Connect with Fellow Travelers on Airbnb’s New Social Feature
▼ Summary
– Airbnb now allows users to connect with fellow travelers by viewing participant details for booked experiences and using a chat feature to share photos or make plans after the event.
– The app includes privacy controls that let users choose whether to share their profile picture, name, and location, with a default setting to not share if they dismiss the prompt.
– Search improvements introduce scrollable carousels showing properties just outside users’ criteria, such as price range, amenities, or nearby locations, to help discover more options.
– The Maps view has been redesigned to display points of interest like landmarks and restaurants, with details on their distance from rental properties.
– Airbnb’s AI assistant is expanding to Mexico and Canada with multilingual support and now offers personalized answers and quick action cards for tasks like cancellations.
Airbnb’s latest update introduces a social networking layer designed to help travelers connect with each other during shared activities. The platform is also rolling out smarter search tools that highlight properties just outside your original criteria, alongside a redesigned Maps view that pinpoints nearby landmarks, restaurants, and attractions. These changes build on the company’s earlier launch of bookable Experiences, signaling a clear shift toward fostering community among users.
When you reserve an Experience, such as a cooking class or guided tour, you’ll now see the names and hometowns of other participants. After the event concludes, the app allows you to send connection requests to people you met. Once accepted, you can exchange photos or coordinate future plans through Airbnb’s messaging system. All accepted connections appear in a new Connections tab on your profile, making it easy to stay in touch.
Privacy controls remain central to the design. During booking, a prompt asks whether you want to share your profile photo, name, and location. If you skip this step, the app defaults to a private setting, displaying only the picture and initials you’ve selected. Users can block or report others at any time, and Airbnb’s community team will review those reports. You also retain the ability to remove a connection after accepting it.
These social tools were previewed during Airbnb’s summer release, with the goal of encouraging interaction that could lead to more bookings. Still, the company must address the moderation challenges common to chat-based platforms.
Alongside these social features, Airbnb is enhancing its search functionality. The platform now displays three scrollable carousels in search results. One shows properties slightly above or below your specified price range, another includes listings missing one or two of your selected amenities, and a third suggests rentals in nearby areas that otherwise match your preferences. This approach reflects user behavior, many travelers adjust their filters or book outside their original parameters.
The updated Maps view adds another layer of convenience. It highlights points of interest near your rental or a location you’re exploring, complete with descriptions and distances. Tapping on a restaurant or landmark provides quick context, encouraging deeper engagement with the app throughout a trip.
Finally, Airbnb’s AI assistant, initially launched for U.S. customer service, is expanding to Mexico and Canada. The assistant now supports English, Spanish, and French, and offers personalized answers based on your profile, booking history, and active reservations. In-chat quick action cards also simplify tasks like cancellations or date changes, streamlining the support experience.
(Source: TechCrunch)
