No—Airbnb reviews can’t be deleted by you; only Airbnb or the original author can remove a review that violates the platform’s Reviews Policy.
Hosts and guests want a fair system that reflects real stays. You can’t push a button to erase feedback on Airbnb, but you can flag policy-breaking content and ask the platform to take it down. This guide shows what qualifies for removal, how to file a winning report, and smart ways to reduce damage when a review sticks.
What Airbnb Removes Versus What It Leaves Up
Airbnb keeps reviews unless they break clear rules. The line is sharper than many expect, and that’s where most disputes hit a wall. To set expectations fast, use the table below as your compass.
| Scenario | Policy Basis | Likely Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Threats like “refund me or I’ll post a 1-star” | Anti-extortion rule in the Reviews Policy | High chance of removal once you submit proof |
| Slurs, harassment, hate speech | Content rules banning abusive or discriminatory content | Removal is common when language is clear |
| Personal data: full name, phone, address | Privacy limits in platform policies | Usually removed after verification |
| Irrelevant rants about off-platform issues | Relevance requirement in Reviews Policy | Possible removal if it doesn’t relate to the stay |
| Accurate but harsh critique of cleanliness or noise | Permitted opinion about the stay | Stays up; craft a reply instead |
| Disputes about deposits or fees when policies were posted | Permitted feedback; not a policy breach | Stays up unless it also breaks another rule |
| False claim you can easily disprove | May be removed if proof shows it’s baseless | Mixed; success improves with clear evidence |
If you need the exact rules, read Airbnb’s Reviews Policy and the broader Content Policy; both list what’s prohibited and what isn’t. These pages guide the team that reviews removal requests.
Removing Airbnb Reviews Legally: What Hosts Can Request
You can’t delete feedback yourself. You can report a review and ask Airbnb to take it down for rule violations. The request happens inside your account, tied to the review itself. If you wrote the review, you can ask Airbnb to remove your own text after publication as well, but you can’t force another person’s review off the page unless it breaks policy.
When Reporting Works Best
Success rises when your claim maps cleanly to policy text and you send proof. Screenshots of threats, timestamps that show the guest never stayed, and images that contradict claims all help. Vague appeals like “this is unfair” go nowhere.
How To File A Review Removal Request
- Open the review in your dashboard and choose the option to report it. If you’re stuck, start from Airbnb’s “remove a review” help page and follow the path from there.
- Select the rule the review breaks (harassment, extortion, privacy breach, irrelevant content, or factual inaccuracy).
- Attach evidence: message screenshots, booking logs, photos, or videos. Label each file so a reviewer understands it in seconds.
- Submit. If the decision feels off, reply in the same thread and ask for a second look. Keep it short and factual.
Airbnb’s own guides underline this flow. See “Remove a review from a host or guest” for the current steps and limitations: review removal help.
What Counts As Extortion, Harassment, Or Privacy Breach
Reportable threats are explicit and tied to money, perks, or special treatment. A line like “refund half or I’ll slam you” is classic extortion. Abusive language and slurs breach content rules on their own. Publishing a full address, phone number, or other identifying info breaks privacy limits.
Proof That Moves The Needle
- Messaging thread that shows the threat, demand, or harassment.
- Check-in/check-out logs to show no stay occurred or a claim is impossible.
- Timestamped photos that contradict specific allegations.
- Noise or device logs (doorbell, decibel, thermostat) that document behavior during the window in question.
Cite the exact rule in your report and attach the screenshot that proves it. That speeds up review and improves outcomes.
What Doesn’t Qualify For Removal
Many negative comments are allowed. Opinion about cleanliness, location, value, or host communication usually stays—even when it stings. Disagreements about fees that were disclosed also tend to remain. If the review mixes allowed opinion with one prohibited line (like doxxing), Airbnb may remove or edit only the offending portion and leave the rest.
How To Respond When The Review Stays Up
If a report fails or the content is allowed, your public reply becomes the fix. Keep it crisp, factual, and friendly. Future guests read tone as much as detail.
