Primary Hosts: An introduction

Even if there are a bunch of people making a home listing or experience as fabulous as it can be, there's only one primary host.

For homes, the primary host is the person shown as the host on the listing, and is typically the person that the guest has the most interaction with. For experiences, the primary host is the person reservations are assigned to by default, and may not be the first person displayed as a host on the listing.

Types of primary hosts

There are 4 types of hosts who can be the primary host:

• Home host listing owner: The person who lists the space in their Airbnb account. This is often the person who owns or lives on the property.
• Home host full-access co-host: Usually a friend, family member, or someone the host hires who can help manage their place. Co-hosts with full-access permissions can be the primary host, and the listing owner or a full-access co-host can choose the primary host on the listing.
  
• Experience listing owner: The person who lists the experience in their Airbnb account.
• Experience full-access co-host designated as hosting reservations: Full-access co-hosts that are added to an experience listing labeled as “hosting reservations” can also be set as the primary host. These co-hosts, like the listing owner, may actively host guests and lead experiences.

Changing the role of a primary host

The role of a primary host for homes and experiences can change when the listing owner or full-access co-host updates any permissions, or if the primary host is removed from the listing or their role as a co-host changes (for example, if they switch from hosting reservations to helping behind the scenes).

If a listing owner or co-host updates permissions for a primary host

The listing owner or full access co-host can update the primary host by going into the Listing editor, viewing co-host settings, and selecting a new primary host from those who are eligible.

• For home listings: When the primary host is changed, the person shown as the host on the listing is immediately updated (and reservations are unchanged).
• For experience listings: When the primary host is changed, the default host for any new reservations is immediately updated (and existing reservations are unchanged).

If the primary host is removed or their status as a co-host changes

When a co-host is removed from a listing, and that co-host was the primary host on a listing, the primary host is automatically changed back to the listing owner.

• For home listings: The listing owner will immediately be shown as the host on the listing (and reservations are unchanged).
• For experience listings: When the listing owner is made the primary host, any existing reservations previously assigned to the co-host that were removed are also updated, and the listing owner will take on hosting responsibilities for those reservations.

How guest reviews affect primary hosts

Guest reviews only appear on the profile of the listing owner for home hosts and experience hosts. If the primary host is also the listing owner, guest ratings and reviews will appear on their profile and will affect their Superhost status (if they are a home host).

For co-hosts, guest ratings and reviews won't appear on their profile or affect their Superhost status.

If the listing is managed by a hosting team, everyone receives notifications related to the trip request, but ratings and reviews will only be displayed on the profile of the listing owner.