Post by High Priestess on May 31, 2016 0:58:24 GMT
Carrie shared on Airbnb Products and Updates Jan 2015
www.airbnb.com/groups/content/content-103019
Non Hosts in the Group
Several times, throughout these groups, I've seen non-hosts posting on the groups - profiles with no listing associated with their profile. I understand that some hosts could have (temporarily) deactivated listings, but I just saw a comment from someone on the "not fair" post from someone that had no listing & no reviews - she pretty much identified her self as a guest & not a host. (I have no ill will against that particular guest)
I'd thought that Airbnb had things set up so that hosts were the only ones who could even access these groups. If they are actually open groups, that gives us a good deal less leeway to talk freely about guest issue we may be having.
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nicky
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Nic and Rach
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Salvia
Salviaa year ago
UNFORTUNATELY everybody with a profile can join and I see the problem/effort to control the access by the Group moderators. Is there somebody with good relationship to Airbnb to get them to work on that IT-wise?
Reply Like 6 replies•2 likes
Rebecca
Rebeccaa year ago
You have to register as a host, though, to gain access to the groups. That's why it is not entirely comfortable, for me, to see a guest blithely posting away when they clearly have registered on the site incorrectly. I don't have anything against them personally either but really they should not be here, in my opinion.
Julie and Eric
Julie and Erica year ago
Do you mean that the member has to have a listing? I tested with a test account without a listing and it said "Thanks! We'll notify you" when I went to www.airbnb.com/groups. I could not navigate beyond that. It's easy enough to add a listing, I guess.
Rebecca
Rebeccaa year ago
Maybe they've changed it but some months ago I registered as a host with an email address that I'd just created. I then joined and posted on one of the groups. I did it to prove a point. The whole process took less than 5 minutes. It's good if they've changed it. But I am tempted to try again just to see....!
Carrie
Carriea year ago
Julie & Eric - the person who posted on "not fair" (Tracy) has no listing, and stated in that post "I am surfing for rentals and stumbled into this conversation."
Rebecca
Rebeccaa year ago
I just tried again to create an account and access the groups but you're right, Julie&Eric, the system has changed. Previously you needed to specify whether you were registering as a guest or a host. Now you just register and when you try to access the groups, like you say - a 'we'll notify you' message pops up. This is a good thing I guess although I'm secretly a bit disappointed. Last time I was William Comptom from Beautemps. This time I was going to be Robert Crawley from Grantham. @carrie, I guess Tracy registered before the changes to the system. Good to know though - do you want to host a guest who can't even read the most basic of instructions? Although as we know from the Anecdotes group, guests are not the only ones who don't bother to read anything
Julie and Eric
Julie and Erica year ago
Yep - I tried again with another test account and got a screen that said "request invite" which I clicked, then the "notify you." So maybe they allow some people? Here are the screens: imgur.com/JZjtlfn My test accounts are so super boring they don't even have names.
BTW mine were created in August, and Tracy in September.
Julie and Eric
Julie and Erica year ago
Agree - guests can read (and sometimes post) in the groups. Heck, I've even posted about hosts that weren't the best guests.
Having been an organizer for a short time, I can tell you how extremely basic the groups are:
1. Title, description, welcome email, location
2. Option to allow everyone (any Airbnb member), or that moderator is approval required
3. Lovely list of members with profile pics and names only in join date order only that loads 20 members at a time*
4. Ability to remove members from the group
5. Ability to make members organizers (not moderators) - if you can find them (see #3)
Unfortunately, I can only imagine any changes to groups is at the very tail end of any development work Airbnb is planning, although it would be nice to have a better interface for organizers, like the ability to search for group members, ban them, view their status as a host at a glance, only allow members that have active or inactive listings/reviews, keep track of actions by organizers, have an authorization level of moderator, etc.
I wonder how many guests would actually read the groups? My takeaway is I need to be more diplomatic about how I discuss guests until groups are transformed.
*I tried numerous times to find an Aussie host to add as an organizer at the previous organizer's request and the page gave out after 6 months - using a macro to perform the page downs overnight.
Reply Like 6 likes
Tracy
Tracya year ago
Pardon me to pieces.
First of all I HAVE in fact used Airbnb as a guest but not under my own name. My adult daughter has booked our lodging on several trips because she likes to pick the place we stay and I don't care what she chooses.
We use my husbands membership and mileage credit card for other past trips.
AND I am planning a trip to Boston this March for 1 week intending to use Airbnb AND I am going to Europe for 5 weeks this fall intending to use Airbnb. In addition I work in an art gallery in Seattle's Pike Place Market which is the number 1 tourist attraction in the entire NW. I am sometimes asked about lodgings for people that are visiting.