Template For A Calm, Credible Reply
“Thanks for the stay, and we’re sorry it didn’t land for you. We addressed the noise by adding blackout curtains and door sweeps in June. Check-in instructions now include a short video. We keep learning and improving.”
This format shows care, action, and timelines without arguing. It also signals to readers that you solve problems.
Reputation Repairs You Can Ship This Week
- Push fresh reviews by delighting upcoming guests with flawless basics: perfect cleaning, clear directions, crisp Wi-Fi details, comfy beds.
- Front-load clarity in the listing about stairs, street noise, pets, cameras, or rural insects. Surprises create the harshest ratings.
- Offer rapid fixes: same-day re-clean, towel swap, space heater, earplugs—small gestures calm tense stays and lead to kinder comments.
The Request Package That Works
Think like a case reviewer with 90 seconds per ticket. Your goal is a tight packet they can approve fast. Place short labels above each piece of proof and reference the matching policy line. Here’s a checklist you can adapt.
| Evidence | Where To Find It | Why It Helps |
|---|---|---|
| Screenshot: “refund or 1-star” | Airbnb message thread | Shows extortion in the platform channel |
| Photo timestamps | Phone gallery or camera app | Contradicts claims about damage or dirt |
| Smartlock or camera logs | Device app exports | Proves late check-in/out or no-show |
| House rules excerpt | Listing page PDF or screenshot | Confirms expectations were published |
| Noise monitor chart | Device dashboard | Shows quiet hours were kept or broken |
| Booking timeline | Reservation details | Backs up claims about message timing |
Realistic Outcomes And Timelines
Some removals happen fast when the violation is obvious. Cases with mixed facts take longer and may come back with “no action.” You can ask for another review, but short, evidence-led follow-ups work best. If the other party asks Airbnb to delete their own review, the platform can honor that request too—people can remove what they wrote themselves.
Smart Prevention Beats Cleanup
You’ll win more by stopping bad stays from forming. A clear listing, quick responses, and house rules that match your property reduce review drama. When issues surface, fix the fixable items during the stay instead of after checkout. A guest who feels heard writes softer comments even when something fell short.
Pre-Stay Moves That Lower Risk
- Crystal-clear listing details on stairs, parking, shared spaces, pet presence, and neighborhood noise.
- Message cadence: a warm pre-arrival note with directions, Wi-Fi, and a short check-in video.
- House rules that match reality and are visible in booking screens.
- Supplies that save the day: extra linens, basic tools, coffee pods, batteries, and spare bulbs.
During-Stay Recovery Playbook
- Respond fast, thank the guest, and state the fix you can ship today.
- Offer a small, documented gesture when you fall short—a partial refund, late checkout, or free parking, if it fits your policy.
- Confirm the resolution in the thread so there’s a paper trail.
Disputes About Facts: How To Make Your Case
When a review includes verifiably false claims, aim for simple, side-by-side proof. Pair each claim with one file that refutes it. Label them “Claim A / Proof A” and keep the message under 120 words. That format helps a reviewer say yes without digging.
Short Message You Can Reuse
“This review violates the Reviews Policy because it contains an explicit threat and off-platform demand. Please see: (1) Screenshot A showing the threat and (2) Booking timeline B. We request removal.”
What Guests Need To Know
Guests can ask Airbnb to remove their own posted review. They can’t force a host’s review to disappear unless a rule is broken. Guests who feel unheard should reach out in-stay for a fix. Hosts are more responsive when they can still make it right.
When To Let It Go
Not every tough comment needs a removal fight. If the feedback is grounded in the stay and free of rule breaks, write a short reply, fix the issue, and move forward. A stream of fresh five-star reviews will push an outlier down the page faster than any debate.
Quick Reference Links
Final Take: Your Plan For The Next Review Dispute
When you face a bad review, scan for rule breaks first. If you see extortion, harassment, privacy leaks, or pure irrelevance, report it with crisp proof. If it’s allowed opinion, post a calm reply, fix the root cause, and stack fresh positives. That steady rhythm protects your rating and keeps bookings healthy.