Do you want to permanently remove your property from Airbnb, or do you just need a temporary break? Regardless, we have all the information you need right here.
Can you delete an Airbnb listing?
Yes, you can. In fact, there are two options available to hosts. You can permanently delete listings (or indeed your account), or you can choose to unlist your property. Think of one as a temporary solution, while the other is more permanent.
So what exactly do each of these mean?
Unlisting vs. deleting
Unlisting a property on Airbnb temporarily removes it from availability while retaining all your information and data. Deleting a listing permanently erases the associated information from your account. You can unlist your property for a set period or indefinitely. Deletion, however, prevents future restoration.
If you unlist your property, it remains saved on Airbnb, allowing you to reconnect later. A deleted listing will need to be created again from scratch. To maintain professionalism and avoid reputation issues, hosts should resolve all future reservations before deletion.
No matter which option you choose, please be aware that you cannot unlist or delete your listing until all of your future reservations are either completed or canceled. Host cancellation fees and other consequences will apply for cancellations.
When to choose unlisting over deleting
To help you decide the best path forward, here are some common scenarios for each option.
Consider unlisting if you:
- Need time to complete property renovations
- Want to take a break from hosting for a season
- Need to address local permit or regulatory issues temporarily
- Plan to rent your property exclusively to a long-term tenant for a few months
Consider deleting if you:
- Plan to sell the property permanently
- Move into the property as your primary residence
- Decide to close your hosting business entirely
What is unlisting?
Unlisting is a temporary way to hide your listing from potential guests searching through Airbnb. You essentially remove your listing from search results but not from the platform altogether.
Unlisting your property, whether temporarily or for an extended period, retains all your data and messages. Nothing will permanently be lost.
Airbnb offers hosts the option to unlist for up to 6 months or indefinitely. The latter option means you can manually come back and relist the property when you are ready.
How to unlist an Airbnb listing
- Log in to Airbnb and go to your Listings.
- Select the specific property you want to hide.
- Select Edit Preferences.
- Select Listing status.
- Select Unlisted, then either Choose dates or Unlist for now.
- Save changes.
How taking a break affects your Superhost status
Taking a break can impact your host metrics. If you unlist your property, your past reviews and ratings remain intact. However, to maintain Superhost status, you must meet Airbnb's quarterly assessment criteria, which include hosting a minimum number of stays.
If your property remains unlisted for an extended period, you might temporarily lose this status until you resume hosting guests. Remember that canceling confirmed reservations to unlist your property early will incur penalties and harm your Superhost standing.
Removing your Airbnb listing
If you want to permanently delete one of your Airbnb listings, there are some things to consider first.
This is a permanent action that removes all associated data from your management platform and cannot be undone. Ensure you log in before starting the process, and carefully consider each step to avoid irreversible decisions.
Before proceeding, ensure you address all future reservations to avoid unexpected cancellations and maintain professional integrity. Airbnb may hold payments for existing reservations until check-in.
Likewise, back up essential information like photos, descriptions, and reviews. This is especially important if there is a chance you will return to the platform in the future.
We also strongly advise resolving any ongoing issues or guest inquiries to avoid losing important context in potential disputes. You will lose access to any communication with past guests, including message threads and communication history. This limits your ability to resolve issues and requests effectively.
Settle any dues, refunds, or fees before deletion to prevent future transaction issues.
- Log in to Airbnb.
- Select Listings from the dropdown menu.
- Select the listing you want to remove.
- Select Booking settings.
- Select Deactivate.
Returning to Airbnb after deletion
Your host public profile will still be available even after deleting a listing. This means even when you return, you will retain reviews and your rating. You will, however, have to create listings from scratch, reupload photos, add descriptions, and optimize your property's content.
Exploring other booking channels and independent hosting
Sometimes hosts delete their Airbnb listings to focus on other platforms like Vrbo or Booking.com, or to drive revenue through a direct booking website. Diversifying your booking channels is a fantastic way to build a resilient business.
If you are looking for a faster and easier way to manage multiple channels or build your own direct booking site, see what Smoobu has to offer. Our channel manager automatically syncs your calendars across all platforms, preventing double bookings and supporting a highly efficient hosting experience.
