Airbnb features a variety of “ranks” and “badges” on its platform, such as Superhost and Airbnb Plus, but one that’s increasingly generating buzz these days is “Guest Choice.” Properties that earn Guest Choice status tend to stand out in listing search results and are more likely to appear near the top of search rankings, which can ultimately lead to higher booking rates and revenue.

That said, many hosts probably have questions like: “What exactly is Airbnb’s Guest Choice?” “How do I earn it?” and “How is it different from Superhost or Plus?” This article provides a detailed breakdown of what Guest Choice is, its key characteristics, and practical strategies for earning it. We’ll also cover the benefits and considerations once you’ve achieved it, exploring how you can leverage Guest Choice to strengthen your listing.

1. What Is Airbnb’s Guest Choice?

1-1. The Positioning of Guest Choice

“Guest Choice” refers to a special status—or recommendation-like feature—awarded to properties that receive high ratings from guests on Airbnb. While Superhost and Airbnb Plus focus on a host’s track record and quality standards, Guest Choice takes a more guest-centric perspective, serving as proof that “guests genuinely love this property.”

The exact name and display format may change depending on how Airbnb manages the program, but broadly speaking, this badge or search boost is typically awarded to “properties that receive consistently high overall ratings from guests.”

1-2. How It Differs from Superhost and Airbnb Plus

• Superhost: A title awarded based on the individual host’s hospitality and track record (high rating percentage, low cancellation rate, fast response time, etc.).
• Airbnb Plus: Certification granted when the property itself meets high quality standards (design, cleanliness level, quality of amenities, etc.).
• Guest Choice: Focuses on guest reviews and overall stay satisfaction (comment content, overall ratings, etc.), carrying the strong implication of “a recommended property chosen by guests who actually stayed there.”

In this way, three complementary indicators exist together: “the host’s track record (Superhost),” “the property’s exceptional quality (Airbnb Plus),” and “overall guest satisfaction ratings (Guest Choice).”

1-3. A New Metric for “Popular Properties”

When travelers search for properties on Airbnb, they increasingly rely not only on review ratings and photos but also on platform-awarded statuses (Superhost, Airbnb Plus, Guest Choice, etc.) as filters. Earning Guest Choice status highlights the fact that “many guests chose this property and were satisfied,” offering the potential benefits of higher booking rates and favorable treatment in the search algorithm.

2. Five Benefits of Earning Guest Choice

2-1. Improved Visibility in Search Results

Listings that earn Guest Choice status often display an icon or label in search results, catching guests’ attention. Beyond simply improving visibility, this badge reassures visitors that **”many guests have rated this highly,”** which is expected to increase click-through and booking rates compared to other properties.

2-2. Increased Trust from Guests

Guest Choice status demonstrates that guests who actually stayed at the property were highly satisfied. Unlike self-reported information from hosts, this creates the impression of an evaluation validated from the guest’s perspective, making it a strong deciding factor for new guests choosing where to stay. Beyond word-of-mouth and reviews, being officially recognized with this badge fosters even greater peace of mind.

2-3. Attracting Higher-Value Bookings

Earning Guest Choice status can help you avoid getting caught up in price competition. If a guest thinks, “As long as I’m booking, I’d rather choose a property with a proven track record I can trust,” they may opt for a Guest Choice property even at a somewhat higher price point, making it easier to raise your nightly rate.

2-4. Gaining Repeat Guests and Word-of-Mouth Growth

Properties selected for Guest Choice tend to get shared more widely on review sites and social media. Guests often think, “No wonder this place is a Guest Choice pick—it was that good!” and recommend it to others. This ripple effect of word-of-mouth can lead to more repeat guests and additional bookings.

2-5. Boosting Host Motivation

For hosts, earning Guest Choice status serves as proof that their hard work has been fairly recognized, providing a great sense of accomplishment. Much like the motivation to earn strong reviews or achieve Superhost status, maintaining and improving Guest Choice standing gives hosts an additional incentive to keep sharpening their skills and improving their service quality.

3. How to Earn Airbnb’s Guest Choice Status

3-1. Consistently Earning High Ratings

Above all else, your review ratings form the foundation of Guest Choice status. You’ll need to consistently earn 5-star ratings while keeping negative reviews to a minimum. Here are the key areas we recommend focusing on to make that happen:

• Cleanliness: Thoroughly manage sheets, towels, floors, and bathroom mold to keep the space spotless at all times.
• Host responsiveness: Quick message replies, polite communication, and providing detailed information ahead of check-in.
• Well-stocked amenities: Never skimp on essentials that support guests’ daily needs, such as reliable Wi-Fi speed and kitchen supplies.
• Local experiences: Highlight “one-of-a-kind” experiences by curating local sightseeing info or introducing traditional craft experiences unique to the area.

