How to Earn Airbnb Superhost & Guest Favorite Badges (Step-by-Step Guide)

The Airbnb Badges That Matter (And How to Actually Earn Them)

If you’re hosting on Airbnb, whether you’re just starting or already managing a few listings—badges aren’t just nice-to-haves. They’re powerful tools to boost your visibility, build trust, and ultimately grow your income.

At BNB Guardians, we’ve helped busy professionals turn their spare time into serious side income using Airbnb. One thing we always emphasize? Reputation matters. Badges like Superhost, Guest Favorite, or Verified Listing show potential guests that you take your hosting seriously, and learning how to earn Airbnb Superhost status can be a game-changer for your credibility and bookings.

Let’s break down the most important Airbnb badges, how to earn them, and why they’re a key part of any smart Airbnb strategy.

Why Airbnb Badges Are Worth Your Attention: How to Earn Airbnb Superhost

Think of badges like social proof. When a guest is choosing between 10 similar listings, these icons help yours stand out. They tell guests:

• You're trustworthy and experienced

• You communicate quickly and clearly

• Your space meets (or exceeds) expectations

From an Airbnb optimization standpoint, badges can:

• Improve your Airbnb SEO and search ranking

• Drive more bookings

• Justify higher nightly rates

• Help you stand out in saturated markets

The Airbnb Guest Favorite Badge

What is it?This badge is awarded to listings that consistently impress guests. It’s based on stellar reviews, fast communication, and reliable hosting practices.

How to earn it:

• Maintain a 4.9+ star rating across at least 5 reviews

• Respond quickly to inquiries

• Keep cancellations below 1%

• Deliver 5-star service, every time

Why it matters:This badge builds instant credibility. In our Airbnb coaching program, we’ve seen it directly increase bookings because guests know they're choosing a well-loved spot.

Airbnb Superhost Status

What is a Superhost? Superhost is the gold standard. It shows you’re not just hosting, you’re running a legit short-term rental business.

Requirements to qualify:

• 90%+ response rate

• 4.8+ overall rating

• Fewer than 1% cancellations (barring emergencies)

• At least 10 completed stays or 100 nights booked

Why it’s worth it: Superhosts are prioritized in Airbnb’s search results. You may even earn perks like early access to features or travel coupons.

We teach our clients how to systemize guest communication and operations so Superhost becomes the default, not the dream.

Airbnb Verified Listings

What does “Verified” mean? This badge tells guests your listing has been reviewed and confirmed by Airbnb as legit. It’s becoming more common and more expected especially in competitive markets.

How to get verified: Submit photos, documentation, and possibly a video walkthrough through your hosting dashboard.

Why it matters: Verified listings rank higher in search and convert more clicks to bookings. Trust equals transactions. Period.

The Airbnb.org Supporter Badge

What is it? This badge is given to hosts who open their doors to those in need during crises—like natural disasters or global emergencies.

How to earn it: You can:

• Offer your property for free or discounted stays through Airbnb.org

• Or, donate a portion of your hosting income

Why it’s powerful: Aside from doing good in the world, this badge showcases your values and connects you with the broader Airbnb mission. And yes, guests notice.

5 Tips to Earn (and Keep) Your Airbnb Badges

Earning a badge is one thing. Keeping it is another. Here are five proven strategies we use inside our Airbnb Super Host Academy to help clients stay at the top:

1. Master Airbnb Guest Communication

Respond to inquiries fast—ideally within an hour. Templates and automations can help, but don’t sacrifice the human touch.

2. Invest in Cleanliness

Guests expect hotel-level hygiene. Build a reliable cleaning team and don’t cut corners. Your reviews depend on it.

3. Go Above and Beyond

A personalized welcome message, local recommendations, or small gifts can turn a 4-star stay into a 5-star one.

4. Offer Flexibility

Flexible cancellation policies and check-in times help guests feel at ease—and boost your conversion rates.

5. Use Smart Airbnb Management Tools

Tools like Guesty (which we use at BNB Guardians) can streamline messaging, automate calendar syncing, optimize pricing, and track performance. With systems in place, you’ll avoid mistakes and keep your hosting quality consistent.

Final Thoughts

Badges aren’t just decorative, they’re strategic. They’re proof that you’re doing Airbnb right. Whether you're aiming for Superhost status or just trying to get your first 5-star review, every badge adds value to your listing and your income potential.

Need help with Airbnb? Whether you want to launch your first listing or scale with confidence, we’ve got you.

👉 Join our Airbnb Super Host Academy community on Skool or book a coaching call with the BNB Guardians team.

Let’s turn your side hustle into a business you’re proud of!