MAY 29, 2025

Navigating Airbnb TOS Changes: How Kozy Getaways Is Pivoting with Purpose

Table of Contents

• TL;DR
• Key Takeaways
• Introduction
• Weekly Team Wins at Kozy Getaways
• Adapting to Airbnb’s Latest Policy Changes
• Why We’re Prioritizing Direct Bookings: A Direct Booking Strategy for Airbnb Hosts Navigating New TOS Rules
• Expanding Beyond Airbnb: Diversifying with OTAs
• Final Thoughts: Pivoting with Purpose
• Call-to-Action

TL;DR

The Airbnb landscape is shifting—and at Kozy Getaways, we’re staying proactive. From adapting to Airbnb’s latest Terms of Service (TOS) changes to building a stronger direct booking funnel, every move is designed to give us more control, more bookings, and more profit.

Key Takeaways

• Airbnb’s policy updates require immediate attention and operational pivots
• Building a direct booking strategy protects long-term profitability
• Diversifying across OTAs reduces platform dependency
• Pricing must account for new fee transparency rules and commission structures
• Proactive adaptation keeps your business competitive

Introduction

Things in the STR world are shifting – and it’s important that you recognize those shifts and then shift with them. Anything less than that could affect your rental and your ability to make a profit.

In this blog you’ll see how we’re doing it – so that you can learn a few things, take them on board and run with them!

Momentum is in motion at Kozy Getaways—because in the short-term rental world, standing still isn’t an option.

At this week’s team meeting, we tackled two big updates:

• Operational shifts required by Airbnb’s updated Terms of Service
• Progress on our new direct booking website (spoiler: it’s going to be a game-changer!)

Right after, I met with our internal Revenue Manager to dial in our pricing and booking strategy. In a shifting market? Strategic pivots aren’t optional—they’re essential.

Weekly Team Wins at Kozy Getaways

One thing I love about our team: we don’t wait for problems to show up—we solve them before they happen.

In this week’s meeting, we tackled Airbnb’s updated policies head-on. We mapped out:

• Operational changes needed to stay compliant without losing efficiency
• Adjustments to guest communication protocols
• Fee structure reviews to align with Airbnb’s updated transparency requirements

We also locked in next steps for our direct booking website—a key piece of reducing platform dependency.

Adapting to Airbnb’s Latest Policy Changes

Airbnb’s Terms of Service updates introduced major shifts, including:

• Off-platform communication restrictions: Tightening rules around sharing guest contact info
• Fee transparency updates: Requiring mandatory fees (cleaning, resort, pet fees) to be included in the listed price or designated fee fields
• Cancellation policy changes: A new 24-hour free cancellation window in some regions and stricter limits on “Strict” cancellation policies for new listings
• Security deposit revisions: Stricter guidelines on security deposits and prohibiting off-platform payments

We’re reviewing every policy closely and adjusting our workflows to stay compliant while protecting revenue. It’s critical for hosts to:

• Audit fee structures to ensure alignment
• Update communication templates to avoid policy violations
• Monitor cancellation policy impacts on booking security

In an environment of increased platform control, staying informed and adaptable is non-negotiable.

Why We’re Prioritizing Direct Bookings: A Direct Booking Strategy for Airbnb Hosts Navigating New TOS Rules

We love the visibility Airbnb provides—but we know the power of owning the guest relationship.

Direct bookings allow us to:

• Avoid platform fees cutting into profits
• Regain control over policies and communications
• Build guest loyalty without third-party restrictions

With Airbnb’s tightened communication and fee rules, having a direct booking strategy is more essential than ever.

That’s why we’re investing in a user-friendly, SEO-optimized direct booking website designed to convert—and building systems to nurture guest relationships outside Airbnb’s limitations.

Expanding Beyond Airbnb: Diversifying with OTAs

Alongside Airbnb, we’re adding additional OTA channels to broaden reach while protecting revenue.

A key part of this strategy? Factoring in each platform’s commission structure to set smart, profitable pricing.

This ensures:

• Competitiveness across platforms
• Healthy margins despite differing commission fees
• Avoiding underpricing or overpricing by relying on incomplete data

Diversification isn’t just about more exposure—it’s about strategic positioning across multiple channels.

Final Thoughts: Pivoting with Purpose

The short-term rental space is evolving fast—and the hosts who thrive are the ones who move intentionally with the market.

From adapting to Airbnb’s new policies to building direct booking funnels and diversifying OTA presence, we’re committed to staying ahead by staying strategic.

Call-to-Action

Want to stay ahead of Airbnb’s policy changes, build a direct booking strategy, and navigate evolving TOS updates with confidence?

Join the STR Sisterhood, a supportive community for women building profitable Airbnb and short-term rental businesses. Inside, we cover revenue management, direct booking strategies, operational pivots, and the latest updates impacting your business.

Join us here

Let’s future-proof your business—together.

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