Please allow URLs in messages!!!

[Lori55]

I have seen other posts about this issue. Some people say that you CAN include URLs AFTER you accept the booking. That is not the case. I have never been able to include a website in messages to guest that are at either of my listing.  They message me asking about things to do when they are here/checked in, I send them a bunch of links, and they get "hidden". It's soo frustrating and ridiculous. This has happened to me several times, always for accepted bookings and previous guest who I've stayed in touch. I couldn't even send an email address to a previous (Accepted) guest who we wanted to stay in touch via email. 

It's so limiting to NOT be able to provide our guest with links to help plan their trips!! This is an online service that doesn't allow full access to online communication.  

AirBnB: Please change this policy. 

[Christian65]

I have no issue with this unless its a person who hasn't confirmed a booking.

Maybe there's a bug in your profile? I'd contact ABB for it.

[Alice-and-Jeff0]

They do not allow them for major security reasons.  Just like you are told over and over not to click on any links in emails from people you do not know, there is a similar security issue in their email systems so they disallow them.  Specifically, they don't want people to go around the Airbnb system to send people to their own websites where they cut out Airbnb or worse, use the Airbnb system to facilitate illegal activity.  

In my experience, once you've tried to communicate the URL a few times and Airbnb has gotten the opportunity to validate that the URL is real and not kiddie porn, it will be allowed.  In the meantime, tell the guest the name of the website and inform them that URLs are going to be blocked for security reasons.  I often send the link to the Durham Tourism site.  

[Robert78]

Have to agree with @Alice-and-Jeff0, but the redaction algorithm does have a tendency to throw the baby out with the bath water...

[Ange2]

@Lori55   You can use the email provided by Airbnb for the guest once they have booked, and send them any links, images you like. I also put links of things to do, ways to get here from the Airport and other things in BASICS under the account listing, an area with information that guests don’t see this until you confirm their reservation. Although not sure how reliable this is,  some guests have not received it.

@Robert78   I agree. I had a sentence with instructions (no links) in chinese characters flagged and hidden! In fact all 10 messages to the guest were hidden,  eventually they cancelled as they could see nothing except  "warning forbidden" not very reassuring!

[Robert78]

That sucks @Ange2! I use Chinese characters all the time, but they occasionally get redacted for the most inane reasons. No laughing matter if you're losing bookings because of it 😞

[Christoffer3]

Basically, I have to agree with the original post. In my experience, URLs are simply not allowed in messaging, regardless of whether a reservation has been done or not (by the person you are messaging with).

And I was also told that, yes, URLs do work once the reservation has been done. So not.