Airbnb is a global online marketplace that connects people who want to rent out their homes, rooms, or unique spaces with travelers looking for places to stay. Instead of booking a traditional hotel, guests use Airbnb to find short‑term or extended stays in apartments, houses, villas, cabins, and even more unusual spaces like treehouses, boats, or tiny homes.

How Airbnb Works

Airbnb operates as a platform, not a hotel chain. It doesn’t own properties; it provides the technology, marketplace, and tools for hosts and guests to connect and transact safely.

For Guests

1. Search for a place to stay

   • Enter your destination, travel dates, and number of guests
   • Filter by price, property type, amenities, and more
   • Browse listings with photos, descriptions, house rules, and reviews

2. Review listing details

   • Read about the space, sleeping arrangements, and amenities
   • Check the location area (exact address is typically shown after booking)
   • Review the cancellation policy and house rules
   • Look at guest reviews and host ratings

3. Book and pay

   • Choose your dates and see the total cost (nightly rate + cleaning fee + service fee + taxes)
   • Some listings allow Instant Book (no host approval needed)
   • Others require you to send a booking request with a short introduction
   • Pay securely via Airbnb using a card or other available payment methods

4. Stay and review

   • Communicate with the host via Airbnb’s messaging system
   • Check in following the host’s instructions
   • After the stay, both guest and host can leave reviews for each other

For Hosts

1. Create a listing

   • Describe the space (entire place, private room, or shared room)
   • Add high‑quality photos and a clear description
   • Set house rules, availability, and pricing

2. Accept bookings

   • Choose Instant Book or manual approval
   • Communicate with guests to answer questions and set expectations

3. Host the stay

   • Prepare the space (cleaning, essentials, check‑in instructions)
   • Be available via messages for questions or issues

4. Get paid

   • Airbnb collects payment from the guest in advance
   • Hosts are paid typically 24 hours after check‑in
   • Airbnb charges hosts a service fee (usually a percentage of the booking)

Key Features of Airbnb

Wide Range of Property Types

Airbnb offers more variety than most traditional accommodations:

• Entire homes and apartments
• Private rooms (you share common spaces with the host or other guests)
• Shared rooms (similar to a hostel experience)
• Unique stays:
  • Treehouses
  • Tiny houses
  • Cabins and cottages
  • Yurts and domes
  • Boats and houseboats
  • Castles and historic buildings

This variety is a core part of what defines Airbnb and differentiates it from standard hotel bookings.

Experiences and Activities

Beyond accommodations, Airbnb also offers Airbnb Experiences, where local hosts provide:

• Tours and city walks
• Cooking classes and food tastings
• Outdoor adventures
• Cultural workshops and creative classes
• Virtual experiences (online classes and events)

These experiences are designed to help travelers connect more deeply with local culture and communities.

Reviews and Ratings

Airbnb uses a mutual review system:

• Guests review hosts and properties
• Hosts review guests
• Both ratings contribute to trust and transparency
• High‑rated hosts can become Superhosts, a status that signals exceptional hospitality and reliability

Safety and Security Features

To keep the platform safe and trustworthy, Airbnb includes:

• Identity verification tools for hosts and guests
• Secure payment processing (no cash exchange)
• Messaging system that keeps contact details private until booking is confirmed
• Host guarantees and damage protection programs (terms and limits apply)
• 24/7 customer support in many regions

How Airbnb Makes Money

Airbnb’s business model is based on service fees:

• Guest fee: A percentage of the booking subtotal
• Host fee: Typically a smaller percentage of each booking
• In some markets, Airbnb uses a “host‑only fee” model (hosts pay the entire fee and can factor it into pricing)

Because Airbnb is a marketplace, its revenues scale as more hosts list properties and more guests book stays.

Benefits of Using Airbnb

For Travelers

• More space for your money (especially for families or groups)
• Kitchen and laundry facilities for longer stays
• Live like a local in residential neighborhoods, not just tourist zones
• Access to unique properties that hotels rarely offer
• Often competitive prices compared to hotels, especially outside peak times

For Hosts

• Extra income from spare rooms or second homes
• Flexible hosting—choose when and how often to rent out your space
• Ability to meet people from around the world
• Tools for pricing, calendar management, and guest communication

Common Concerns and Criticisms

While Airbnb is popular, it also attracts debate and regulation.

Regulatory and Housing Issues

• Some cities argue that short‑term rentals reduce long‑term housing supply and raise rents
• Local governments may require registration, permits, or limit the number of days a property can be rented
• Airbnb must adapt to changing local laws and licensing rules

Guest and Host Risks

• Property damage or theft (partly mitigated by Airbnb’s protections and deposits)
• Misleading listings or inaccurate photos
• Noise or neighbor complaints
• Cancellations (by either host or guest) that disrupt travel plans

Carefully reading reviews, house rules, and policies is essential before booking or hosting.

How Airbnb Compares to Hotels

Airbnb and hotels each have strengths:

Airbnb advantages:

• More space and character
• Kitchens and home‑style amenities
• Often better for long stays and group trips
• Immersive local experiences

Hotel advantages:

• On‑site staff and standardized service
• Daily housekeeping (in many cases)
• Loyalty programs and points
• Predictable quality and facilities

Many travelers now mix both options depending on the destination, length of stay, and purpose of the trip.

Getting Started with Airbnb

If you’re new and asking “What is Airbnb?” in a practical sense, here’s how to begin:

As a Guest

1. Create an Airbnb account (email, phone number, and ID verification may be required)
2. Complete your profile with a photo and short bio
3. Search for your destination and apply filters (price, entire place vs room, amenities)
4. Read reviews and house rules carefully
5. Book and communicate with your host through the platform

As a Host

1. Check local laws and building rules about short‑term rentals
2. Create a clear, honest listing with good photos
3. Set competitive pricing using Airbnb’s pricing tools and local comparisons
4. Prepare the space with essentials (clean sheets, towels, Wi‑Fi, basic toiletries)
5. Respond quickly to inquiries and maintain high communication standards
6. Encourage guests to leave reviews after their stay

The Role of Technology in Airbnb’s Growth

Airbnb is fundamentally a tech platform, and a lot of its success comes from:

• Search and discovery algorithms that surface relevant listings
• Dynamic pricing tools to help hosts optimize rates
• Trust systems based on reviews, verification, and platform policies
• Mobile apps that allow booking, communication, and self check‑in on the go

As search evolves and AI‑driven recommendations become more prominent, Airbnb continues optimizing how its listings appear and how they’re matched with traveler preferences.

Is Airbnb Right for You?

Whether Airbnb is the right choice depends on:

• Your budget and trip length
• Your comfort level staying in someone’s home or residential building
• Your need for hotel‑style services vs home‑style amenities
• Local regulations and availability in your chosen destination

For many travelers and hosts, Airbnb offers flexibility, variety, and value that traditional models can’t match. Understanding what Airbnb is—a global marketplace connecting local hosts with guests, powered by technology and a community review system—helps you decide how to use it effectively and safely.