When a guest leaves a review that violates policy, getting it removed feels like a race against the clock. Every hour the review stays up, it can damage your reputation and impact your bookings. So, how long does the process actually take?

While Airbnb often resolves cases quickly, the timeline can vary significantly. Understanding the stages of a removal request and the factors that cause delays is key to managing your expectations and escalating your case when necessary.

For a review to be removed, it must violate a specific rule. If you're not sure whether your situation qualifies, start by reading our breakdown of Airbnb's Review Removal Policy.

Standard Timeline for a Review Removal Request

Here's a breakdown of what to expect after you report a review.

Stage	Timeline	What Happens
Initial Report	Immediate	You submit your removal request through Airbnb's official channel, citing a policy violation.
Automated AI Scan	1-5 Minutes	Airbnb's AI scans the review for obvious violations like hate speech or private information. Many clear-cut cases are resolved here.
Human Review (Tier 1)	24-72 Hours	If the AI can't make a decision, a front-line support agent reviews the case. This is the most common path.
Specialized Team	3-7 Business Days	For complex cases involving extortion or safety issues, the request is escalated to a specialized team for deeper investigation.
Final Decision	Sent via Email	You receive an email informing you whether the review was removed or not.

Most straightforward cases are resolved within 48 hours. If a review contains obvious harassment or a guest's private information, it is often removed much faster, sometimes within minutes of being reported.

However, if your case requires a human agent, especially for nuanced issues like "relevance" or "bias," expect to wait at least a full day for a response.

What Causes Delays in the Removal Process?

If you haven't heard back within 72 hours, your case is likely delayed. Here are the most common reasons why:

1. Vague Reporting: If you simply report a review as "unfair" without citing a specific policy, your request will be slowed down or denied. Always reference the exact rule the guest violated.
2. High Support Volume: During holidays, peak travel seasons, or after major policy updates, Airbnb's support team is inundated. This can add several days to the standard timeline.
3. Complex Evidence: Cases involving extortion or off-platform communication require more time. The support agent needs to review message logs, screenshots, and other evidence you provide.
4. Language Barriers: If the review or your communication with the guest is in a language that requires translation, this can add a day or two to the process.

The Escalation Path: What to Do If Your Request is Denied

Receiving an email that your request has been denied is frustrating, but it's not the end of the road. You have the right to appeal the decision.

Step 1: Analyze the Denial Reason

Read Airbnb's response carefully. They will usually provide a brief, often generic, reason for the denial, such as, "the review does not violate our policies." This means the first agent didn't see a clear violation.

Step 2: Re-Report with a Different Angle

If you believe the first agent misinterpreted your claim, you can try reporting the review a second time. This is most effective when you choose a different violation category.

For example, if you initially reported a review for being "irrelevant" and were denied, re-read the review. Does it also contain a personal attack? If so, you could report it again, this time for violating the Content Policy against harassment.

Step 3: Request a Supervisor Review

If your second attempt fails, it's time to escalate. Contact Airbnb Support again, but this time, specifically ask for your case to be reviewed by a supervisor or a senior case manager.

Use this language:

"I have reported this review twice and believe the initial assessments were incorrect. I would like to formally request that this case (Case ID: [Your Case Number]) be escalated to a supervisor for a final review. The review violates [State the Specific Policy] because [Provide a Brief, Factual Reason]."

Supervisors have more authority to interpret policy nuances and are your best bet for overturning an incorrect decision. This is a critical part of our step-by-step guide to removing a bad review.

For more information on appeals, see Airbnb's Help Center article on disputing a review decision.

FAQ: Understanding the Process

1. Can I call Airbnb support to speed things up?

Calling support rarely speeds up a review case. The phone agent will simply document your issue and tell you to wait for the specialized team to respond via email. The best approach is to be patient and use the official reporting channel.

2. What if the 14-day review window closes while my case is pending?

It doesn't matter. If a review is found to violate policy, Airbnb will remove it even after the 14-day window for leaving a reply has passed.

3. Will Airbnb tell the guest that I reported their review?

No. The process is confidential. The guest will not be notified that you reported their review. If the review is removed, they will receive a generic notification that it was taken down for a policy violation.