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Airbnb Launches AI-Powered Search and Social Features
Confirmed
In Short: Airbnb has introduced AI-driven search and social features in the U.S., including natural language search and AI property comparisons.
Airbnb launched a series of consumer-facing AI features in the U.S., including natural language search and AI property comparisons, according to Skift.
The new features include AI filters that anticipate user preferences, such as automatically suggesting filters for 'cribs,' 'playgrounds,' and 'toys' when a user searches for 'baby,' as CEO Brian Chesky explained at the Skift Global Forum.
Airbnb's homepage and apps now offer a search box for homes, hotels, experiences, and services, with AI-powered listing descriptions appearing in search results.
While Airbnb is not the first to introduce AI search features, CEO Chesky emphasized that the company is rebuilding itself as an AI-native company, with plans for an agentic AI tool by 2027.
Once users start the search, dynamic filters based on their preferences will appear, and the platform will use AI to highlight relevant property features and allow users to compare properties in their wish list.
Chesky noted that creating AI search in e-commerce is challenging, especially with a platform that processes $100 billion annually.
Airbnb has taken a cautious approach, avoiding a chatbot-like interface, and has been teasing the new search feature for property discovery since earlier this year.
Google is also launching conversational AI features within Docs, Gmail, and Keep, allowing users to ask questions and perform tasks using natural-language queries and dictation.
These features, dubbed Docs Live, Gmail Live, and Keep Live, will be available in English on iOS and Android and will roll out to Workplace Business customers soon.
Google's AI features have faced scrutiny, with the UK ruling that Google must allow publishers to opt out of appearing in AI search features and the EU opening an investigation into their impact on web traffic.
What this adds
Airbnb's cautious approach to AI features contrasts with Google's more aggressive rollout of conversational AI.
The new AI features from both companies aim to enhance user experience and streamline search processes.
Google's pilot program to pay publishers for their contributions to AI-powered search features highlights the growing importance of AI in the tech industry.
What's confirmed
- Airbnb launched a series of consumer-facing AI features in the U.S., including natural language search and AI property comparisons.
- Airbnb also offers AI filters that anticipate what the user is looking for.
- So if a traveler enters the keyword "baby," the feature will introduce filters for "cribs," "playgrounds" and "toys," as well, Airbnb said.
- Rivals got there first: Priceline's Penny has offered natural language search since 2023, Kayak launched AI Mode a year ago, and Expedia has shipped natural language search on Vrbo plus Property Expert and AI Comparison on Hotels.com.
- CEO Brian Chesky said at Skift Global Forum this month that Airbnb is rebuilding itself as an AI native company, and pledged an agentic AI tool in 2027.
- Photo Credit: Airbnb added natural language search on its homepage and apps in the U.S.
- Airbnb Airbnb is not a first-mover in AI launches.
- That's OK: Kayak wasn't a first-mover in metasearch.
- The issue isn't necessarily timing, but whether Airbnb can offer AI products that are better than its rivals.
- Starting today, Airbnb offers a search box with natural language search by text or voice for homes, hotels, experiences and services on its homepage and in its app.
- AI-powered listing descriptions appear in search results, and property comparis Very Online is your best source for news about online travel, from startups to the biggest online travel agencies.
What's still developing
- Airbnb is evolving in two directions: On the ground, it wants to compete with hotels by providing myriad services; online, it is using AI and people in its Airbnb network to aid travel discovery.
- “We are finally making our first foray into AI search. And what you see is just the very beginning of something. And over the coming months, we’re going to really be iterating this very quickly. It’s not hard to create AI search; it’s hard to create AI search in e-commerce when you have $100 billion going through your platform,” Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky told TechCrunch.
- Now, users can switch on a toggle to search for properties via text or voice prompts.
- For instance, if you type “baby” in the AI search filter, Airbnb will automatically show you further filters like cribs, playgrounds, or children’s books and toys.
- Famous faces from the worlds of fashion and music descended on the capital To use the search feature, we need your consent to load Google Custom Search, which may use cookies or similar technologies.
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- London ’s social set descended on the capital for another glittering week of parties, from DJ takeovers to album launches.
- In Gmail, instead of typing in a search box, you can ask questions to a Gemini-powered AI assistant about the contents of your inbox.
- Mir urged the public and other stakeholders not to treat speculation circulating on social media and other platforms as established fact.
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- The app does not come up when searching for it in the App Store, and clicking a link to it on the web returns an unavailable error.
- As part of the test, Google is reportedly paying participating publishers for how much their content contributed to AI Overviews and AI Mode in Search, as well as its Gemini chatbot.