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Airbnb Adds Social Features to Experiences, Expands AI Assistant in Winter Release

The update advances Airbnb’s shift toward a discovery-led platform with built-in connections to boost engagement.

Overview

  • Guests who book an Experience can opt to see other attendees’ names and origins, message before or after the activity, and keep contacts in a new Connections tab, with default “don’t share” settings plus block and report controls.
  • Airbnb expanded its AI assistant to Mexico and Canada in English, Spanish and French, and it can now take in-chat actions such as canceling reservations or changing dates with tailored responses.
  • Search results now include carousels that surface places just outside a user’s criteria, including nearby locations, slightly higher or lower prices, or listings missing selected amenities.
  • The maps view adds tappable points of interest with descriptions and distances from listings, supporting trip planning directly in the app.
  • Hosts get date-specific cancellation policies and price tips up to a year out, an upgraded earnings dashboard arriving next year, and a global rollout next year of Reserve Now, Pay Later.