Airbnb Superhosts have higher occupancy rates, higher revenue, and more visibility on the Airbnb platform. Here’s how to become one, according to AirDNA data. 

Airbnb Superhost: How to Become One in 2024

Airbnb Superhost: How to Become One in 2024 (According to Data)

Highly rated hosts who provide consistently exceptional guest experiences can achieve Airbnb Superhost status.

Superhosts on Airbnb have higher occupancy rates and higher annual revenue potential than non-Superhosts. 

There is no silver bullet to becoming a Superhost, but there are a few steps you can take to create five-star-review-worthy experiences. 

Airbnb launched its Superhost program in 2016 to reward its most devoted hosts with a special VIP status. Yet, being an Airbnb Superhost is about more than bragging rights alone. 

Those who achieve Airbnb Superhost status reap benefits such as improved search placement, better booking conversions, and even more revenue, according to Airbnb. Many guests—perhaps yourself included—are simply more likely to book with a Superhost than a regular host. No matter how you slice it, the title carries weight.

In this guide, we’ll provide insights into the meaning of Airbnb Superhost status, the requirements for becoming a Superhost, and tips for achieving this coveted status.

An Airbnb Superhost is a designation granted to experienced and highly-rated hosts on the platform who consistently provide exceptional hospitality and meet certain criteria set by Airbnb. 

The Airbnb Superhost program was established in response to the need for consistent experiences on the platform, particularly in light of the limitations of Airbnb's rating system. 

It can be difficult for guests to decipher between professional quality operators and novice hosts. With the majority of Airbnb properties achieving at least a 4.5-star rating, how can a guest more confidently select a premium property?

Superhost status is the answer. Unlike individual property ratings, the Superhost designation considers a host's entire portfolio of properties. Superhost status offers guests more information about the host's performance and reliability. 

The Superhost program helps guests feel more confident in their choice of accommodations by evaluating factors such as response time, booking acceptance rate, and overall guest satisfaction. 

Your vacation rental may be amazing, but is it better than your competition? Connect your Airbnb listing to AirDNA to see its Booking Performance Score.

The four criteria that hosts must meet to become an Airbnb Superhost are:

Host at least 10 stays in the past year (or 100 nights over at least three stays).

Respond to 90% of new guest messages within 24 hours.

Have a cancellation rate of less than 1% (excluding extenuating circumstances).

Simply put: Airbnb is looking for hosts who are active, responsive, reliable, and have earned high ratings, all within the past year.

Becoming an Airbnb Superhost signifies joining a group of top-tier hosts recognized for their exceptional service and reliability. If you’re among the 41.6% of U.S. listings with Superhost status, it means that you’ve shown: 

Dedication to outstanding guest experience

Superhost status is also a stand-out for guests. Booking with a Superhost instills confidence and trust, as it suggests a level of professionalism and reliability that sets them apart from other hosts. Superhosts are perceived as reliable and trustworthy, making guests feel safer and more comfortable during their stay. 

Becoming an Airbnb Superhost comes with a myriad of benefits that can make your hosting experience better and boost your rental property's performance:

Better Visibility: Superhost status increases your visibility on the platform, making your listing more prominent in search results and attracting more potential guests.

Improved Guest Experience: As a Superhost, you're recognized for your commitment to providing exceptional hospitality. Guests are more likely to choose your property over others, knowing they can expect a high level of service and reliability.

Higher Occupancy Rates: Data shows that Superhosts enjoy approximately 5% higher occupancy rates compared to hosts without Superhost status. This increased demand translates to more bookings and higher overall revenue potential.

Increased Annual Revenue: Despite listings without Superhost status having slightly higher average daily rates (ADRs) and revenue per available room (RevPAR), Superhosts enjoy nearly 13% higher annual revenue potential. This is attributed to the higher occupancy rates and increased booking volume that Superhost status brings.

Superhost requirements are quite clear. Our data shows, for example, that 75% of Superhosts have at least a 4.9-star rating, and any rating lower than 4.7 leads to a steep drop off in Superhost status. 

Knowing exactly how to achieve 4.9 or 5-star Airbnb Superhost reviews and ratings can be trickier. Below are some tips to help you create guest experiences that boost ratings and qualify for Superhost status.

1. Offer a comfortable, clean, easy-to-use property

Cleanliness is crucial to guests, and they won’t hesitate to respond with low ratings if a property doesn’t meet their standards. They also expect ease of use and comfort—everything should work, beds should be comfortable, the key exchange should be simple, and you should offer the standard amenities guests need (plus something extra if you want to surprise and exceed expectations!).

