Airbnb wants you to make friends, not just bookings

The platform’s new social features turn shared experiences into lasting connections — while smarter search and AI tools keep users exploring

Airbnb is introducing new features that let travelers connect with others who book the same experiences, alongside upgrades to its search, map, and AI assistant tools. The move aims to make Airbnb a more social platform and improve discovery across both stays and activities.

Key takeaways

• New social features: Travelers can now see and connect with others joining the same Airbnb Experiences, exchange photos afterward, and manage connections in a new profile tab.
• Privacy controls: Users must opt in to share personal details like name and location, and can block, report, or remove connections at any time.
• Smarter search results: Airbnb will now display three new property carousels showing options just outside the user’s set filters — such as price range, amenities, or location — to increase booking opportunities.
• Enhanced maps view: The redesigned map highlights nearby points of interest like landmarks, attractions, and restaurants, encouraging users to explore within the app.
• AI assistant expansion: Airbnb’s AI-powered customer service bot, previously available in the U.S., is rolling out to Mexico and Canada in English, Spanish, and French, offering contextual responses and quick-action tools for booking management.
• Strategic goal: These updates align with Airbnb’s broader plan to make its platform more interactive, sticky, and community-driven — but they may bring new challenges around moderation and privacy management.

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