What is the Airbnb Guest Favorites Badge?

The Airbnb Guest Favorites badge is a recognition given to the most-loved homes on the platform. It is a listing-specific award based on consistently high ratings, positive reviews, and excellent reliability data from past guests. Think of it as a stamp of approval that tells potential bookers, "This place is one of the best."

Unlike the Superhost status, which is tied to the host's overall performance, the Guest Favorites badge is all about a single property. This means a Superhost can have a listing that isn't a Guest Favorite. Conversely, a host who isn't a Superhost can have a listing that earns the badge.

This collection includes nearly 2 million of the most popular homes on Airbnb. The badge appears prominently in search results and on the listing page, making it a powerful tool for attracting guests.

How to Get the Airbnb Guest Favorites Badge

Earning the Guest Favorites badge comes down to excelling in three key areas: guest ratings, host cancellations, and quality-related support issues. Airbnb uses a mix of data points to identify these top-performing listings. Let's break down what you need to do.

1. Nail Your Ratings and Reviews

The foundation of a Guest Favorite listing is exceptional guest feedback. Your property must have an overall rating of at least 4.9 stars. This isn't an easy feat and requires consistent excellence.

To qualify, your listing also needs a minimum of five reviews. Key areas guests rate you on include:

Cleanliness: The space must be spotless for every single guest.
Accuracy: Your listing photos and description must match the reality of the property.
Check-in: The arrival process should be smooth and simple.
Communication: Respond quickly and helpfully to all guest inquiries.
Location: While you can't change your location, you can describe it accurately.
Value: Guests should feel they received a fair price for the experience.

Consistently high ratings in these subcategories are your path to a 4.9+ star average. Remember that Airbnb reviews unlock more bookings by building trust with future guests.

2. Minimize Host Cancellations

Reliability is a huge factor for guests. Airbnb tracks host-initiated cancellations very closely. To be considered for Guest Favorites, your listing must have a cancellation and quality-related issue rate that averages below 1%.

A host cancellation creates a terrible experience and hurts trust in the platform. Keep your calendar meticulously updated to avoid double bookings. If you use Instant Book, ensure your settings are correct. Having a backup plan for emergencies can prevent you from having to cancel a reservation.

3. Avoid Quality-Related Issues

This metric is tied to calls made to Airbnb's customer support team. If a guest contacts support about a significant problem with your listing, it counts against you. These are issues that prevent a guest from staying comfortably, such as a broken heater, no hot water, or incorrect access information.

The best way to avoid these is through proactive management and clear communication. Regularly inspect your property and amenities. Using automated guest communication templates can ensure guests have all the information they need before they even have to ask.

For more detail, you can read Airbnb's official Help Center article on Guest Favorites.

Guest Favorites vs. Superhost: What's the Difference?

It's easy to confuse Guest Favorites with the Superhost program, but they serve different purposes. Both signal quality, but they measure it differently.

Guest Favorites is about the property.

Level: Listing-specific
Criteria: Based on ratings (4.9+), reviews (5+), and reliability (under 1% issues).
Frequency: Updated daily based on recent performance.

Superhost is about the host.

Level: Host-specific (covers all their listings).
Criteria: Based on overall rating (4.8+), response rate (90%+), cancellation rate (under 1%), and hosting activity (10+ stays or 100 nights).
Frequency: Assessed quarterly.

The best hosts aim for both. Achieving Superhost status shows you're a reliable and experienced operator. Earning the Guest Favorites badge on each of your listings shows that every property you manage delivers an outstanding guest experience. This powerful combination is a key part of The Ultimate Guide to Airbnb SEO! (2024 edition).

Why the Guest Favorites Badge Matters for Your Bookings

Earning this badge isn't just about bragging rights; it directly impacts your bottom line. The Guest Favorites badge is a powerful marketing tool that can significantly increase your listing's performance.

First, it provides increased visibility. The badge makes your listing pop in search results. More importantly, guests can now filter their search specifically for "Guest Favorites," putting your property in an exclusive pool of top-tier homes. If your listing isn't in that pool, you're invisible to those searchers.

Second, it builds higher trust and boosts conversion. The badge is a form of social proof that instantly tells guests your home is verified as excellent. According to research, positive reviews heavily influence purchasing decisions. This badge acts as a summary of hundreds of positive reviews, reducing hesitation and encouraging more clicks and bookings.

Finally, this increased demand and trust can lead to a higher Average Daily Rate (ADR). Listings that are consistently highlighted as the best can often command higher prices without seeing a drop in occupancy.

Actionable Takeaways: Your Path to Guest Favorites

The new Airbnb Guest Favorites badge is a clear signal of quality that can drive more bookings. Earning it requires a relentless focus on the guest experience. It's not a one-time award but a reflection of your ongoing commitment to excellence.

Here is your action plan:

Audit Your Listings: Check your dashboard today. What is your current overall rating and issue rate for each property? Identify which listings are close and which need work.
Focus on the Guest Experience: Read your reviews carefully. Address any recurring feedback, whether it's about cleanliness, amenities, or communication.
Prevent Avoidable Issues: Double-check your calendar for accuracy to prevent cancellations. Ensure your check-in instructions are crystal clear.
Optimize for Accuracy: Make sure your photos and description are a perfect match for the real-life experience. A professional listing optimization service can help ensure everything is accurate and appealing.

Take Control of Your Performance Metrics

Tracking your performance across one or many listings can be overwhelming. You need to know which properties are close to earning the Guest Favorites badge and which are at risk. Hostmatic's analytics dashboard gives you a clear view of your ratings, reviews, and operational metrics, so you can focus your efforts where they'll have the biggest impact. Get started and turn data into decisions.