Airbnb update for hosts and guests globally: ID verification to become mandatory for every booking

Airbnb is set to make identification verification compulsory for reservations, requiring a valid government-issued ID or legal address at the time of booking. The move is designed to increase trust and accountability among users and will bring Airbnb closer to traditional hotels' verification standards. 

Airbnb has just announced that it will soon be requiring its users to verify their identity using a valid government-issued ID or a legal address at the time of reservation. This means that before booking, users will be required to provide Airbnb with an ID or a legal address that confirms their identity.

Bringing the traditional hotel check-in feel into Airbnb

According to Tara Bunch, the global head of operations at Airbnb, 80% of the platform’s bookings already have some form of identity verification. The new verification layer is designed to bring Airbnb closer to the sort of verification seen in traditional hotels, where front desk staff can request a form of identification from a guest before check-in.

While many other vacation rental booking platforms do not require identification, they do allow guests or hosts to submit the information that verifies their identity. Bunch believes that by taking away the anonymity of not being identified and verified, people will be held accountable for their actions and are more likely to behave responsibly.

A step towards the safety of users and hosts on Airbnb

Airbnb's ID verification efforts are in line with building trust with its users and attracting guests and hosts to the platform. This move to bring in compulsory ID verification would represent a significant step in rooting out anti-social or raucous behaviour at its listings.

In June 2022, the company banned house parties permanently following a series of high-profile incidents and parties that thrust Airbnb into the national and global spotlight. Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky pledged that the company would verify 100% of its listings and introduce other safety features such as a ‘guest guarantee’ and 24/7 neighbour hotline.

To prevent house parties, Airbnb has relied on machine learning to identify factors such as the age of the individual booker, the amount of time they have been on the platform, how far away they live from a large home they were booking, and the number of times potential guests had attempted to book the same property in close geographic areas.

How Does Airbnb ID Verification Work?

Airbnb requires users to confirm their identity using various methods, including submitting a photo of their government-issued ID, taking a new photo of themselves, and providing their legal first and last name and address. However, the photo-matching process used by the platform may not always be accurate due to the quality of the photo, changes in appearance, and the experience of the reviewer. As a result (at least for now), Airbnb cautions hosts not to solely rely on the photo-matching process as a guarantee of someone’s identity.

What type of IDs can be used to verify identity on Airbnb?

To verify your identity on Airbnb, only government-issued IDs are accepted:

• driver’s licence

• passport,

• national identity card

IDs such as a gym or library cards will not be considered.

If you choose to verify using a driver's licence, it is essential to take photos of both sides of the licence. Similarly, while adding a passport, ensure that the photo includes the numbers present at the bottom of the page.

Residents of certain countries, including Singapore, Hong Kong, the Netherlands, Japan, and Korea, should cover their identification or registration number with tape or a finger while taking photos of their IDs. If an existing photo is used, make sure to remove the number before uploading it to Airbnb. 

Consider KeyNest for an efficient and cost-effective solution for managing keys and check-ins as an Airbnb host. 

With KeyNest, you can drop off a key at one of our 4,000+ convenient locations, such as local stores or cafes. Guests, cleaners, or contractors will be able to securely retrieve the key from the KeyNest Point (usually open 24/7). 

You'll receive notifications each time the key is picked up and returned, and you can even set custom check-in and check-out times for added convenience. 

KeyNest has an expanding network of locations globally, likely just a few minutes away from your property, visit our website at https://keynest.com/ to learn more.