Communicate easily with Airbnb’s new Translation Engine

Hosting on Airbnb means opening your doors to guests from around the world. Translating your listing descriptions and reviews helps you communicate clearly and prevent misunderstandings.

To support you, we’re launching the Translation Engine, a translation tool made exclusively for Airbnb that will seamlessly translate listing descriptions and reviews into the reader’s chosen language. By mid-2022, it will replace our “click-to-translate” feature entirely. And in the coming weeks, you’ll start to see these changes roll out.

According to a study commissioned by Airbnb, the Translation Engine improves the translation quality of over 99 percent of Airbnb listings. Trained using millions of Airbnb data points, the Translation Engine will get even smarter over time as it learns from new content that's submitted.

This new translation tool is designed to support clear communication and the exceptional hospitality you practice as a Host. It can also help you reach more potential guests, creating more opportunities for them to book your listing.

Previously, guests looking for a place to stay would sometimes find a mix of languages bundled into one listing. And some guests might skip over listings written in an unfamiliar language in favour of spaces listed in their own language.

The Translation Engine will automatically translate your listing into each reader’s preferred language, making it easier for guests to get the details they’re looking for—and eventually removing the need to use our “click-to-translate” feature.

Airbnb already translates the information we provide into readers’ chosen languages. But many Hosts have relied on Airbnb’s “click-to-translate” feature or other free online tools to translate messages or listing descriptions.

Shinya, a Superhost from Japan and a Host Advisory Board member, has listed his space in 6 languages—relying on friends and translation websites to help create each new listing. “It’s very complicated,” he says. “I’ve always wanted a simple, accurate translation tool.”

With the new translation tool, Hosts like Shinya can communicate with guests in their chosen languages—and feel confident in a high-quality translation. It’s that easy.