Can you have Instabook for some bookings but review reservations for longer ones?

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25

I had forgotten that they clamped down that little loophole, and that we got around that clampdown by referencing the listing number… not quite as effective as a URL, but better than nothing. We have reciprocal references between our two related listings:

Looking for a larger space? We can enlarge this suite to a two-bedroom configuration by adding an adjacent spare bedroom that otherwise remains locked and unused. The two-bedroom configuration is suitable for three or four guests (depending on age and sleeping arrangements) and can also accommodate an extra child on the single daybed.

The two-bedroom configuration includes the same private kitchen and private bathroom as the one-bedroom suite described above. The full Airbnb listing (and reservations link) for the Two-Bedroom Fireside Suite is located at Airbnb listing 5230957

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26

So I just tried to do that for my listing and I got this warning message from Airbnb: “Phone and other personal numbers aren’t allowed in listing descriptions. Remove ’ 687061339727999248) ’ to continue publishing your listing—always communicate directly through Airbnb.”

!! GRR

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Your listing number is 687061339727999248? Maybe they allowed mine to go public unchallenged because it’s only seven digits and yours – at 18 digits – looks more like a phone number to the Airbnb Artificial Unintelligence (AAU) routine monitoring our listings. Have you tried the SuperHost help desk – they may have a way of seeking override (but that would first require connecting with Stateside CS with the intelligence and the self-confidence to understand that this particular redaction works against the self interest of Airbnb Inc., and want to try to get you a fix [Okay everyone… stop laughing…])

Veering off-topic a bit:
I had no idea that the numerical value of listing numbers had grown by 11 orders of magnitude since we got ours seven or eight years ago. Maybe subsequent generations of assigned numbers incorporated extra digits coding for location or type of property.

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29

Anyone have any guesses as to why Airbnb wouldn’t allow links to other Airbnb listings? It seems so pointless to me. What can they possibly be trying to prevent? Surely their AI can tell the difference between an Airbnb listing and some other link.

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30

That would assume their code is rigorously tested for faulty logic and for algorithms that undermine the business model of the company before going live, and we all know that doesn’t happen.

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31

We found this feature did not connect the dots for guests nearly as well as a bit of narrative (and a link) embedded in the listing… narrative that takes the prospective guest by the hand and says – “If this listing isn’t quite right for your needs, we have another one that [you make your case with surgical targeting].” This sells the alternate property and lays out a specific call to action, the linking info put in by the system barely provides breadcrumbs.

In our case, we appeal directly to the prospective by saying " like what you see but want more space/beds… we can help with that" or “Like what you see but looking for something a bit less expensive (smaller = lower price-point)?.. we can help with that.”

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32

I think you are giving guests too much credit for being able to figure this out. :laughing: Nothing wrong with giving them more direction. Some need it.

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34

Yes, but they used to allow Airbnb links, so I would assume there was some human decision, for some reason, to reprogram the software.
Of course, the human-made decisions at Airbnb often don’t follow what most people would consider to be logical or wise.

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I’ve worked on corporate “transformations” where the coders update the rules to achieve “A” and – with inadequate testing – don’t even realize they’ve created unintended consequence “B”. When “B” is brought to their attention, they put it on the list of fixes that will be included in the NEXT big update in 12 months. Don’t assume “human decisions,” especially with a company like Airbnb which is famous for going live with “not-quite-ready-for-primetime” software updates.

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