Airbnb Expands Social Tools Alongside New Experiences and Services Rollout
Airbnb is deepening its push beyond home rentals by launching a new set of services and experiences, paired with an expansion of social features designed to enhance community interaction on the platform. This shift aims to position Airbnb not just as a booking site, but as a full-fledged hub for trip planning, inspiration, and connection.
In its latest update, Airbnb has introduced the ability for travelers to book services like massages, chef-prepared meals, or beauty appointments, as well as cultural and recreational experiences across hundreds of cities globally. These offerings are accessible through revamped versions of Airbnb’s guest and host apps. The company is also debuting exclusive content under “Airbnb Originals,” featuring experiences led by celebrities and local experts.
But beyond expanding what users can do on the app, Airbnb is also rethinking how users connect with one another. Later this year, the platform will roll out new social features, including group chats for users who share the same experience. This follows the 2024 update to user profiles, which allowed for more personal expression — an update that resulted in a 15-fold increase in completed profiles.
According to Airbnb, the addition of group messaging is intended to facilitate post-experience connections, such as sharing photos or planning future trips. The company says it’s developing privacy protections for these social interactions. This nudges a few steps closer to a typical social platform, and given the popularity of travel as both a hobby and a lifestyle, there is a solid chance that the future could hold even more social updates for the app.