Reputation defense · Airbnb

How to Remove a Fake Airbnb Review

A fraudulent Airbnb review can drag down your rating. Here is how to tell a fake from a fair complaint, flag it correctly, and escalate if Airbnb says no.

A single fake review on Airbnb can pull your rating down and reach customers who never hear your side. Airbnb does remove reviews that break its rules, but only when you flag them correctly and make the right case. Acting fast and accurately matters more than acting loudly.

Recognizing a Fake vs. a Negative Review

Under Airbnb's review guidelines, a harsh review from a real customer is allowed, even when you disagree with it. Airbnb reviews come only from guests who completed a booking, so fakes are rare. You can report a review that breaks Airbnb's review policy, such as one that is biased, retaliatory, or does not describe a genuine experience.

The Exact Steps to Flag a Review on Airbnb

  1. Open your Airbnb hosting dashboard and go to Reviews.
  2. Find the review and use the Report option.
  3. Select the policy violation — for example, retaliatory review or content that is not about the stay.
  4. Submit the report; Airbnb's Trust & Safety team reviews it.
  5. Note that Airbnb's review policy covers retaliatory and biased content, not simply negative feedback.

What to Do if Airbnb Rejects Your Appeal

Airbnb upholds many reviews on first pass, so a rejection is common. Reply to the decision with any evidence that the review is fraudulent and name the specific guideline it breaks. While the review stands, post a calm, factual public response so future readers see a measured owner rather than an unanswered claim.

Stop Reacting, Start Defending

Most fake reviews are spotted too late, after they have already cost you customers. Speed matters because a review flagged while it is fresh is easier to act on. Saint Aura notifies you whenever a new review lands, so you can review and report a fake right away. It also gives unhappy customers a private feedback path so your team hears about service concerns directly — helping reduce the chance they escalate into a public review.

Collect more authentic Airbnb reviews with Saint Aura

Saint Aura makes it easier for customers to share their real experience — through a QR-based guided flow, in their own language, with an AI-assisted draft they can edit before posting.

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