Summary of Airbnb's New Off Platform Policy is INSANE

The video discusses Airbnb's newly implemented off-platform policy, which takes effect immediately and significantly restricts how hosts can interact with guests outside of Airbnb’s platform. The policy primarily targets large professional operators (like Sonder and Stay Alfred) who use off-platform tools and apps to build direct relationships with guests, thereby circumventing Airbnb’s ecosystem.

Main Financial Strategies and Business Trends:

Airbnb is cracking down on hosts and property managers who use third-party apps or software to communicate, market, or collect payments outside Airbnb.
The platform is favoring hotels by granting them more flexibility in collecting fees and deposits off-platform, while restricting hosts from similar practices.
Airbnb aims to retain full control over guest relationships, data, and payments to prevent large operators from diverting guests away from Airbnb.
The policy is designed to prevent off-platform bookings, direct payment collection, and guest data sharing to protect Airbnb’s commission-based revenue model.
This move could potentially lead to legal challenges (e.g., class action lawsuits) due to Airbnb’s heavy-handed control and possible tortious interference with hosts’ independent businesses.

Key Policy Points and Restrictions:

Guest Information: Hosts cannot share, sell, or use guest contact information for marketing or communications outside Airbnb.
Payment Collection: Hosts cannot collect fees (e.g., parking, taxes) off-platform unless they are hotel partners; all fees must be included in the nightly rate or mandatory fee sections.
Guest Reviews: Hosts are prohibited from soliciting guest reviews or feedback off-platform, including informal surveys or feedback cards.
Access Methods: Hosts cannot require guests to use proprietary apps or third-party software (e.g., TouchStay, guest apps for smart locks) to access properties. Physical keys or key codes must be offered as an option.
Account Creation: Hosts cannot ask guests to create accounts or register on other websites or apps outside Airbnb.
Direct Booking and Payment: Encouraging direct bookings or collecting payments outside Airbnb is banned unless the host is a hotel partner with specific permissions.
Security Deposits: Allowed only through Airbnb or approved channel managers; hosts must rely on Airbnb’s AirCover for damage claims.

Potential Impacts:

The policy heavily impacts professional operators and hosts using technology to streamline operations and guest management.
Companies providing guest apps, Wi-Fi email gates (e.g., StayFi), channel managers, and ancillary service providers (e.g., for massages or upgrades) may face restrictions or bans.
Hosts lose flexibility in managing guest relations, collecting additional revenue, and protecting their properties independently.
The policy may provoke legal disputes over Airbnb’s control and the rights of hosts as independent business operators.

Methodology/Steps for Hosts to Comply:

Review the full off-platform policy linked in the video description.
Stop sharing or using guest contact information outside Airbnb unless explicitly permitted.
Ensure all fees are included in Airbnb’s mandatory fee sections or nightly rates.
Eliminate mandatory use of third-party apps for property access; provide physical keys or codes as alternatives.
Avoid asking guests to create accounts or register on other platforms.
Cease encouraging or facilitating direct bookings and off-platform payments.
Use Airbnb’s official channels (AirCover) for damage claims and security deposits.
Monitor Airbnb’s enforcement closely and prepare for potential disputes or changes.

Presenters/Sources:

The video is presented by a host who teaches Airbnb hosting strategies and shares breaking news related to Airbnb policies. No other specific presenters or external sources are named.

Notable Quotes

— 00:57 — « Sonder will get a customer on Airbnb and the customer will go to arrive to a SER property and SER is like well here download our app because you need it to access the door. You cannot come to our place without launching our own proprietary stuff. »

— 02:58 — « Airbnb is banning the collection of payments off platform for fees like taxes or anything like that. All of the fees that you collect must be either listed in one of the mandatory fee sections or it must be baked into your nightly rate. »

— 09:05 — « This new policy defanging hosts and their ability to run their own independent businesses the way that they see fit because Airbnb is trying to control that. »

— 09:22 — « This policy could blow up Airbnb's face and turn into a class action lawsuit because they're defanging hosts but they're like what is called a torturous interference. »

— 09:35 — « They've taken away our ability to collect cash to pursue guests for damages or losses and say you have to rely on air cover, but then if air cover doesn't give us correct due process and doesn't sufficiently make us whole, there will be a class action lawsuit on our hands. »