You can achieve these standards (and earn high guest ratings) by inspecting the property regularly, keeping up on maintenance, and hiring professional cleaners who follow a checklist

This requirement is strict and straightforward: Hosts who have a cancellation rate of more than 1% are disqualified from Airbnb Superhost status. Cancellations are commonly caused when a property is inadvertently double-booked, so keeping an effective calendar is key to keeping guest cancellations at a minimum.

Like in any relationship, communication is the key to success—and that stands true in the guest-Superhost relationship, too. No one ever became a Superhost by ignoring messages. If you're serious about elevating your host status, answer initial booking inquiries as quickly as you can. Respond instantly if guests have any questions or issues during their stay. It’s a good idea to reach out to guests proactively after they check in and check out to resolve any problems immediately without them having to ask you. 

4. Make guests feel like they're getting a good deal

While aspects such as easy check-in, a comfortable bed, or clean bathrooms all play a part in getting good reviews, ensuring that guests feel they’re receiving a “good deal” has been proven to be a big contributing factor. Guests who feel like they got good bang for their buck are much more likely to leave a five-star review. 

If you’re struggling to exceed a 90% occupancy rate, adjusting your prices can create a cycle that builds on itself. More people will read those glowing reviews and book your property, and higher occupancy will gradually make up for your lower ADR.

You already know reviews are essential to becoming an Airbnb Superhost. However, how many reviews you have matters as much as how positively you’re rated. Our data shows that 55% of Superhosts have between 20-100 reviews, with nearly a quarter that have between 20-49 reviews specifically. 

The fewer Airbnb Superhost reviews you have, the more important it is that they’re five stars. 67.4% of reviews for Superhosts that only have 1-10 guest reviews are five stars. That percentage goes down as your number of reviews increases but typically remains steady at about 43%. 

Provide exceptional service and go above and beyond to meet guest expectations. This can justify you prompting guests to leave glowing reviews and high ratings, which are crucial for achieving Superhost status. 

Actively soliciting feedback from guests and promptly addressing any concerns or issues also demonstrates your dedication to providing a top-notch experience, further solidifying your chances of becoming a Superhost.

Plan your STR strategy based on real booking activity and trends—plus, see how things change year over year.

How much Superhosts make depends on whether the host is an individual operator or a professional property manager. Our data shows that the annual revenue potential for individual Superhosts is $44,627, while professionally managed Superhosts can earn an average of $72,196 per year, largely because they charge higher ADRs.

Those figures represent a 13% higher annual revenue potential than non-Airbnb Superhosts. 

Hosts must meet Airbnb Superhost criteria to qualify for this special status, and many don’t make the cut. There are plenty of things hosts can work on to become Superhosts, but is it worth it? According to our vacation rental data, the answer is yes. Hosts earn significantly more revenue on Airbnb when they receive the Superhost stamp of approval.

Bottom line: Putting in the necessary time, effort, and strategy toward elevating your host status makes a difference in your short-term rental (STR) profitability. 

Boost Your Reviews on Your Path to Superhost Status

Becoming an Airbnb Superhost can feel daunting, but it’s well within reach. Dedication, commitment, and a focus on providing exceptional hospitality can go a long way toward Superhost-worthy guest experiences.

At some point, though, the experience you create must translate to your reviews. Curious how to get better reviews and ratings? Check out our guide for how to get five-star reviews.

What's the difference between a Superhost and a regular host on Airbnb? 

Superhosts must meet certain standards and maintain them every year to keep their Superhost status. These include hosting at least 10 stays in the past year, responding to 90% of messages within 24 hours, maintaining a guest rating of at least 4.8 overall, and having a cancellation rate of less than 1%. Hosts who don’t meet these requirements or fail to maintain them will not achieve Superhost status.

How do I know if I’m a Superhost on Airbnb? 

Log in to your hosting account and navigate to the "Progress" tab on the dashboard To check if you're a Superhost on Airbnb. Here, you'll find your Superhost status displayed prominently. Additionally, Airbnb sends Superhosts a congratulatory email when they achieve or renew their Superhost status every quarter.

How many 5-star reviews do I need to be a Superhost on Airbnb? 

There isn’t a specific number of five-star reviews you need to be a Superhost, but hosts generally aim for a high percentage of positive reviews relative to their total bookings. Our data shows that current Superhosts with under 10 reviews have approximately six five-star reviews; if the Superhost has between 20 and 100 reviews, roughly half of them are five star ratings.

Understand the investment potential of any address in the world. 

Superhost status translates into super earnings. Learn how to provide the five-star-review-worthy guest experiences needed to attain this special designation.

Airbnb Superhost: How to Become One in 2024

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