Airbnb is more competitive than ever, and hosts are always looking for ways to differentiate themselves. Recognition programmes like the Airbnb Superhost badge, as well as the newer Guest Favourite badge, offer more credibility and visibility to listings. But what do these badges really mean? How are they different? Which badge should you focus on to grow your Airbnb business?
In this guide, we will cover everything you need to know about the Guest Favourite badge vs Superhost status, including the requirements, benefits, and strategies to achieve the best of both.
What Is the Airbnb Guest Favourite Badge?
The Guest Favourite badge is a brand-new badge on Airbnb meant for showing listings that guests loved the most. In refreshing contrast to Superhost status, which shows an entire history of your hosting performance, the Guest Favourite badge is focused on immediate and recent guest experiences based on ratings and reviews.
All listings that qualify and have earned it will have the “Guest Favourite” tag attached in the search results. Guests will always be more likely to click on a property with the ‘Guest Favourite’ tag. This hint of trust and assurance that properties with this badge regularly provide high-quality experiences is very powerful.
Key points about the Guest Favourite badge:
- It reflects guest satisfaction more than host performance metrics.
- The badge is tied directly to the listing, not the host’s overall account.
- It updates dynamically, meaning if reviews drop, you can lose the badge quickly.
- It’s highly visible in search results and can influence a guest’s booking decision instantly.
In short, the Guest Favourite badge signals that your property is currently one of the best on Airbnb according to guest feedback.
What is the Superhost Program?
The Airbnb Superhost programme has been around for a long time and is designed to encourage and reward hosts who are driven to consistently exceed guest expectations. The Superhost rating focuses on total overall host performance rather than a recent guest experience or an evaluation of one property.
Requirements for Superhost status include:
- Completing at least 10 stays or 100 nights across 3+ reservations in the past year.
- Maintaining a 4.8+ overall rating.
- Keeping a 90% response rate or higher.
- Having less than 1% cancellations (with a few exceptions).
Superhost status is evaluated quarterly by Airbnb. If you meet the criteria, your profile earns the Superhost badge, which appears next to your name across all listings you manage.
Benefits of Superhost status:
- Increased visibility in Airbnb’s search results.
- More guest trust and higher booking conversions.
- Priority support from Airbnb.
- Potential for higher earnings over time.
Unlike the Guest Favourite badge, Superhost is host-focused and long-term, rewarding consistency and professionalism.
Requirements for the Guest Favourite Badge on Your Property
Airbnb doesn’t publish a strict checklist for the Guest Favourite badge, but it’s awarded based on recent guest experiences. Here’s what matters most:
- High Review Scores – A 5-star rating trend on cleanliness, accuracy, and communication.
- Recent Positive Feedback – Strong reviews in the past few months.
- Reliable Hosting – No major issues like last-minute cancellations or poor communication.
- Listing-Specific Performance – Even if you’re a Superhost, one of your listings may not qualify unless it meets the above standards.
Think of the Guest Favourite badge as real-time validation from guests that your property is performing exceptionally well.
Which Badge Should You Focus On?
The answer depends on your hosting goals:
If you are completely new or want to see an improvement in bookings quickly, focus on earning the Guest Favourite badge. It takes less time to get the badge by elevating a guest experience and can considerably increase your click-through rate.
If you are building an Airbnb business for the long term, Focus on earning the Superhost badge, which will provide credibility, a higher search placement, and a trust signal needed to attract repeat guests.
Ideally, you should aim for both. The Guest Favourite badge gives you short-term momentum, while Superhost status builds long-term sustainability.
Strategies to Earn and Keep Both Badges
Here are practical steps to maximise your chances of earning both recognitions:
Deliver 5-Star Experiences
- Prioritise cleanliness, comfort, and accuracy in your listing.
- Communicate promptly and clearly with guests.
Request Feedback
- Politely remind happy guests to leave a review.
- Use their suggestions to improve future stays.
Avoid Cancellations
- Keep your calendar updated to prevent double bookings.
- Only accept reservations you can confidently fulfil.
Personalise the Experience
- Small touches like local recommendations, welcome snacks, or flexible check-ins can make a big difference.
Monitor Your Metrics
- Track your response rate, ratings, and recent reviews regularly.
- Adjust quickly if you notice any dip in performance.
The Guest Favourite badge and Superhost designation are both prominent indicators that can help you stand out on Airbnb. While the Guest Favourite badge is a real-time reflection of current guests’ enjoyment of an individual property, the Superhost designation emphasises your overall trustworthiness and professionalism.
The best recommendation is not to choose to focus on one or the other instead, aim for both! Together, they present you with the immediate appeal to help you attract new bookings and the long-term trust to continue growing a successful Airbnb.