No, you can’t delete an Airbnb review yourself; Airbnb only removes feedback that breaks its reviews policy.
What Airbnb Actually Allows
Hosts and guests can’t scrub feedback they wrote or received. The platform may take down a post if it breaches stated rules, but manual removal by the parties isn’t a feature. You can post a public reply and you can ask the platform to evaluate a post against its rules.
Two basics shape every case. First, the window to write feedback lasts 14 days after checkout. Second, if you submit first, you can edit your text until the other party posts or the 14-day clock ends. After that, both sides publish at once and the text locks.
| Path | Who Can Use | What Qualifies |
|---|---|---|
| Ask Airbnb To Remove | Host or guest | Clear breach of the reviews or content rules |
| Public Reply | Host or guest | Context or corrections when a post stays up |
| Do Nothing | Host or guest | Let new, strong stays push the score upward |
Ways To Delete An Airbnb Review—What Actually Works
“Delete” only happens when the post breaks a rule. That includes threats tied to feedback, discriminatory language, doxxing, spam, or claims that have no link to the stay. You’ll need clear proof. Screenshots, time-stamped photos, message history, logs, and booking records help the team judge the case.
Two links worth saving: the platform’s Reviews Policy sets the bar for what belongs in feedback, and this Help Center page explains how to ask for removal. Read both, match your facts to specific bullets, and submit only what proves the breach.
Prohibited Content That Gets Pulled
Certain lines trigger quick action, such as hate speech, threats, graphic content, or posts meant only to advertise. Private info like phone numbers, home addresses, or payment details also falls outside the rules. Any post that promotes illegal acts or breaks privacy rules can be flagged.
Retaliation And Extortion
Messages that tie star ratings or a negative post to a demand for money, refunds, or special treatment cross the line. If a guest says, “Refund me or I’ll slam you,” collect the message trail and file a report. If a host pressures a guest for praise in return for perks, that also qualifies.
Irrelevant Or Privacy-Breaching Details
Feedback must stick to the actual stay. Rants about topics outside the booking, claims about people who weren’t there, or gossip about identities fall outside scope. Content that exposes legal names, emails, or other personal data can be removed.
Factually Impossible Claims
Sometimes a guest blames a broken appliance that never existed, or a host accuses damage on dates when no one was in the home. When records prove a claim can’t be true, you have grounds to ask for removal.
How To Request Removal With Evidence
The strongest cases map each sentence in the post to a rule and attach proof. Keep the packet short and direct. The reviewer wants clarity and facts, not long essays. Use plain language and label each file so it’s easy to scan.
Build Your Case
- Save the full text of the post and the star ratings.
- Collect proof: photos, videos, access logs, chat history, booking data.
- Line up each claim with a rule that it breaks; quote the title of the rule.
- Write a two-to-three paragraph summary that states what happened and what rule was broken.
- Redact private info before you send files.
Submit The Request
Go to the Help Center page linked above. Choose the post, upload your packet, and reference the exact bullet in the rule page. If the team needs more data, send it and restate the rule link.
If Airbnb Says No
Post a calm, factual reply that gives context and offers a fix where sensible when needed.
Write A Strong Public Reply
A clear reply can rescue trust even when the post stays live. Prospective guests scan tone and facts. A short, human reply shows you care and that you run a tight place.
Reply Formula That Works
- Start with thanks: “Thanks for staying with us.”
- State the facts: correct a point with proof, such as a work order or time-stamped photo.
- Offer a fix: share what you changed or how guests can reach you fast next time.
- Keep it short: three to six lines is enough.
Reply Template You Can Adapt
“Thanks for staying. We’re sorry the Wi-Fi felt slow. A speed test that night showed 300 Mbps down; a modem reboot fixed it within five minutes. We’ve added a printed quick-reset card by the router so guests can get back online in one step.”
