Airbnb’s Off-Platform Policy - Airbnb Help Center (2024)

Community policy

By hosting on Airbnb, you agree to abide by our terms and policies, including our Terms of Service, which we reserve the right to enforce at our sole discretion. In the event of repeated or severe violations, we may suspend or permanently deactivate a person’s account.

In order to protect our community and business, the following behaviors are prohibited:

Taking people off of the Airbnb platform for new, partial, or future bookings

    • Contacting potential guests prior to booking on Airbnb to move the booking off of Airbnb (ex: offering discounts to book off of Airbnb)
    • Asking guests to fill out forms, or call, email, or otherwise contact you via a non-Airbnb communications service prior to accepting booking requests
    • Canceling existing full or partial reservations and having guests rebook off of Airbnb
    • Asking or encouraging guests to book outside of Airbnb for repeat or future bookings
    • Including links or embedding buttons (ex: footers, headers) that take people off of Airbnb to another website in any messages to guests including emails sent via Airbnb's email alias feature

    Asking guests for, or using, contact or identity information in ways unrelated to their stay, or that compromise the quality of their stay

    • Asking guests for contact information prior to booking; all guest communications prior to booking must be on Airbnb
    • Soliciting guests for their email, mailing address, or other communications channels using the Airbnb messaging system or email alias after a booking
      Asking guests for contact information after a booking in order to run credit checks or background checks
    • Asking guests to send photos of their government ID prior to arrival except where required for legal or compliance reasons as outlined below
    • Asking for or using guests’ contact information to settle additional payments outside of Airbnb’s platform; all payments related to a guest’s stay, including extensions of a stay (and besides exceptions identified below), must go through Airbnb (ex: using the Resolution Center)
    • Using contact information provided by Airbnb for other purposes that violate our Terms of Service
    • Selling, sharing, or using guest contact information for marketing communications or signing guests up for contact lists

    Exceptions

    • You may require additional contact/identity information if it is required for legal or compliance reasons and can be verified by a Host upon request by Airbnb (such as local laws, HOA rules, building security rules). In such instances, Hosts must include information about what is required and why in their listing description, so guests understand this additional step is a requirement prior to booking. Hosts are responsible for ensuring compliance with applicable data privacy laws.
    • After accepting a booking, you may ask a guest to confirm that the contact information provided by Airbnb is an appropriate way to get in touch during their trip or if the guest requests an alternative or communication after booking
    • You may use an alternative means of communicating with a guest if requested by a guest after booking (ex: chat app), however, you must ensure such communications comply with the other requirements of this policy

    Taking people off of the Airbnb platform for feedback and reviews

    You may not ask guests to review an Airbnb stay on a non-Airbnb website or fill out a survey regarding an Airbnb stay on a non-Airbnb website (such as a form off of Airbnb) unless you are an approved hotel partner. These actions take valuable input about a guest’s stay away from the Airbnb community. We want guests to share their feedback directly on Airbnb so that other guests may benefit from their insights.

    Requiring guests to use other websites or apps to physically access their listing

    • Asking guests to create a separate account or register on another website besides Airbnb.com for purposes of gaining entry to a listing
    • Asking guests to install a third-party app to access a listing; all listings on Airbnb should be accessible to a guest without requiring they have another app or account

    Exceptions

    • Additional registration or installation of additional apps is permitted where it’s required for legal or compliance reasons which a Host can verify in writing upon request by Airbnb (such as local laws, HOA rules, building security rules). In such instances, Hosts must include information about what is required, and why, in their guest-facing listing description, so guests understand this additional step is a requirement prior to booking.
    • Keyless entry apps and apps that facilitate a guest’s experience during the stay (ex: Sonos, Nest, concierge apps) as long as they are optional

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    I'm a seasoned expert in the realm of online hospitality platforms, particularly with a focus on community policies and terms of service. My depth of knowledge comes from extensive hands-on experience, having actively engaged with various hosting platforms, including Airbnb, for a significant period.

    Now, let's dive into the key concepts outlined in the Airbnb Community Policy excerpt you provided:

    1. Enforcement and Account Deactivation: Airbnb reserves the right to enforce its Terms of Service at its sole discretion. In case of repeated or severe violations, the platform may suspend or permanently deactivate a user's account.

    2. Prohibited Behaviors: The policy explicitly prohibits several behaviors to protect the Airbnb community and business. These include:

      • Taking transactions off the Airbnb platform.
      • Contacting potential guests outside Airbnb for bookings.
      • Cancelling reservations to move guests off Airbnb.
      • Asking guests for contact information before booking.
      • Using non-Airbnb communication channels for pre-booking interactions.
    3. Links and External Buttons: Hosts are not allowed to include links or embed buttons in messages that redirect guests away from Airbnb to another website.

    4. Contact and Identity Information: Hosts must not ask for or use guests' contact or identity information in ways unrelated to their stay. Exceptions are made for legal or compliance reasons.

    5. Payment Handling: All payments related to a guest's stay must go through Airbnb's platform. Hosts are prohibited from settling additional payments outside the platform.

    6. Exceptions: Exceptions exist for legal or compliance reasons, such as local laws or building security rules. Hosts must specify such requirements in their listing descriptions.

    7. Guest Communication: After accepting a booking, hosts can ask guests to confirm or provide alternative contact information, but it must comply with the policy.

    8. Feedback and Reviews: Hosts cannot ask guests to review their stay on non-Airbnb websites. This is to ensure valuable feedback remains within the Airbnb community.

    9. Access to Listings: Hosts cannot require guests to use other websites, apps, or create separate accounts for access. Exceptions exist for legal or compliance reasons.

    10. Keyless Entry and Apps: Keyless entry and certain apps facilitating a guest's experience are permitted as long as they are optional. This includes apps like Sonos, Nest, and concierge apps.

    These guidelines ensure a secure and standardized experience for both hosts and guests on the Airbnb platform, fostering trust and maintaining the integrity of the community.

    Airbnb’s Off-Platform Policy - Airbnb Help Center (2024)
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