Airbnb wants to connect with travellers and guests via new social media integration and search tools

Airbnb users can now connect with fellow travellers and discover new properties with improved search and maps features.

Airbnb has unveiled a set of updates aimed at making its platform more social and improving discovery for travellers. The company is enabling users to connect with others participating in the same activities while enhancing search and maps tools to uncover properties and points of interest they might have otherwise missed.

Earlier this year, Airbnb launched Experiences, offering activities such as cooking classes and guided tours that travellers can book together. Building on that, the company is introducing features that highlight the social aspect of these experiences. When booking an event, users can now view the names and locations of other participants. After the activity, they can connect through the app’s chat feature to exchange photos or make future plans. Users will also see contacts from these experiences in a dedicated Connections tab on their profile.

Privacy has been a key consideration for Airbnb. The app prompts users to decide whether to share their profile picture, name, and location with others attending the same experience. If users decline, their information defaults to private, showing only what they choose. Connections can be blocked or removed at any time, and reports are reviewed by Airbnb’s community team to ensure safety.

The company initially hinted at these social features in its summer release in May, aiming to foster interactions that could lead to more bookings for both accommodations and activities. However, Airbnb acknowledges that moderation challenges, common to chat-based platforms, will need careful management.

Alongside social enhancements, Airbnb is improving its search experience. The app will now display properties that fall just outside selected criteria through three scrollable lists, or carousels. These include options slightly above the user’s price range, listings missing some selected amenities, and properties in nearby locations that still match the traveller’s preferences. Airbnb observed that users frequently adjust search filters to explore other options, and this proactive display aims to streamline that process.

The maps view has also been redesigned to highlight local points of interest such as landmarks, restaurants, and attractions. Tapping on these locations reveals descriptions and distances from the chosen property, making it easier for travellers to plan activities nearby.

Additionally, Airbnb’s AI-powered customer service assistant is expanding from the U.S. to Mexico and Canada, supporting English, Spanish, and French. The assistant can now deliver more personalised responses based on user history and reservations and offers quick action cards for tasks like cancellations or date changes, enhancing the overall user experience.