I'm not just a person that walked in to a cocktail party off the street interrupting a private conversation.
I am remodeling a bedroom in our house to use for guests, we have been Homestay parents for 7 years to supplement our income. I want to make use of a house that's much to big for us since our own kids left home.
My elderly mother is in the process of listing a studio apartment in the building she owns that I will manage for her. She nearly listed with some shady company with lots of complaints and legal action being taken against them.
I've almost talked my sister into listing a condo she owns in Scottsdale AZ. That's what I was doing in this group.
I love the philosophy of Airbnb. That fact that all members have access to the whole site is good and helpful to people.
I'm finding this groups conversation to be tremendously helpful in learning what to do and what not to do.
It just so happened I had just spent hours looking at listings for our upcoming trips.
All I wanted to do was encourage these very upset hosts that there are people who don't care about stars or SH status. I look at reviews and if I can get a good comfortable quiet nights sleep.
You don't even appear to have a real problem with other people's commenting.
I hope Airbnb never changes its policy on its groups.
I find it insulting to be talked about as though I'm not here.
This ISNT a private group, there are thousands of members. Perhaps you should create a private group on Facebook.
Reply Like 8 replies
Carrie
Carriea year ago
Tracy - I'm so sorry that this post is so upsetting to you. In no way was it directed at you - I brought up your name only because you were a recent poster who does not currently have a listing associated with your profile. I used you as an example, and if it felt to you like I did so in a negative or insulting way, I'm so sorry. You have my sincere apologies. When these groups were first put in place by Airbnb, they marketed them as a place for hosts to talk about hosting & issues with guests. The assumption for many of us, myself included, was that these groups were exclusively for hosts - not a place to be exclusive, so much, as a place to discuss issues with our Airbnb hosting colleagues. I want to apologize again for any bad feelings. In no way did I intend that, and I understand that by mentioning your name, it easily could have felt like I was singling you out.
Rebecca
Rebeccaa year ago
I'm sorry also that you are upset. You are right that it is rude to be discussed as if you're not there. But the fact remains, Tracy, that you are not a host and therefore should not be here. These groups, as Carrie says, are intended for hosts. They are meant to be a source of advice and support for HOSTS. If guests can join as well, it defeats the purpose. For example, imagine that a host is having a very difficult and challenging experience with a guest and is seeking advice on what to do and how to resolve the situation. If the guest in question is also allowed to be on the group and read and comment on everything that is said - how is that going to be helpful? It would end up as a free-for-all and hosts would no longer feel free to post. Surely you can see that? You are obviously a thoughtful person with good intentions but not everybody is like that.... It's not as if we don't have guest perspectives either - many hosts also use Airbnb as guests so we do see both sides of the situation.
Carrie
Carriea year ago
I just want to add, that, in retrospect, I made a poor choice by naming you & quoting what you said here. My sincere apologies for the thoughtlessness of those actions.
Rebecca
Rebeccaa year ago
Just to add, it's great that you are planning to become a host and I wish you all the best with that. But you're not a host yet so yeah, you kind of did just walk off the street and gatecrash a private party. These ARE private groups. For a good reason.
Julie and Eric
Julie and Erica year ago
Hi Tracy - glad to have you in the discussions. Your name came up for the reasons Carrie and Rebecca mentioned - we always thought the groups were solely for hosts, so we were curious how you were able to access the groups - toward that end, do you have a listing started on Airbnb? We're always trying to figure out how the system works because it's not transparent and is constantly changing. I thought your comments on the other post were very helpful. Wish you the best of luck in your future hosting endeavors!
Sharyn
Sharyna year ago
Host - Ethics - like a doctor
Stan & Maggie
Stan & Maggiea year ago
Good luck with your endeavors Tracy. I realized awhile ago that the groups are open to guests which I feel is a shame as sometimes is good to share a joke or vent with business colleagues
Paul
Paula year ago
Interesting. Airbnb treat Groups with zero priority, I'm not surprised Guests can somehow get in here... which for the majority they cannot. Will be checking with my partners Guest only account tomorrow.
Tracy
Tracya year ago
Quit talking about me as though I'm not here and as if I've done something wrong.
Reply Like 1 reply
Rebecca
Rebeccaa year ago
We're not any more, this is a direct conversation! Don't be shy or embarrassed, that won't help when you're a host believe me! It is interesting to hear your perspective on things.
Alexina
Alexinaa year ago
I don't feel comfortable with a non-host having access to these host forums because I believe it would defeat the purpose of being able to discuss sensitive topics openly.
