Airbnb: hosts list. Guests search. Both need clean UX. Search + calendar + pricing + booking + payments — all coordinated. Here's the system.
Search with location + dates
Elasticsearch geo queries. Filter by amenities, price, availability. Rank by relevance + booking probability.
Search with location + dates
Elasticsearch geo queries. Filter by amenities, price, availability. Rank by relevance + booking probability.
Availability is critical
Calendar shared with iCal, Vrbo, Booking.com. Sync issues = double bookings. Real-time updates + push notifications.
Smart pricing
ML predicts demand + suggests price. Considers season, events, comparable listings. Hosts opt in; model refined over time.
Booking is a transaction
Guest requests. Host approves (or Instant Book). Payment authorized. Confirmation. Different flows per property.
Trust + safety
Photo verification. Government ID checks. Review system. Insurance layer. Trust is foundational to marketplace.