The existing platforms like VRBO and Craigslist failed to facilitate payments, creating friction in transactions between hosts and guests.

We realized that many of our hosts had poor photos of their listings, which hindered growth; addressing this issue was crucial for our success.

Airbnb has always been supply constrained because while people have been booking travel online for years, they weren't listing their homes for rent to strangers.

The rise of Airbnb coincided with the economic downturn, prompting many individuals to seek ways to monetize their properties for extra income.

Airbnb was not the first to market; it faced established competitors like VRBO and Couchsurfing, which had significant user bases and brand recognition.

By actively engaging with our users and improving their listings, we were able to curate quality properties, leading to increased bookings and traction for our service.

Initially, we thought property managers were the best source of supply for Airbnb, but we quickly learned that they often prioritized profit over guest experience, leading to poor customer service.

A pivotal moment for Airbnb was realizing that hosts didn't need to be present for guests to rent an entire apartment, which expanded our business model significantly.

We built a network of photographers to improve the quality of listings, recognizing that high-quality photos could significantly enhance the attractiveness of properties on Airbnb.