3-2. Optimizing Photos and Listing Information

Earning Guest Choice status first requires generating a strong volume of bookings. If your photos are dark or make the room look smaller than it actually is, your booking numbers will suffer—so high-quality photography and a clear, compelling description are absolutely essential. If possible, hire a professional photographer, or study up and aim to produce professional-caliber photos yourself.

• Lighting and angles: Maximize natural light to make the room look spacious and bright, and photograph key areas from multiple angles.
• Description structure: Write a concise, compelling title, overview, and list of selling points, clearly presenting the information guests care about most (such as distance from the station and access to major attractions).

3-3. Streamlining Check-In and Check-Out

An environment where guests can check in smoothly tends to result in higher ratings. Be thorough about eliminating guest confusion—for example, by installing smart locks or key boxes that flexibly accommodate late-night or early-morning arrivals, and by preparing a guide manual to send by email in advance.
It’s also reassuring to have a system in place for quick support in case something goes wrong (like a lock not opening or Wi-Fi not connecting). How quickly you respond to issues directly impacts your review ratings.

3-4. Communicating with Guests

Checking in lightly during the stay or after check-out—asking things like “Was everything comfortable?” or “Did you run into any issues?”—can reduce the risk of guests silently dealing with minor problems and then leaving a low rating. This approach not only makes it easier to receive reviews, but also greatly increases your chances of earning high-quality reviews.

That said, overly persistent messaging can backfire, so a light touch—like a single brief check-in message—strikes the right balance.

4. Effects of Guest Choice and Considerations for Ongoing Operations

4-1. Favorable Treatment in the Search Algorithm

Properties that have earned Guest Choice status are said to receive preferential treatment in Airbnb’s search algorithm. They’re more likely to appear near the top of search results, catching guests’ attention as they compare options—ultimately driving up click-through and booking numbers.

Although the search algorithm changes frequently, it’s widely accepted that high guest satisfaction and strong review ratings are consistently treated as positive factors.

4-2. Raised Guest Expectations

Guests visiting a property with Guest Choice status arrive with high expectations, thinking **”this place is definitely going to be great.”** As a result, even a slight shortfall in cleanliness or amenities during their actual stay can lead to a harsh “this fell short of my expectations” review.

While this can be seen as something of a downside, if you channel it into motivation to improve your day-to-day maintenance and service quality, your property’s reputation and revenue will improve over the long run.

4-3. Ongoing Effort Is Required to Maintain Status

Even after earning Guest Choice status once, if your review ratings decline or complaints become frequent, you risk losing that status early on. In other words, earning it isn’t the end goal—maintaining it requires ongoing effort. Staff service training, regular room updates, and seasonal amenity upgrades are all essential to keeping up a continuous improvement mindset.

5. Conclusion: Pursuing Guest Choice for Stronger Ratings and Stable Revenue

1-1. The Positioning of Guest Choice

Airbnb’s Guest Choice status represents overwhelming guest endorsement. Because it reflects a different angle than Superhost or Airbnb Plus—an evaluation rooted directly in guests’ authentic voices—earning it offers immeasurable benefits in terms of boosting your property’s credibility and visibility.

That said, earning Guest Choice status requires operations built around consistently securing high review ratings. Cleanliness, well-stocked amenities, optimized photos and descriptions, attentive communication, and quick resolution of guest issues—all of these fundamental host skills must be executed at a high level.

If your property can achieve a high-recognition status like Guest Choice, it could lead to higher search rankings and increased nightly rates, along with the added benefits of repeat guests and social media buzz. If you’re feeling any uncertainty or gaps in your current management setup or service quality, now is a great time to identify areas for improvement and start building a strategy toward earning Guest Choice status.

Contact Stay Buddy Inc.

If you’re an owner or property management company aiming to earn Airbnb’s Guest Choice status, boost guest satisfaction, and maximize your property’s appeal to increase revenue, please reach out to Stay Buddy Inc.

Drawing on our proven track record of helping numerous vacation rental properties succeed, we offer comprehensive support including review improvement strategies, cleaning manual development, search algorithm optimization, and staff training. Let’s work together to build an operational system capable of consistently earning high ratings—whether your goal is Guest Choice status or another badge. Feel free to reach out for a consultation anytime.