Airbnb Is Becoming a Social App — and Your Next Trip Could Benefit

Airbnb heard you – and it’s responded by making its app more of a social experience. The company announced on October 21 it is enhancing its “Experiences” offering with social features that allow those who meet at an Airbnb experience to connect before and after the event, and even to share photos and message each other. The update coincides with a broader revamp of its app and services.

Guests booking an Experience will now be able to see who else is going, message other participants in advance, and stay connected after the activity, according to the company’s announcement. The company says these enhancements come with “simple and transparent privacy controls.”

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“Seventeen years ago, we changed the way people travel. More than two billion guests later, Airbnb is synonymous with a place to stay,” said co-founder and CEO Brian Chesky in a press release. “With the launch of services and experiences, we’re changing travel again. Now you can Airbnb more than an Airbnb.”

 

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Under the refreshed model:

• Experiences are available in about 650 cities worldwide, and host categories cover cultural, food, outdoor, art, wellness and other activities.
• The social tools aim to convert these bookings into communal or networked moments, not simply isolated transactions.
• The app itself has been re-designed to bring homes, services and experiences into one integrated flow for guests and hosts alike.

Airbnb’s move reflects broader industry trends toward making travel a more socially connected, shareable experience rather than just a separate booking and itinerary. By letting prospective attendees check in with each other and connect beyond the booking moment, Airbnb aims to deepen engagement and encourage repeat use of its Experiences platform.

Other updates to the Airbnb app

In addition to the increased social connectivity, Airbnb is also pushing forward with other updates to its app to help with booking, payments. and customer service:

• Smarter Search & Flexible Payment: Redesigned carousels highlight homes beyond a guest’s original filters to showcase better matches, while upgraded maps display travel times and summaries for popular landmarks and attractions. Guests worldwide will soon be able to book eligible stays with “Reserve Now, Pay Later,” requiring no upfront payment.

• Expanded AI Customer Support: Airbnb’s AI assistant is now accessible in English, Spanish, and French across North America, delivering more personalized responses and enabling built-in actions for frequent needs like date adjustments or cancellations.

• Upgrades for Hosts: Hosts can now apply different cancellation policies for select dates, view pricing tips up to a year ahead, and apply all suggestions with a single tap. Coming soon, an enhanced performance tab will show year-over-year earnings trends.

For travelers, the benefits to these updates lie in the potential to meet like-minded participants ahead of time, get to know fellow guests and extend the activity into a community-oriented moment. For hosts, they offer more context about their audience and opportunities for extended connections. Check out what’s new in your Airbnb app.