Time Windows, Edits, And Limits
Both sides get 14 days after checkout to write feedback. If you post first, you can edit your text until the other party submits or the clock ends. After the window closes, both posts publish and lock. You can still add a public reply, but you can’t change the original text or stars. Guests and hosts can also post feedback on certain stays that were canceled on or after the check-in date.
| Action | Window | Where It Happens |
|---|---|---|
| Write Feedback | Within 14 days after checkout | Reviews page |
| Edit Your Feedback | Until the other party posts or day 14 | Reviews page |
| Post A Public Reply | Any time after a post appears | Reviews page |
Common Scenarios And Likely Outcomes
Retaliatory Post After A Damage Charge
This is common. If the message thread shows threats tied to ratings or a demand for money, flag it. Attach the thread and point to the rule that bans extortion and retaliatory posts.
False Claim About Amenities
Match the claim to listing details and time-stamped photos. If the post says “no air-con” and your listing shows a unit with a service ticket during that stay, submit the proof and ask for removal.
Content With Slurs Or Harassment
Flag it and attach screenshots. Posts with hate speech, graphic content, or personal attacks can be pulled without delay.
Private Info In The Text
If a post includes names, phone numbers, emails, or addresses, file a report. The platform bars private info in public content.
Wrong Person Or Wrong Listing
Sometimes a guest posts about a different stay. Show the mismatch with booking dates and chat logs. Ask for removal since it isn’t tied to your place.
Prevent The Next Bad Review
Avoiding flare-ups beats clean-up. Set clear house rules, send a short pre-arrival note that lists Wi-Fi, parking, and check-in steps, and make help easy to reach. A small laminated card with a phone number or in-app steps can cut friction. After check-in, send one short message to confirm all is well. If anything pops up, act fast and follow with a quick note that the fix is done.
Keep a log of issues and the date you fixed them. Add simple checklists for cleaners and tech checks. A tidy home, clear photos, and accurate copy lead to steady five-star notes. When you do get a rough post, a strong record lets you win back trust and, when needed, earn a takedown.
Proof Packet Checklist
- Booking ID, dates, and guest or host profile link.
- Full text of the post with star ratings.
- Time-stamped photos or video of the item in question.
- Chat screenshots that show threats, demands, or promises tied to ratings.
- Repair orders, receipts, vendor notes, or sensor logs.
- A short summary that maps each line to the exact rule breached.
When A Reply Beats Removal
Sometimes the text doesn’t cross a rule, yet it still feels rough. In that case, write a clean reply that shows care, states facts, and offers a path to fix. Future guests weigh tone as much as blame. Keep it constructive and move on to serving the next booking well.
How Reviews Get Evaluated
Review teams look for a clear link between the stay and the text, plus any rule breaches. They scan timing, message history, and whether the writer tried to resolve the issue during the trip. A well labeled packet speeds that scan.
Evidence carries the day. A time-stamped speed test beats vague claims about “bad Wi-Fi.” A dated invoice beats a memory. If a post complains about noise at 3 a.m., a smart-lock log that shows no entry and a neighbor message can settle that point. When the facts line up with a rule bullet, removal is realistic.
Common Mistakes That Sink A Request
- Sending long essays with no labeled proof.
- Arguing taste (“old decor”) instead of rule breaches.
- Quoting rules loosely instead of linking the exact bullet.
- Letting anger spill into messages with the other party.
Guest Tips After A Harsh Host Post
Guests can’t remove their own feedback either. If a host’s text breaks rules, flag it with proof the same way. Screens that show a request for five stars in exchange for perks, or public shaming with private data, can justify a takedown. If the post stays up, write a brief reply that states your side, keeps names out, and points to verified facts.
Plan ahead to avoid rough stays. Read house rules, scan recent posts for patterns, and message the host with any deal-breakers before you book. During the stay, raise issues promptly in the app so the record shows you tried to resolve them. That paper trail helps with refunds and with any later dispute over feedback.