Airbnb Localization
Airbnb 2023 Winter Release Localization
Translation Consistency and Accuracy
Airbnb introduced three major upgrades to its existing features for its 2023 Winter Release, which aimed to help guests understand exactly what to expect before they booked: Guest Favorites, Ratings & Reviews and Listing tabs featuring a set of tools to help Hosts better showcase their homes.
Product Screen localization is the process of adapting Airbnb’s product screens from the English-US version to a localized version specific to a country or region. Most often, it involves the translation to the local language of the country or region, but can also account for additional elements such as: currency display, time display, calendar display, display of taxes and/or other fees due to local regulations, etc.
Localization Workflow + Timing
The Localization and Screens team work hand in hand to ensure that product screens used in launch + marketing materials are product and language accurate for local markets.
Overall localization workflow and key milestones are planned and defined by the Localization team and should be adhered to when creating project schedules. When screens are localized they should be compared to the ‘en-US’ source screen and examined for common design shifts often introduced during the translation/localization process.
Design Adjustments and Creative Liberties
More often than not, adjustments within product-accuracy range can be addressed. When design changes are merited as a result of translations, there are two categories of changes: design adjustments or creative liberties within a “product-accurate” range.
Duration
10 weeks
Role
Lead Production Designer