Reply Like 1 reply•1 like
Bekah and Brian
Bekah and Briana year ago
Neither do I. I always assumed guests were lurking, but it does feel weird.
Alexina
Alexinaa year ago
I just looked, and the banner reads, "Welcome to Airbrb Groups. Learn how to be a better host from people like you." Thus, by definition, it specifically excludes non-hosts. (I am an active host, as well as a frequent guest.)
Reply Like 4 replies
Julie and Eric
Julie and Erica year ago
The above phrase is pretty ambiguous. I think if it said "You must be a host to enter" it would specifically exclude non-hosts.
Rebecca
Rebeccaa year ago
It seems pretty clear to me that the groups are meant for hosts only. But Airbnb doesn't give a rat's ass about the groups so it's all moot.
Tracy
Tracya year ago
It seems pretty clear to me that they want new members to learn from seasoned members.
Sharyn
Sharyna year ago
I saw a post where a guest said she was surfing the forums to find a host. Maybe that's why some seem like spam my adds. To me is just best to be honest and yourself, but do not discuss guests in a derogatory fashion.
Norma and Patrick
Norma and Patricka year ago
They want hosts to share experiences and solve problems. These groups are not for new Airbnb members. There is nothing vague or ambiguous about the target membership of Airbnb groups.
Reply Like 1 reply•2 likes
Julie and Eric
Julie and Erica year ago
The new host group is specifically for new Airbnb hosts, and many other groups encourage new Airbnb hosts to join and participate.
Julie and Eric
Julie and Erica year ago
I was able to join this group today with my test account only after creating (an incomplete) listing yesterday. It required that I upload a profile picture and agree to this:
Agreement
By proceeding, you affirm that you have read the Airbnb Content Guidelines. Everything you post in a public Airbnb Group is publicly accessible, search-indexed and linked to your Airbnb profile. Do not post anything in any Group that you would not include in a listing, review or profile. We reserve the right to review Group content and to remove (in whole or in part) content that violates Airbnb's Content Guidelines or Terms of Service, or for any other reason. Content in the Airbnb Community Groups is not endorsed or approved by Airbnb.
Reply Like 2 replies•2 likes
Carrie
Carriea year ago
Thanks for doing that research, Julie & Eric. Really good to know. I suppose that an actively moderated group could include only hosts, but the guidelines definitely do imply that the groups are open.
Sharyn
Sharyna year ago
A marketers dream, user created content
Deborah
www.airbnb.com/groups/content/content-103019
Non Hosts in the Group
Several times, throughout these groups, I've seen non-hosts posting on the groups - profiles with no listing associated with their profile. I understand that some hosts could have (temporarily) deactivated listings, but I just saw a comment from someone on the "not fair" post from someone that had no listing & no reviews - she pretty much identified her self as a guest & not a host. (I have no ill will against that particular guest)
I'd thought that Airbnb had things set up so that hosts were the only ones who could even access these groups. If they are actually open groups, that gives us a good deal less leeway to talk freely about guest issue we may be having.
8 comments•5 likes
Follow
Like
nicky
Alexina
Nic and Rach
Stan & Maggie
Poly
Salvia
Salviaa year ago
UNFORTUNATELY everybody with a profile can join and I see the problem/effort to control the access by the Group moderators. Is there somebody with good relationship to Airbnb to get them to work on that IT-wise?
Reply Like 6 replies•2 likes
Rebecca
Rebeccaa year ago
You have to register as a host, though, to gain access to the groups. That's why it is not entirely comfortable, for me, to see a guest blithely posting away when they clearly have registered on the site incorrectly. I don't have anything against them personally either but really they should not be here, in my opinion.
Julie and Eric
Julie and Erica year ago
Do you mean that the member has to have a listing? I tested with a test account without a listing and it said "Thanks! We'll notify you" when I went to www.airbnb.com/groups. I could not navigate beyond that. It's easy enough to add a listing, I guess.
Rebecca
Rebeccaa year ago
Maybe they've changed it but some months ago I registered as a host with an email address that I'd just created. I then joined and posted on one of the groups. I did it to prove a point. The whole process took less than 5 minutes. It's good if they've changed it. But I am tempted to try again just to see....!
Carrie
Carriea year ago
Julie & Eric - the person who posted on "not fair" (Tracy) has no listing, and stated in that post "I am surfing for rentals and stumbled into this conversation."
