By Ryan Drew | Superhost and Vacation Rental Expert | Last Updated March 31, 2026
Airbnb recently redesigned its site to focus more on themed categories—like “Cabins,” “OMG!,” or “Design”—instead of allowing users to immediately plug in exact locations or filters like they used to. While this change was meant to inspire discovery, many users find it frustrating. If you’re trying to plan a trip based on your destination, travel dates, or specific amenities, the category-based layout can feel like a step backward.
But here’s the good news: there are still ways to bypass these categories and search the old-fashioned way. Whether you’re planning a business trip, looking for pet-friendly stays, or just want to browse by location, this article will show you how to search Airbnb without getting funneled into categories.
1. Use the Search Bar Directly
Start by going to the Airbnb homepage. Instead of clicking on any of the pre-selected category boxes, click directly into the search bar. Type your destination (like “Austin, Texas” or “Lake Tahoe”), select your dates, and choose the number of guests. Hit enter, and Airbnb will show results based on your location rather than a category.
If you don’t see the filters immediately, don’t worry—you can add them in the next step.
2. Apply Classic Filters
Once the list of stays appears, click the “Filters” button (sometimes displayed as “More filters”) near the top of the page. This gives you access to the old-school Airbnb filtering options:
- Price range
- Number of bedrooms
- Instant Book
- Pet-friendly
- Self check-in
- Wi-Fi
- Washer/dryer
- Hot tub
- And much more
This is the easiest way to skip themed categories and find what you want.
3. Bypass Categories With Map View
If you’re more interested in location than anything else, use the map view. Once you enter your destination, you’ll see a map on the right side of the screen. Zoom in on the exact neighborhood, city, or area you want. This effectively eliminates most category noise, helping you browse listings based on where they are—not how Airbnb wants to sort them.
4. Avoid the Homepage Altogether
Another trick? Use a direct URL. Instead of going to Airbnb.com and landing on the homepage full of categories, try going straight to a filtered link. For example:
https://www.airbnb.com/s/San-Diego--CA--United-States/homes
This URL skips the curated homepage and drops you directly into results for homes in San Diego. You can replace the location with whatever city or region you want.
5. Use Google Instead
If you’re really tired of Airbnb’s UI, try searching with Google. Just type:
site:airbnb.com "your destination" "your filters"
For example:
site:airbnb.com "Santa Fe" "pet friendly" "hot tub"
Google will return Airbnb links that match your keywords, sometimes giving you better control than Airbnb’s own internal search.
6. Install a Browser Extension (Optional)
Some third-party browser extensions (like “Airbnb Filter Remover”) attempt to restore the classic layout or give you more robust filtering tools. These are unofficial, so use them with caution, but many seasoned Airbnb users find them helpful for avoiding unwanted categories and exploring properties on their own terms.
Final Thoughts
Airbnb’s push toward themed categories may look sleek, but it isn’t always practical. Thankfully, with a little effort—and the tips above—you can still search Airbnb without categories and take back control of your travel plans. Whether you’re looking for a last-minute apartment in the city or a quiet retreat with a hot tub, you can still find exactly what you’re after—no “OMG!” tab required.
