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Matteo Gamba

Airbnb Official API — Develop your application for millions of travelers & hosts

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The Official Airbnb API allows external applications to securely Oauth into new and existing Airbnb accounts, granting the ability to push updates to content, rates, and availability and to get back messaging and reservation details, allowing applications to build custom workflows and create amazing experiences for our shared customers.

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Ryan Hoover
This could get really interesting as more homes are smart. Imagine the possibilities of what hosts could automate for their guests with a connected TV, door, heating system, fridge, etc.
Stanford Rosenthal
@rrhoover anything that wouldn't already be possible with the existing calendar feed?
J. Alexander Curtis
It is a shame to see startups succeed and then forget what it is like to be a startup. Seeing this new api and then a few weeks ago the affiliate program only being available to large customers (1M+ monthly users) is frustrating to see. It is too bad that AirBnb has forgotten their young hacking roots where this type of API could help create new products/services/companies, but instead they chose to reinforce the stronghold that the juggernauts of the industry already have by making it exclusively available to them.
Sai 🚀
Couldn't Resist - @airbnb is using Google Forms to collect API requester's details on www.airbnb.com/partner #LEAN
Ilan Peer
@airbnb @sainathkm Google won't poach those leads? :\
Nicolas Filzi
From what I quickly made out of this landing, is that API access seems somewhat reserved for hosts, what do you think?
Matteo Gamba
Hunter
@n_filzi the landing page (and application form) are both quite confusing and poorly present what can be done with the API. The most important piece of information is hidden in the second FAQ (What can I do with the Airbnb API?): "The API allows development teams to securely Oauth into new and existing Airbnb accounts. Your application users will have the ability to push updates to content, rates, and availability. As Airbnb guests book your listings, we’ll pass back messaging and reservation details, allowing applications to build custom workflows and create amazing experiences for our shared guests."
Nicolas Filzi
@sliver86 Thanks for pointing the good stuff out! 🙏 What I make out of it is that the API will expose endpoints for third-party apps facing hosts. That's a good first step I guess. I believe there will be a gold rush in the coming weeks / months 😂
Eric Wilson
@n_filzi @sliver86 Sounds like it's less about adding functionality to Airbnb from 3rd parties and more about adding Airbnb functionality to 3rd parties (e.g. booking.com, vrbo, and the like).
Matteo Gamba
Hunter
@n_filzi @ecwilson I don't have access to the API docs, but you're right, this seems to be more about improving/adding functionalities for Airbnb's customers. in terms of "enhancing other sites", it looks like they are offering some basic widget functionality as part of their new affiliate program (more info here https://all-about-airbnb.com/pos...), but I don't think they made available an API to access listings info.
Matteo Gamba
Hunter
After years teasing developers, Airbnb has finally announced its Official API! The documentation is not publicly available and only approved partners can get access to it, as Airbnb wants to maintain a tight control over the quality of the applications that get created. But this is still a huge step forwards, as approved developers will not have to rely anymore on hacks and exploitation of the private API to create quality applications... I personally know hundreds of people that were waiting for this, I'm looking forwards to seeing a lot of great products following this announcement 🚀
Alex Hernandez
Huh. I had no idea they didn't have an api before. 🤷🏼‍♀️
Chris Messina
Top Hunter
@pori_alex previously they had a ScrAPI.
Peyton Hayslette
So awesome. Pumped to see what people are able to do with this
Horea Burca
Yeah, unfortunately this seems to be for hosts accounts only... In other words, I can't request listings in a certain area. That's a shame.
Matteo Gamba
Hunter
@horea4 I'd not describe it as just hosts, but more "existing Airbnb users". enabling to pull bookings and messages also enables developers to build guest-specific apps
Horea Burca
@sliver86 That's not the way I understand it. It's very ambiguous and I'm sure that's intentional. They refer to users in general, but then they just specify host specific stuff. Whatever the case, though, they're still not opening their data about locations, they're just opening data for the individual user that logs in using a 3rd party app.
Drew Meyers
@horea4 They realize their power is they control the demand side of the equation... I don't suspect they'll be doing much to help other sites use their inventory anytime soon
Horea Burca
@drewmeyers It would just be informational, they could just expose the location, description, and photos of a place. All the booking would still be through their system, which would be beneficial for them as well. But I guess they thought it through more than we have, so they must have a good reason for starting out this way.
Matteo Gamba
Hunter
@drewmeyers @horea4 the closest thing they are doing in that direction is to provide an embeddable widget that shows the listings available in a given area (also in this case, available only to selected affiliate partners) https://all-about-airbnb.com/pos...
Viszt Péter
I just tried to fill out the form, but i think the target audience is... i have no idea. I wanted to connect my app(smart lock device + guest management software) so guests could receive access automatically once they make a reservation to various doors, however the form you need to fill out is asking questions like i'm another airbnb or booking.com kind of company.
Grant
This is what airbnb wants (taken from https://www.airbnb.com/hosttools "Are you a software provider? We want you to join our growing network of 70+ API partners. Let’s talk about how we can integrate with your system.". Looks like property management system is a main application: which includes customized booking assistance; through opening API, airbnb can get possibly replace dated booking system for the world's property management company by providing better data, hence work flow. Further, cutting edge smart home rental may integrate data for security, check in / out. Cleaning etc.; Notice there are only 70+ API partners. So, good luck and bring something new to the table:)
Vikram Kumar
@grantgrantgo the link isn't working anymore... do you happen to know where i can read more about the api's and the integrations?
Matteo Gamba
Hunter
@grantgrantgo property management is where the biggest bucks are... but it's definitely not the only interesting opportunity to develop services and products connected to Airbnb
Drew Meyers
@grantgrantgo @sliver86 what do you think are the most interesting possibilities?
Sam Goudie
Really interested to see what people make with this!
Sabri Helal
Ooohhh I posted about this in their affiliate program hunt last time here and they now have an official API. The Rental gods have spoken haha
Hrant Arzumanyan
I thought they already have API -_-
Peter Levin
This could be great but geared for hosts only atm? Would love to see this opened up to developers etc...
Vikram Kumar
where can i read about the api's and what we can do with them?
Juan Camilo Ruiz
An interesting step towards building an ecosystem and generating new ways of revenue. A key aspect for the API adoption world be too have a sandbox environment for devs to use the app freely without messing up with real use reservations. @Uber is ahead in this API land for now. Good job @airbnb
Matt Nish
Awesome to hear! Wonder if it’s GraphQL, which I hear they’re pretty excited about it over there, or a REST API...
Cristea Cristian
Hope this won't go away like AngleList's API...
Michael Moore
Announces API, posts on PH, doesn't let startups have access (#techshaming)