@Lizzie - sorry this is late but I thought I would try to make it so here is my question / suggestion. Thank you.
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Please consider rethinking the 5 star rating system. The system that is currently in place now causes hosts much anxiety and aggravation because we are being judged on things that are not within our control and are merely guest’s opinions that we cannot do anything about (or improve upon).
May I suggest having just 2 categories - cleanliness and accuracy with a thumbs up or down and remove the star rating.
I believe that three of the current categories for 5 star ratings are not appropriate - they are as follows:
We can’t do anything about our "location"s.
We can only have good "communication" when we get good communication back - that is a two way street.
And "value" is subjective opinion. One place considered to be good "value" to one guest could be considered something very different to another guest.
So the only two things that are completely on us hosts are cleanliness and how accurate our listing is. That is all we have complete control over and so those two things are what we should be judged on …. and that’s all.
If a thumbs down is given for any of these two things, an explanation needs to go with it. If the guest does not participate in the review system then it should go on their profile that they book and stay but don't leave reviews and let the host decide whether to have them stay without a review or not.
Thank you.