Learn how duplicate Airbnb listings happen in Hostaway, how to fix them safely, and what steps help prevent duplicate exports or mappings in the future.
Duplicate Airbnb listings and mapping errors in Hostaway can lead to confusion and potential loss of reservation data. This article outlines solutions to manage duplicate listings, reconnect listings without issues, and retain essential booking history.
Understanding Why Duplicate Listings Occur
Duplicate listings typically occur when incorrect options are used during the process of reconnecting Hostaway with Airbnb. This happens primarily when the "Import" function is chosen instead of the "Map" function. Choosing "Import" creates a new listing in Hostaway rather than reconnecting the existing Airbnb listing, which leads to duplicate properties and mapping errors. Always use the "Map" feature to link your original Airbnb listing to the corresponding Hostaway record.
Preventing Duplicate Listings
- Use the “Import & Mapping” feature instead of the “Import as New Listing” option in Hostaway.
- When mapping listings, always choose from the "Existing Listing" dropdown to select the correct Airbnb entry.
By following these steps, you'll ensure that your Hostaway account is properly synced without creating unnecessary duplicates.
Resolving Existing Duplicate Listings
If you already have duplicate listings, you can address the issue using the following workflow:
Step 1: Unmap the Duplicate Listing
- Navigate to Channel Manager > Channels > Airbnb > Configure > Listing and Mapping.
- Select the duplicate listing and choose Unmap Listing.
Step 2: Delete the Duplicate Listing
- Locate the duplicated listing (it usually has a higher listing ID).
- Click the three dots menu next to the listing and select Delete Listing.
Step 3: Remap the Original Listing
- Return to Listing and Mapping.
- Use the "Map" option to link the Airbnb listing to the correct original Hostaway record. Avoid using "Import" at this stage, as it will create another duplicate.
- Any associated reservations will sync back to the correct listing.
Workarounds for Retaining Reservation Data
Hostaway does not allow merging listings directly. To preserve reservation history:
- Download past reservation data using the Export Reservations to CSV feature.
- Manually upload the reservation data to the correct listing to retain essential booking history. Detailed guides for these processes are available on the Hostaway documentation platform.
Key Tips to Avoid Common Mistakes
- Refrain from using the "Import" option unless you need a brand-new listing in Hostaway.
- Verify that all Airbnb reservations and listing data are correctly linked to the appropriate Hostaway records before making changes.