AirBnB

Airbnb, Inc. is an online marketplace that enables people to list, discover, and book lodging and tourism experiences around the world. The company was founded in 2008 in San Francisco by Brian Chesky, Joe Gebbia, and Nathan Blecharczyk to help people rent space in their homes and travelers find alternatives to hotels.

Airbnb's platform connects hosts who list spaces with guests who want to stay. Hosts set availability and pricing and provide house rules; guests can book instantly or contact hosts to arrange details. Airbnb collects a service fee from guests and a separate fee from hosts for each reservation. In addition to lodging, the company offers Airbnb Experiences, a curated set of activities led by local hosts, and other product lines such as Airbnb Luxe and Airbnb Plus focusing on higher-end stays.

To foster trust, Airbnb uses profiles, user reviews, identity verification, and a 24/7 safety and support system. The company has pursued safety programs, host guarantees, and policy updates to address safety, compliance, and liability concerns.

Airbnb operates globally but faces regulatory scrutiny in many jurisdictions. Some cities impose limits on short-term rentals, licensing requirements, or caps on listings, citing housing affordability and neighborhood impact. The platform has also influenced hotel and tourism markets and local economies, with debates over revenue, housing supply, and neighborhood character.

Airbnb remained a private company until its 2020 initial public offering, after which it trades on public markets under the ABNB ticker. The company is headquartered in San Francisco and led by CEO Brian Chesky. It continues to expand its platform through product development, marketplace governance, and partnerships with hosts and communities.