By Ryan Drew | Superhost and Vacation Rental Expert | Last Updated March 30, 2026
Here’s the honest answer: Airbnb removed its keyword search feature in 2016. You can no longer type a specific word like “hot tub” or “ocean view” into a search bar and get matching results. But that doesn’t mean you’re stuck. There are several effective workarounds — from Airbnb’s own filter system to a URL hack that unlocks hidden amenity filters — that let you find listings with exactly the features you want.
The Short Answer
Airbnb doesn’t have keyword search — but these 5 methods get you there
site:airbnb.com "hot tub" NashvilleJump To
Why Airbnb Doesn’t Have Keyword Search
Airbnb removed free-text keyword search in 2016 and has never brought it back. The official reason is that structured filters — amenity checkboxes, property type selectors, booking options — give more reliable results than keyword matching against listing descriptions, which are written by hosts with no consistency.
Airbnb’s help center currently states: “It’s not currently possible to search by keyword.” But the platform has expanded its filter options significantly since 2016, and there are workarounds that give you most of what keyword search would provide.
Method 1: Use Airbnb’s Filters (Best Starting Point)
Airbnb’s filter system is the official replacement for keyword search, and it covers most common amenity needs. After entering your location, dates, and guest count, click Filters on the results page.
Type of place
Entire home, private room, hotel room
Amenities
Pool, hot tub, kitchen, parking, washer, WiFi, EV charger
Booking options
Instant Book, self check-in, free cancellation
Accessibility
Step-free entry, grab bars, wide doorways
Property type
House, apartment, cabin, villa, boat, treehouse
Guest favorites
Highly rated homes, Superhosts only
The filters cover about 24 amenities in the standard interface. If your amenity is in that list, this is the fastest and most reliable method. If it’s not listed, move to Method 5.
Method 2: Category Tabs at the Top of Results
When you search Airbnb with a location and dates, a row of category tabs appears at the top of the results page — icons like Beachfront, Cabins, Amazing Pools, Lakefront, Skiing, Treehouses, and more. These function like keyword filters for the most popular property types and settings.
If your search intent matches one of these categories — for example you want a lakefront cabin — clicking the category tab is faster than using the filters menu. Airbnb continuously updates these categories based on what guests search for most.
Method 3: Google Site Search (Most Powerful for Specific Keywords)
This is the best workaround for specific keywords that Airbnb’s filters don’t cover. Use Google’s site search operator to search Airbnb listing content directly:
Google search formula
site:airbnb.com "your keyword" city name
Examples:
site:airbnb.com "Peloton" Boise Idaho
site:airbnb.com "ski-in ski-out" Park City
site:airbnb.com "fenced yard" "dog friendly" Nashville
This searches Google’s index of Airbnb listing pages for your exact keyword in the title, description, amenity list, or guest reviews. The results link directly to the Airbnb listing. Note that Google’s index may lag a few days and won’t catch listings where hosts didn’t mention the feature by name.
Method 4: Ctrl+F on the Results Page
After running a standard Airbnb search, use your browser’s find function (Ctrl+F on Windows, Command+F on Mac) and type your keyword. This scans the visible listing titles and preview text on the results page for matches.
It’s a quick scan — limited to what’s visible in the listing previews — but useful for common keywords that hosts often include in their listing titles like “studio,” “cabin,” “downtown,” or specific amenities they’re proud of.
Method 5: The URL Amenity Code Hack
This is the advanced method. Airbnb assigns a numeric code to every amenity hosts can list — over 115 of them — but only shows about 24 in the standard Filters menu. You can access the hidden ones by adding a code directly to your search URL.
How to use amenity codes
- Run a normal Airbnb search for your destination and dates
- Copy the full URL from your browser’s address bar
- Add
&amenities[]=CODENUMBERto the end - Press Enter — results update to show only matching listings
You can stack multiple codes: &amenities[]=27&amenities[]=69
Common amenity codes
7 — TV8 — Cable TV9 — Kitchen25 — Heating27 — Fireplace30 — Gym31 — Hangers45 — Hair dryer58 — Washer59 — Dryer73 — BBQ grill167 — Private pool210 — Outdoor shower611 — EV charger625 — Beach access660 — Ski-in/ski-outNote: Airbnb’s URL structure can change. If adding a code doesn’t filter results, the code may have been updated. Always verify the amenity is present by checking each listing directly.
Method 6: Message the Host Directly
For very specific requirements — a Peloton bike, a specific brand of coffee maker, blackout curtains, a crib that fits a specific size mattress — your most reliable option is to message the host before booking. Hosts know their properties and will confirm whether a feature exists.
Use Airbnb’s messaging system before booking. Ask specifically: “Do you have [feature]?” A good host will respond quickly and accurately. This protects you from showing up expecting something that isn’t there.
For Hosts: How Keywords Affect Your Listing’s Visibility
Even though guests can’t search by keyword directly, keywords in your listing title and description still matter — just through a different channel. Google indexes Airbnb listing pages, and guests using Google to find Airbnb properties with specific features will find your listing if you’ve mentioned those features by name.
Superhost tip: name your amenities explicitly
Don’t just check the “hot tub” box in your amenity settings — mention it in your listing title and description too. Guests searching Google for “Airbnb with hot tub Boise” will find your listing if “hot tub” appears in your text. Same goes for “Peloton,” “mountain view,” “fenced yard,” “EV charger,” or any other feature guests search specifically for. Also make sure every relevant amenity is checked in your listing settings — this is what powers both Airbnb’s filter system and the URL code hack.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you search Airbnb by keyword?
Not directly. Airbnb removed its keyword search feature in 2016. The best alternatives are the Filters menu for common amenities, a Google site search for specific keywords, or adding amenity codes to the search URL.
How do I search Airbnb by amenity?
Run a standard search, then click the Filters button on the results page. You’ll see checkboxes for about 24 amenities including pool, hot tub, kitchen, washer, WiFi, EV charger, and more. For amenities not listed in the filters, use the URL code method described above.
How do I search Airbnb for a specific feature like a Peloton or fireplace?
Use Google: site:airbnb.com "Peloton" [your city] or site:airbnb.com "fireplace" [your city]. This searches Google’s index of Airbnb listing descriptions for your exact term. You can also message any host whose listing looks close and ask directly.
What is the Airbnb URL amenity code hack?
Airbnb assigns a numeric code to every amenity. By adding &amenities[]=CODE to the end of any Airbnb search URL, you can filter results for amenities not shown in the standard filters menu. For example, adding &amenities[]=167 filters for private pool listings.
Can I search Airbnb by host name?
Not directly through Airbnb’s interface. You can use Google: site:airbnb.com "host name" to find listings associated with a specific host name if it appears on their listing pages.
Why did Airbnb remove keyword search?
Airbnb removed it in 2016, moving toward structured filters instead. The reasoning was that filter-based search produces more reliable results than text matching against inconsistent host-written descriptions. From Airbnb’s perspective, a guest filtering for “pool” via the amenity filter gets more consistent results than searching the word “pool” in free text.
