@Lizzie
Yeah Lizzie that confirms the sketchy information we have been able to piece together up to now and, as a lone host, I don't support it for a couple of reasons.
1/. Guests do not understand that 5 stars is the default Airbnb rating criteria. Anything less is seen as a failure and this system looks for problems where problems do not exist: ie that century old Persian rug with it's certificate of authenticity results in a downgrading to a 4 or even a 3 star cleanliness rating because of it's old and shabby appearance. Should the host hot-foot it down to Ikea and replace this treasure with a suitable piece of 5 star shag pile nonsense in order to avoid being relegated and told there is room for improvement?
2/. Hosts do not have the same opportunity to rate guests, so the whole equation is one sided.
What was the main issue with the guests cleanliness: Smell, smoking, untidy habits, noise, abuse of supplied equipment.
What was the main issue with the guests communication: Response, observance of house rules, contact.
These things are as relevant to the host as Airbnb seems to feel the guest comments are. If guests knew they would be rated on the same criteria as that used for hosts many of them would take more care, and be more responsible and responsive guests.
Thank you for posting this Lizzie it does give us a bit more insight into the review process but in reality will do nothing to make us better hosts. All it will do is bring up issues that will make us more mistrusting of guests in general.
As I said, I don't speak for the community, just as a lone host.
Cheers.....Rob