Airbnb will now let hosts verify their WiFi speed before any stay

Your next Airbnb will be a lot more WFH-friendly, thanks to a new feature unveiled today.

In the company’s livestreamed winter announcement, CEO Brian Chesky announced that Airbnb is implementing Verified WiFi, a tool allowing all hosts to test their listing’s internet connection directly on the Airbnb app. They can then have their WiFi speed verified and displayed on the listing page.

How testing wifi will work on the app.
Credit: AIRBNB

Chesky revealed that the existing WiFi filter, through which potential guests can check which homes have working WiFi, has been used more than 288 million times this year alone. The company cited this as a result of the pandemic and the onslaught of people working from home.

The new verified upgrade aims to ensure the quality and existence of working internet, so that guests are aware of the speed in their temporary home — basically ensuring that no team meeting will be missed while on vacation.

“Now you can easily see the WiFi speed before booking,” Cheksy said.

Verified WiFi is available starting today, along with other significant updates. These include Accessibility Review – an industry-led feature to ensure that Airbnb homes are more accessible for disabled communities — and AirCover — which provides each and every host with $1 million damage protection, $1 million liability insurance, and income loss protection, amongst others. There are a whopping 46 new updates in addition to the ones just mentioned.