Challenging Airbnb 'from within': A study of hosts' individual and collective strategies

The impacts of the short-term rental platform Airbnb on local housing markets and residents’ lives have sparked public and academic debate. Opposition to these impacts has emerged through community-led initiatives, public manifestations, online activism and local government interventions. However, the role of platform users in asserting their political agency to influence Airbnb's mediation of hosting activities and its various modes of governance is less understood. This study uses a multi-method qualitative approach to better understand how Airbnb hosts perceive the platform's governance of their activities. Secondly, it explores how users encounter and respond to Airbnb's governance through individual or collective strategies. Focusing on Barcelona (Spain) and Amsterdam (the Netherlands), the study examines users’ concerns about Airbnb's mediation and governance, outlining strategies for users to mobilise efforts and direct action to influence Airbnb's practices and policies, potentially moving towards a fairer and more just platform economy.