A Review Is Unfair or Untrue — Can I Get It Removed?
No — Airbnb will not remove a review just for being unfair, exaggerated, or factually wrong. Airbnb doesn't fact-check opinions. Removal requires a specific policy breach (harassment, private info, extortion, fake, irrelevant, or retaliatory). If none applies, a calm public response is your best move.
Why 'it's a lie' usually isn't enough
This is the single most important thing to accept before spending hours with support: Airbnb does not adjudicate whether a review is accurate. A guest's genuine impression — even a wrong one — is allowed to stand.
- "It was dirty" when you'd cleaned → their genuine impression. Stays.
- "No parking" when parking exists → still their experience. Stays.
- "Overpriced" → an opinion. Stays.
What actually protects you
When removal is off the table, a well-written public response does more for your bookings than a removed review would — because future guests read how you handle criticism.
- 1Check the review against the six removal grounds one more time.
- 2If none fit, write a calm, brief public reply aimed at future guests.
- 3Correct one key inaccuracy factually, own anything real, and end positively.
Check your review in ~30 seconds — free
Paste the review. We'll tell you honestly whether Airbnb's policy makes it removable — and give you the exact words if it is. No login, no account access.
Check my review — freeFrequently asked questions
So Airbnb just lets people lie in reviews?
Effectively, for matters of opinion and experience, yes — they don't fact-check. The protection they offer is against policy breaches (abuse, privacy, extortion, fakes), not against inaccuracy. That's why a strong public response matters so much.
Can I get Airbnb to add a note that the review is disputed?
No — there's no 'disputed' label. Your public response is the only on-listing way to give future guests your side, so make it calm and convincing.
Is there ever an exception for a clearly false factual claim?
Only if the false claim also breaks a ground — for example, a fabricated review from someone who never stayed. A false statement inside a genuine guest's review generally stays up.
Sources
This guide reflects Airbnb's own published policies. Verify against the primary source, as Airbnb can update its policy: