No, Airbnb reviews can’t be transferred; reviews stay tied to the original profile or listing on the platform.
You’re not the only host or owner asking whether past guest feedback can move to a new account, a new business entity, or a fresh listing. The short answer stays the same across scenarios: reviews and star ratings live with the profile or the specific listing that earned them. That means a sale, a rebrand, or a switch in management won’t carry those scores across accounts. The good news: you can plan a smooth handover and rebuild trust fast with a clear setup, tight operations, and smart review habits.
Transferring Airbnb Reviews: What The Rules Allow
Airbnb’s systems connect each review to the account or listing where the stay happened. That tie keeps feedback credible and traceable. You can’t merge accounts to pool feedback, and you can’t ask Airbnb to copy star ratings to a new profile. Even when you move a connected listing to a different owner account through channel-manager workflows, the new entry is treated as a fresh listing. So the history stays put, and the new listing starts from zero.
Quick Reference: What Moves And What Doesn’t
The grid below sums up common items hosts try to move when they change accounts, sell a property, or swap managers.
| Item | Can Move? | Practical Note |
|---|---|---|
| Guest Reviews | No | Locked to the profile/listing where the stay occurred. |
| Star Ratings | No | Calculated on the original account or listing only. |
| Superhost Badge | No | Tied to the host account; a new account starts clean. |
| Existing Reservations | No | Active bookings can’t be shifted to a different account. |
| Listing Photos | Yes (re-upload) | Only if you own the rights; add fresh alt text and captions. |
| Listing Copy | Yes (rewrite) | Recreate the description to match the new listing ID. |
| Pricing & Rules | Yes (manual) | Rebuild settings; double-check smart pricing and fees. |
| Co-Host Access | Yes | Owner can add a co-host for operations on the same listing. |
| Identity Verification | No | Each account must complete its own checks. |
Why Reviews Don’t Travel Between Profiles Or Listings
Reviews measure real stays with a specific host identity and a specific home. If feedback could jump to new identities, guests would lose a clear trail of performance. Tying reviews to the original record protects trust signals. It also discourages churn tactics that could mask poor service under fresh accounts. The policy keeps the playing field fair for hosts who earn their track record over time.
Common Scenarios And What Actually Works
You Bought A Property With A Strong History
Congrats on the purchase. The feedback history stays linked to the seller’s host identity or the seller’s listing. If the seller keeps the same listing under their account, they can add you as a co-host to help manage operations. That setup lets you work inside the existing listing, but the reputation still reflects the original host profile. If you create your own host account and publish a new listing for the same address, you start fresh on ratings and reviews.
You’re Switching From A Management Company
Many owners take control after using a manager or switch to a different service. If the manager holds the listing under their account, the safest path is to publish a new listing under your own account. You’ll keep creative assets you own (photos you paid for, floor plans, amenity checklists) and rebuild the rest. You won’t bring the old review tally along, so plan a rapid-trust sequence for your first dozen stays.
You Need To Consolidate Or Split Accounts
Hosts sometimes create more than one profile over time. There’s no native merge to combine them, and no pathway to move reviews or badges between profiles. Pick the account you want to keep, close out reservations on the other, and migrate your listings by republishing. That approach avoids dangling bookings and keeps service steady for guests.
You Want A “Transfer” By Switching The Primary Host
Owners sometimes ask a co-host to take over full operations on the same listing. That handoff doesn’t shift historic feedback to a new account; it just changes who runs the day-to-day. If you plan a complete ownership change to a different account, a fresh listing gets created and review history doesn’t carry over.
What To Do Instead: A Clean Handoff Plan
You can’t move star ratings, but you can set up a handover that keeps guests confident while you build new feedback quickly. Use the plan below and aim to secure ten strong stays with fast replies and spotless turnover.
Step 1: Publish A Proper New Listing
Move fast on the basics: verified address, accurate amenities, clear house rules, fair fees, and crisp photos. Keep the title straightforward and honest. Add alt text to images. Check the map pin. If your calendar syncs from a PMS, test the feed. Avoid aggressive fees that can trigger low scores on value.
Step 2: Price For Traction
Start with a fair base rate and a leaner cleaning fee. Early bookings matter more than perfect ADR during launch. Set a modest minimum stay, turn on Instant Book if you can manage it, and keep the first month open for shorter gaps to rack up reviews.
