to have really enjoyed their time, I might drop a gentle hint at the end, but I never push it. Genuine, unprompted reviews often say the most anyway.

Leaving a Review — A Small Act That Matters

Leaving a review on Airbnb is quick and easy — so easy, in fact, that some Guests leave offhand comments or knock off a star without thinking it through. My advice? Please don’t do that.

If the Experience was mostly enjoyable, even if it wasn’t flawless, consider writing a short positive note and giving the full 5 stars. It costs nothing to be kind, and that review goes a long way toward supporting small, independent Hosts.

Positivity breeds positivity. You never know how much a thoughtful review can lift a Host’s spirits or help their business. Plus, keep in mind: your review is permanently attached to your profile on Airbnb. A pattern of nitpicky or negative reviews can reflect back on you too, especially if it becomes a habit.

So if you had a good time — even if it wasn’t perfect — leave a kind word and a full star rating. It’s a small gesture with a big impact.

Nobody has Written about this before!

Before I wrote this post, I searched high and low for an Airbnb FAQ, blog post, or guide that explained the review process from the point of view of an Airbnb Experience Host — and I found nothing. Not a single useful resource that showed how Airbnb’s rating system actually works, or how even a small slip in a guest’s review can impact a Host's business. That’s why I decided to write this blog post myself.

If you’re a Host who’s had a frustrating or confusing review experience, especially from just one guest who left an offhand comment or dropped a star, I hope this helps you feel a bit less alone. It’s a tricky system, and most guests honestly don’t realise the ripple effect their words and star ratings can have.

And if you’re a Guest trying to understand how to leave a fair review on an Airbnb Experience, here’s my advice:

Even small choices — like saying something felt “a bit rushed” or giving 4 stars instead of 5 — can significantly affect a Host’s rating, visibility, and income.

Be honest, yes, but also kind and thoughtful — especially when answering Airbnb’s subjective questions about things like “Expertise,” “Connection,” and “Insights.” Most Hosts are doing their very best, and a little empathy goes a long way.

If this post struck a chord or helped you understand the Airbnb Experience review system better, please leave a comment below — I’d love to hear from other Hosts or Guests who’ve seen this side of the platform.

In Conclusion

If you’re a Guest attending an Airbnb Experience, please keep one thing in mind: your Host may be a skilled professional in their field, but that doesn’t mean they’re a polished performer or natural entertainer. Delivering an Experience — especially to a group of strangers — can be daunting, even for the most experienced and outgoing Hosts.

Airbnb Experiences are meant to be real, personal, and off the beaten path. That’s their magic — they’re not scripted, mass-produced tours. So try not to judge the Host too quickly or too harshly. Many of us are doing our best to manage time, tools, group dynamics, safety, and conversation — all at once.

Personally, I often struggle at the beginning of each session. There’s a lot to juggle. I sometimes forget names, I may seem distracted — but I genuinely want every Guest to enjoy themselves and walk away having learned or experienced something new.

Instead judge Hosts on the following and try not to deduct stars unnecessarily.

• Were you made to feel welcome?

• Did the Host follow the Experience Description Closely?

• Did the Host try and include everyone in the group in what was going on?

• Did the Host try to explain everything as best they could?

• Did you do something that you wouldn't ordinarily do at home?

• Was the bulk of the Experience worthwhile?

A thoughtful comment and constructive private feedback can go a lot further than dropping stars or marking someone down in Airbnb’s hidden scoring system. Whatever Experience you attend, try to view it as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity — not a transaction to critique, but a memory to appreciate.

You could be at home watching TV — instead, you’re learning something new, meeting new people, and supporting a local craft or passion.

Thanks so much for reading to the end.

Please feel free to leave a comment below — I’d genuinely love to hear from other Guests or Hosts who’ve experienced something similar.

David

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