Airbnb has introduced a new tool to its mobile app which allows hosts to test and list their home’s Wi-Fi speed on the platform‘s listings. This inclusion is aimed to help guests decide on which suitable home to book, especially if a fast internet connection is part of their necessary requirement for remote working purposes.
The new built-in speed test tool also enables hosts to easily list their Wi-Fi connectivity speeds with more accurate and verified information. Prior to this, hosts have been able to feature this detail in their listings, but these are merely estimates or claims – although there is an option that allows them to upload screenshots of third-party speed tests to support this.
Hosts can find the newly added feature in the “add your wifi speed” menu under the Amenities section of a listing. After determining the Wi-Fi speed, you can save the result on the same menu and the app will include it into your listing.
Also keep in mind that your home’s connection speed information will be recorded by both Airbnb and M-Lab, the organisation that provided the platform with the open-source software to build the new speed test tool. Airbnb noted the latter will store the test results in a publicly available database for use by analytical researchers. M-Lab won’t be receiving key information such as host account credentials or Wi-Fi login details, it added.
The Wi-Fi speed test tool has started rolling out on the Airbnb app across all supported platforms in the US, and is slated to be available globally in the coming weeks. Although most of us are still home-bound due to the ongoing pandemic, this new feature is still a much appreciated addition nonetheless and would be very handy for planning future trips, especially once travel restrictions are lifted. Whenever that may be.
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