Step 3: Nail Communication
Fast replies shape guest confidence. Use short, clear messages from inquiry to checkout. Share parking, entry, Wi-Fi, and local tips in one tidy guide. If a hiccup pops up, solve it fast and keep the tone calm and factual. Positive exchanges often lead to public praise.
Step 4: Deliver A Five-Touch Stay
Guests tend to mention the same things: spotless spaces, comfy beds, quiet HVAC, stocked kitchen basics, and easy check-in. Build a turnover checklist and keep a small stash of spares for linens and bulbs. Confirm cleaners with photo proof on handover days.
Step 5: Ask For A Review The Right Way
Send a friendly message after checkout thanking the guest and inviting feedback. Keep it simple and never promise perks in exchange for a review. If you submit your review first, you can still edit it within the platform window until the other party posts; that helps correct typos or add detail.
Policies To Know While You Rebuild Trust
Two official pages matter during a relaunch. First, the account merge stance makes clear there’s no tool to combine profiles or move history. Second, the reviews guidance explains timing and eligibility. Read both pages end-to-end so your processes match the rules and your team stays aligned.
When A Channel Manager Is In The Mix
If you push listings through a manager or PMS, moving a connected home to another owner account creates a fresh entry. Ratings from the old entry don’t come along, so expect a blank slate and plan your launch sequence again. Keep your photos and copy files handy to rebuild faster.
Fast-Track Playbook For Earning New Reviews
Use the checklist below to turn your first ten stays into a reliable base of feedback and a healthy star average.
Stay Readiness
- Stock extras: linens, towels, coffee pods, paper goods, light bulbs.
- Label switches and remotes; tidy cords; post Wi-Fi and check-out steps.
- Test every appliance and bathroom fixture before each arrival.
Guest Care
- Reply within minutes during daytime hours when possible.
- Offer a same-day fix window for small issues.
- Send a short mid-stay check-in to catch problems early.
Post-Stay Routine
- Thank the guest with a personalized note.
- Leave a factual review with a line on cleanliness and communication.
- Gently invite them to share feedback on their stay.
Workarounds People Ask About
Hosts sometimes look for alternate paths that might “keep” history. The table below lays out common ideas and what they give up. It keeps your choices clear and avoids dead ends.
| Method | What You Keep | Trade-Offs |
|---|---|---|
| Operate As A Co-Host On The Same Listing | Access to an established listing while you help run it. | Reputation stays tied to the owner’s profile; history doesn’t move to your account. |
| Publish A Fresh Listing Under Your Account | Full control and clean setup that matches your standards. | No carried-over reviews; you’ll build from scratch with launch pricing and fast replies. |
| Move A Connected Listing Through A PMS | Speed on setup and asset reuse across platforms. | The platform treats it as new; past ratings don’t carry. |
What To Avoid While You Rebuild
- Don’t offer perks for a positive review. Incentives violate rules and put your account at risk.
- Don’t ask guests to post feedback outside the platform. Keep all reviews inside the system.
- Don’t recycle another host’s text or photos without rights. Keep your listing original and accurate.
- Don’t inflate fees or add surprise charges. Clear pricing protects ratings on value and fairness.
A Simple Launch Timeline
Week 1
Publish the listing, set fair base rates, open the calendar, and load high-quality images. Write clear rules. Turn on Instant Book if your risk profile allows it. Prepare templates for check-in and check-out messages.
Week 2
Secure three to five stays with friendly pricing. Tighten cleaning checklists. Check response time metrics. Collect early reviews through great service and clear communication.
Week 3–4
Raise rates toward your target ADR as reviews land. Add a short local guide in your welcome message. Keep response times sharp. Review any guest notes and fix small friction points fast.
Practical Next Steps
Pick the account you’ll keep. Publish the new listing with accurate details. Price to earn those first ten reviews quickly, and treat each stay like a test you plan to ace. Keep messages short and helpful, and ask for feedback after checkout. Within a month, you can build a healthy track record that stands on its own.
Policy references worth reading: the platform’s stance on merging accounts and the timing rules for reviews for homes. Both pages explain why history stays put and how the review window works.