Rebecca
Rebeccaa year ago
I just tried again to create an account and access the groups but you're right, Julie&Eric, the system has changed. Previously you needed to specify whether you were registering as a guest or a host. Now you just register and when you try to access the groups, like you say - a 'we'll notify you' message pops up. This is a good thing I guess although I'm secretly a bit disappointed. Last time I was William Comptom from Beautemps. This time I was going to be Robert Crawley from Grantham. @carrie, I guess Tracy registered before the changes to the system. Good to know though - do you want to host a guest who can't even read the most basic of instructions? Although as we know from the Anecdotes group, guests are not the only ones who don't bother to read anything
Julie and Eric
Julie and Erica year ago
Yep - I tried again with another test account and got a screen that said "request invite" which I clicked, then the "notify you." So maybe they allow some people? Here are the screens: imgur.com/JZjtlfn My test accounts are so super boring they don't even have names.
BTW mine were created in August, and Tracy in September.Julie and Eric
Julie and Erica year ago
Agree - guests can read (and sometimes post) in the groups. Heck, I've even posted about hosts that weren't the best guests.
Having been an organizer for a short time, I can tell you how extremely basic the groups are:
1. Title, description, welcome email, location
2. Option to allow everyone (any Airbnb member), or that moderator is approval required
3. Lovely list of members with profile pics and names only in join date order only that loads 20 members at a time*
4. Ability to remove members from the group
5. Ability to make members organizers (not moderators) - if you can find them (see #3)
Unfortunately, I can only imagine any changes to groups is at the very tail end of any development work Airbnb is planning, although it would be nice to have a better interface for organizers, like the ability to search for group members, ban them, view their status as a host at a glance, only allow members that have active or inactive listings/reviews, keep track of actions by organizers, have an authorization level of moderator, etc.
I wonder how many guests would actually read the groups? My takeaway is I need to be more diplomatic about how I discuss guests until groups are transformed.
*I tried numerous times to find an Aussie host to add as an organizer at the previous organizer's request and the page gave out after 6 months - using a macro to perform the page downs overnight.
Reply Like 6 likes
Tracy
Tracya year ago
Pardon me to pieces.
First of all I HAVE in fact used Airbnb as a guest but not under my own name. My adult daughter has booked our lodging on several trips because she likes to pick the place we stay and I don't care what she chooses.
We use my husbands membership and mileage credit card for other past trips.
AND I am planning a trip to Boston this March for 1 week intending to use Airbnb AND I am going to Europe for 5 weeks this fall intending to use Airbnb. In addition I work in an art gallery in Seattle's Pike Place Market which is the number 1 tourist attraction in the entire NW. I am sometimes asked about lodgings for people that are visiting.
I'm not just a person that walked in to a cocktail party off the street interrupting a private conversation.
I am remodeling a bedroom in our house to use for guests, we have been Homestay parents for 7 years to supplement our income. I want to make use of a house that's much to big for us since our own kids left home.
My elderly mother is in the process of listing a studio apartment in the building she owns that I will manage for her. She nearly listed with some shady company with lots of complaints and legal action being taken against them.
I've almost talked my sister into listing a condo she owns in Scottsdale AZ. That's what I was doing in this group.
I love the philosophy of Airbnb. That fact that all members have access to the whole site is good and helpful to people.
I'm finding this groups conversation to be tremendously helpful in learning what to do and what not to do.
It just so happened I had just spent hours looking at listings for our upcoming trips.
All I wanted to do was encourage these very upset hosts that there are people who don't care about stars or SH status. I look at reviews and if I can get a good comfortable quiet nights sleep.
You don't even appear to have a real problem with other people's commenting.
I hope Airbnb never changes its policy on its groups.
I find it insulting to be talked about as though I'm not here.
This ISNT a private group, there are thousands of members. Perhaps you should create a private group on Facebook.
Reply Like 8 replies
Carrie
Carriea year ago
Tracy - I'm so sorry that this post is so upsetting to you. In no way was it directed at you - I brought up your name only because you were a recent poster who does not currently have a listing associated with your profile. I used you as an example, and if it felt to you like I did so in a negative or insulting way, I'm so sorry. You have my sincere apologies. When these groups were first put in place by Airbnb, they marketed them as a place for hosts to talk about hosting & issues with guests. The assumption for many of us, myself included, was that these groups were exclusively for hosts - not a place to be exclusive, so much, as a place to discuss issues with our Airbnb hosting colleagues. I want to apologize again for any bad feelings. In no way did I intend that, and I understand that by mentioning your name, it easily could have felt like I was singling you out.
Rebecca
Rebeccaa year ago
I'm sorry also that you are upset. You are right that it is rude to be discussed as if you're not there. But the fact remains, Tracy, that you are not a host and therefore should not be here. These groups, as Carrie says, are intended for hosts. They are meant to be a source of advice and support for HOSTS. If guests can join as well, it defeats the purpose. For example, imagine that a host is having a very difficult and challenging experience with a guest and is seeking advice on what to do and how to resolve the situation. If the guest in question is also allowed to be on the group and read and comment on everything that is said - how is that going to be helpful? It would end up as a free-for-all and hosts would no longer feel free to post. Surely you can see that? You are obviously a thoughtful person with good intentions but not everybody is like that.... It's not as if we don't have guest perspectives either - many hosts also use Airbnb as guests so we do see both sides of the situation.
