How listings are verified
You shouldn’t have to worry that a listing is fake or isn’t where it says it is. That’s why we’ve built a new process for Hosts to demonstrate that a listing on Airbnb is a real home, at an accurate location, and that they have access to that location.
When you see the Verified Listing badge on a listing’s map, this means that the listing has satisfied the verification requirements described in this article. In some cases, existing listings that meet specific criteria may receive a Verified Listing badge without requiring the Host to complete the new verification process.
All references to “listing verification,” “verify listings,” or “verified listings” mean the listing has satisfied the verification requirements to help confirm the listing is real and its location is accurate according to the methods described in this article.
Our verification process helps to confirm only that the listing is real and at an accurate location—we don’t verify the Host’s listing description or any other details they provide about their listing.
Our listing verification process has safeguards, but is not a guarantee that a listing is what the Host claims it to be. For more information on the process of verification, including the various methods used and the limitations of the process, please see below.
How the process works
Hosts in select countries are now being prompted to go through our verification process for new and existing listings, and more countries will be added throughout 2024.
There are several methods we use to complete this process. Most Hosts prompted to verify their listing(s) will need to follow steps onsite at their listing location to complete the process. For some existing listings with guest feedback such as ratings on previous bookings, Hosts may be able to submit documentation to verify their listing.
Verification methods:
- Photos: Hosts are asked to take 2 new photos outside and inside of their listing using the Airbnb app with precise location sharing enabled. The inside photo must match a photo of the same area from the Host’s listing details page.
- Videos: Hosts are asked to record short videos demonstrating that they are at specific locations in and around the listing—inside near the front door, outside showing the exterior view, or a nearby street sign.
- Documentation: Hosts are asked to provide documentation to verify their connection to the listing, such as a utility bill, mortgage statement, residential lease agreement, property tax document, or HOA membership. The submitted document must show the listing owner’s full name and be fewer than 60 days old (most documents) or 365 days old (lease agreements only).
- Attestation: Certain Hosts may have the option to sign an attestation form that they have verified the location and access of all of the listings associated with their company.
Exemptions
Some listings that meet additional precautions and standards may earn a Verified Listing badge as soon as it’s available in the region without requiring the Host to go through any of the verification methods described in this article. Listings that meet these criteria may earn a Verified listing badge due to meeting additional standards during the listing creation process or based on previously collected information that may include documentation or guest feedback such as ratings and reviews.
Limitations of listing verification
Guests should be able to book with confidence that the listing they’ve chosen is a real home with an accurate location that the Host has access to. That’s why we have a process in place to attempt to verify the listings Hosts publish on Airbnb.
Even with safeguards, no verification process is foolproof and we cannot guarantee a listing’s location or that the Host has access to it. Some limitations of our verification process include:
- Potential fraudulent activities that bypass our safety checks.
- Verification does not consider any safety or quality issues in the listing or in the surrounding neighborhood.
- The Verified Listing badge status of a listing could change without notice.
- Only the information requested as part of the listing verification method we’ve asked the Host to complete is verified. Any other information a Host publishes on their listing is not verified, such as listing details or Neighborhood highlights.
- We do not inspect the listing for accuracy, even when the listing was verified through photos or videos.
If you still need assistance with your Host or listing, contact us for support.