How to become an Airbnb Ambassador
Written By Kiera - Booking Conversion Strategist & Mentor-
Airbnb Ambassadors are experienced hosts who guide new hosts as they set up their listings and prepare for their first guests. The program was designed by Airbnb to make it easier for beginners to succeed quickly, while rewarding seasoned hosts for sharing their expertise.
What Does an Airbnb Ambassador Do?
Ambassadors provide one-on-one support to new hosts who have never listed a property on the platform. This can include:
Offering tips on preparing the property for guests
Helping with the listing setup (photos, descriptions, pricing)
Answering questions about hosting, guest communication, and policies
Sharing insights on what attracts bookings in their local area
For new hosts, the service is completely free. Ambassadors are paid directly by Airbnb once the new host gets their first confirmed booking.
Requirements to Become an Airbnb Ambassador
Not everyone can apply. To qualify, you must:
Already be an Airbnb Superhost (which means you’ve met strict hosting standards such as high review ratings, low cancellation rates, and consistent hosting activity)
Submit an application through Airbnb’s official program portal
Wait for Airbnb’s review and approval, which will be sent by email
👉 You can apply here: Airbnb Ambassador Application
Why Become an Airbnb Ambassador?
For experienced hosts, being an Ambassador is more than just an extra income stream. Benefits include:
Helping new hosts succeed by sharing your knowledge
Monetary rewards paid directly by Airbnb for every new host you mentor who completes their first booking
Recognition as a trusted guide within the hosting community
Personal growth as you refine your own hosting skills while teaching others
How Much Do Airbnb Ambassadors Earn?
While Airbnb doesn’t publish fixed earnings, Ambassadors are typically paid a referral bonus per new host who reaches their first successful booking. The amount can vary depending on the host’s location and the type of property listed.
Finding an Airbnb Ambassador
If you’re just starting out and want personalized guidance, connecting with an Ambassador can save you time and stress. Our recommended option is Jeanne Christian Styles, an experienced Superhost and Ambassador who has helped many new hosts launch successfully.
Quick FAQ
Do I need to be a Superhost to apply?
Yes. Superhost status is the minimum requirement.
Is there a cost to new hosts?
No. The program is completely free for new hosts — Airbnb pays the Ambassador directly.
How long does approval take?
Airbnb reviews applications individually. Some hosts hear back within days, while others may wait a few weeks.
Jeanne was in the room with Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky at the Airbnb Community Leader Summit in San Francisco. (September 2025)
IN THIS LESSON
Never choose your cover photo in isolation
It's job is to stand out on the scroll and speak clearly to the 'emotional' experience guests are seeking.
A host in my public group was asking if a photo of a fire pit is compelling enough. (image attached)
It DOES speak to an 'emotional experience' in terms of inferring relaxed time together, gathering, talking, laughing...prospective guests fill in the dots with their own version of the story in their own mind.
If however, many listings in the location feature fire-pits the image will simply blend in with the crowed. Even the colors in your photo impact on how well it is 'seen' on scroll.
So I always recommend seeing what other listings are leading with BEFORE making your decision.
Then, once you have added the photo, go back to a general search and see how it looks insitu on scroll.
When I did a quick scroll through the location in question, there are VERY few listings leading with the fire pit so it is likely to be quite effective in stopping the scroll in terms of the 'emotional story' it is telling.
Why I Don’t Recommend Responding to Reviews on Your Listing
When it comes to consumer buying behavior, reviews are perceived as independent information. In the online world, they’re often referred to as eWoM—Electronic Word of Mouth.
It’s easy to forget that reviews are is just the digital version of old-fashioned word of mouth. Think about asking a friend or colleague for a recommendation—you want to hear their perspective in an uninterrupted way so you can make your own judgment.
When hosts reply to every review, it can subtly shift how those reviews are perceived. It’s a bit like leaning over someone’s shoulder while they’re talking and adding your own commentary—it interrupts what was meant to be an independent voice.
Some hosts even use AI to respond, repeating key words from the guest’s own review. But when potential guests see the same canned phrasing repeated review after review, it feels inauthentic—and adds no real value.
If you want to thank a guest or acknowledge something they’ve said, that’s far more meaningful in a private message—where it’s personal, not performative.
There’s decades of research into how reviews influence decision-making—stretching back to the 1960s. The principles of word of mouth haven’t changed just because the format has.
The more options someone has, the harder it becomes to choose. Reviews help cut through that by showing how others, just like them, have experienced something.
Reviews, like every part of your listing, have their own job to do. Our role as hosts is to provide our information in the listing itself, then allow other voices to speak without us stepping in.
Research into the “qualitative characteristics of online reviews” shows that depth and subjectivity matter most. A thoughtful, detailed review from a happy guest is valuable both to potential guests AND to the algorithm.
In short: let your reviews stand on their own. They carry more weight—and more authenticity—when they speak for themselves.
P.S. There is one exception to this - if someone posts a review that is dramatically inaccurate, that is the time where a short, professional response is useful. Usually a review like this will stand out in a sea of great reviews as reflective of the guest and not the stay.