Carrie
Carriea year ago
I just want to add, that, in retrospect, I made a poor choice by naming you & quoting what you said here. My sincere apologies for the thoughtlessness of those actions.
Rebecca
Rebeccaa year ago
Just to add, it's great that you are planning to become a host and I wish you all the best with that. But you're not a host yet so yeah, you kind of did just walk off the street and gatecrash a private party. These ARE private groups. For a good reason.
Julie and Eric
Julie and Erica year ago
Hi Tracy - glad to have you in the discussions. Your name came up for the reasons Carrie and Rebecca mentioned - we always thought the groups were solely for hosts, so we were curious how you were able to access the groups - toward that end, do you have a listing started on Airbnb? We're always trying to figure out how the system works because it's not transparent and is constantly changing. I thought your comments on the other post were very helpful. Wish you the best of luck in your future hosting endeavors!
Sharyn
Sharyna year ago
Host - Ethics - like a doctor
Stan & Maggie
Stan & Maggiea year ago
Good luck with your endeavors Tracy. I realized awhile ago that the groups are open to guests which I feel is a shame as sometimes is good to share a joke or vent with business colleagues
Paul
Paula year ago
Interesting. Airbnb treat Groups with zero priority, I'm not surprised Guests can somehow get in here... which for the majority they cannot. Will be checking with my partners Guest only account tomorrow.
Tracy
Tracya year ago
Quit talking about me as though I'm not here and as if I've done something wrong.
Reply Like 1 reply
Rebecca
Rebeccaa year ago
We're not any more, this is a direct conversation! Don't be shy or embarrassed, that won't help when you're a host believe me! It is interesting to hear your perspective on things.
Alexina
Alexinaa year ago
I don't feel comfortable with a non-host having access to these host forums because I believe it would defeat the purpose of being able to discuss sensitive topics openly.
Reply Like 1 reply•1 like
Bekah and Brian
Bekah and Briana year ago
Neither do I. I always assumed guests were lurking, but it does feel weird.
Alexina
Alexinaa year ago
I just looked, and the banner reads, "Welcome to Airbrb Groups. Learn how to be a better host from people like you." Thus, by definition, it specifically excludes non-hosts. (I am an active host, as well as a frequent guest.)
Reply Like 4 replies
Julie and Eric
Julie and Erica year ago
The above phrase is pretty ambiguous. I think if it said "You must be a host to enter" it would specifically exclude non-hosts.
Rebecca
Rebeccaa year ago
It seems pretty clear to me that the groups are meant for hosts only. But Airbnb doesn't give a rat's ass about the groups so it's all moot.
Tracy
Tracya year ago
It seems pretty clear to me that they want new members to learn from seasoned members.
Sharyn
Sharyna year ago
I saw a post where a guest said she was surfing the forums to find a host. Maybe that's why some seem like spam my adds. To me is just best to be honest and yourself, but do not discuss guests in a derogatory fashion.
Norma and Patrick
Norma and Patricka year ago
They want hosts to share experiences and solve problems. These groups are not for new Airbnb members. There is nothing vague or ambiguous about the target membership of Airbnb groups.
Reply Like 1 reply•2 likes
Julie and Eric
Julie and Erica year ago
The new host group is specifically for new Airbnb hosts, and many other groups encourage new Airbnb hosts to join and participate.
Julie and Eric
Julie and Erica year ago
I was able to join this group today with my test account only after creating (an incomplete) listing yesterday. It required that I upload a profile picture and agree to this:
Agreement
By proceeding, you affirm that you have read the Airbnb Content Guidelines. Everything you post in a public Airbnb Group is publicly accessible, search-indexed and linked to your Airbnb profile. Do not post anything in any Group that you would not include in a listing, review or profile. We reserve the right to review Group content and to remove (in whole or in part) content that violates Airbnb's Content Guidelines or Terms of Service, or for any other reason. Content in the Airbnb Community Groups is not endorsed or approved by Airbnb.
Reply Like 2 replies•2 likes
Carrie
Carriea year ago
Thanks for doing that research, Julie & Eric. Really good to know. I suppose that an actively moderated group could include only hosts, but the guidelines definitely do imply that the groups are open.
Sharyn
Sharyna year ago
A marketers dream, user created content
Deborah