Airbnb's supply side: what hosts want from listing a space

Airbnb is a two-sided marketplace, and this question is about its supply side. What goal do hosts have when they put a space on Airbnb? Explain what they are trying to achieve and why it matters to Airbnb. ```hint Ask why they list Before settling on one goal, think about why different kinds of hosts list a space at all and what a good month looks like to each of them. ``` ### Clarifying Questions - Do you want the goals hosts hold for themselves, or the goal Airbnb should set for its host-facing product? - Should I include hosts of Airbnb Experiences, or only people who list a place to stay? - Should I stop at the goal, or also show how Airbnb could tell whether hosts are reaching it? ### What a Strong Answer Covers - A breakdown of hosts by motivation and scale, with why each group lists. - Each group's goals stated as outcomes the host cares about, including non-financial ones. - Where host goals align with, and where they pull against, guest goals and Airbnb's own interests. - One overall goal for the host side that the candidate commits to and justifies. ### Follow-up Questions - Which metric would show whether Airbnb is helping hosts reach that goal, and what would you guard against while moving it? - If total host earnings rose while the number of active hosts fell, would you count that as progress? Why or why not? - Where a host's interest conflicts with a guest's, such as on cleaning fees or strict cancellation terms, how should Airbnb decide?