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Designing for racial impartiality: The impact of relocating host photos on the Airbnb website

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  • Mohammed, A.R. Shariq

Abstract

This paper assesses the impact of Airbnb’s website redesign policy, which delayed the exposure of host profile photos, on racial discrimination. Using a difference-in-difference design across 10 major US cities, the study finds a negligible reduction in the Black-White price gap. The analysis rejects the possibility of a reduction in the Black-White price gap exceeding 2% with 95% confidence. Additionally, textual analysis of guest reviews indicates no discernible change in guests’ likelihood to leave positive reviews based on host race. Overall, these findings suggest that the policy’s modest increase in search costs was insufficient to change guests’ discriminatory behavior.

Suggested Citation

  • Mohammed, A.R. Shariq, 2025. "Designing for racial impartiality: The impact of relocating host photos on the Airbnb website," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 229(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jeborg:v:229:y:2025:i:c:s0167268124004785
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jebo.2024.106864
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Racial discrimination; Sharing economy; Gig economy platforms; Airbnb; Salience; Platform design;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J15 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Minorities, Races, Indigenous Peoples, and Immigrants; Non-labor Discrimination
    • L85 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Services - - - Real Estate Services

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