Listing Standards Policy

This Listing Standards Policy defines the requirements, quality standards, and prohibitions that govern all Experience Listings published on BookInstead.com. It applies to all Operators and is incorporated by reference into the Operator Terms of Service. Listings that do not meet these standards are subject to revision requests, suppression, removal, or account action.

Section 1. Purpose and Scope

1.1 Why Listing Standards Exist

BookInstead’s marketplace depends entirely on Guest trust. A Guest making a booking cannot physically inspect an Experience before purchasing it. They rely on Listing content — descriptions, photos, pricing, and requirements — to make an informed decision. When that content is inaccurate, incomplete, or misleading, Guests are harmed, disputes increase, and the reputation of the Platform suffers.

These Listing Standards exist to protect Guests from misrepresentation, to protect Operators from disputes arising from unclear or incomplete Listings, and to protect BookInstead’s integrity as a marketplace. These are not aspirational guidelines — they are binding obligations. Every Operator who publishes a Listing on BookInstead agrees to meet and maintain these standards continuously.

1.2 Scope

This Policy applies to:

All new Listings submitted for review and approval.
All existing Listings, on an ongoing basis following approval.
All Listing updates, edits, photo changes, and pricing modifications submitted after initial approval.
All promotional or seasonal Listing variants created by the Operator.

BookInstead reserves the right to review any Listing at any time for compliance with this Policy, regardless of how long the Listing has been active on the Platform. Prior approval of a Listing does not waive BookInstead’s right to require revisions or remove the Listing if it is subsequently found to be non-compliant.

1.3 Relationship to Operator Terms of Service

This Policy supplements and is incorporated into the BookInstead Operator Terms of Service. In the event of a conflict between this Policy and the Operator Terms of Service on a listing-specific matter, this Policy controls. Violations of this Policy constitute violations of the Operator Terms of Service and are subject to the consequences described therein, including listing suspension, account termination, and payout holds.

Section 2. Definitions

Term	Definition
Listing	An Operator-created page on the BookInstead Platform that describes a specific Experience available for booking, including all associated content, photos, pricing, availability, and terms.
Experience	Any tour, activity, excursion, rental, guided event, adventure, or related service offered by an Operator through a Listing.
Primary Photo	The first and featured image displayed on a Listing, used as the thumbnail in search results, category pages, and marketing materials.
Listing Description	The full written text of a Listing, including the short summary, detailed itinerary or activity description, inclusions and exclusions, requirements, and meeting instructions.
Material Misrepresentation	A significant, verifiable discrepancy between what a Listing describes and what the Guest actually receives, including wrong activity type, false location, significantly fewer inclusions, or omitted safety requirements.
Cancellation Tier	The refund policy level selected by the Operator for a Listing: Standard (24-hour window) or Extended (up to 7 days), displayed to Guests at checkout.
Availability Calendar	The Operator-managed schedule of available dates and time slots for a Listing, visible to Guests during the booking process.
Add-On	An optional supplemental item or service that Guests may select at checkout in addition to the base Experience, such as equipment upgrades, photo packages, or transportation.
Listing Review	BookInstead’s internal evaluation of a new or updated Listing for compliance with this Policy before publication or re-publication.
Listing Suppression	The temporary removal of a Listing from public view without terminating the Operator’s account, applied while a compliance issue is under review or pending correction.
Prohibited Activity	Any Experience type that BookInstead does not permit to be listed on the Platform, as defined in Section 6 of this Policy.
Quality Score	An internal rating assigned to each Listing by BookInstead’s algorithm based on completeness, photo quality, Guest review scores, cancellation rate, and response time. Affects Listing visibility in search results.

Section 3. Required Listing Elements

Every Listing submitted to BookInstead must contain all of the following elements before it will be approved for publication. Incomplete Listings will be returned to the Operator with a revision request. Listings that become incomplete after approval due to outdated information are subject to suppression until the missing elements are restored.

3.1 Listing Title

The Listing title must:

Accurately describe the type of Experience and its primary location.
Be written in plain English, free of special characters, excessive punctuation, or ALL CAPS formatting.
Be between 10 and 80 characters in length.
Not contain pricing information, promotional language (“Best,” “#1,” “Amazing”), or unverifiable superlatives.
Not contain the names of competing booking platforms.
Not duplicate the title of another active Listing by the same Operator unless the Experiences are genuinely distinct.

Good title examples: “Sunset Kayak Tour of Corpus Christi Bay” | “Half-Day ATV Adventure in Hill Country” | “Private Snorkeling Charter — Clearwater Beach”

Poor title examples: “BEST EVER Boat Tour!! Book NOW” | “Amazing Experience You Will Love” | “Tour (see Viator for details)”

3.2 Short Description

The short description is a 50–160 character summary displayed in search results and category pages. It must:

Summarize what the Experience is and why it is appealing in plain, accurate language.
Not duplicate the Listing title verbatim.
Not contain pricing, promotional urgency language, or calls to action.
Be free of grammatical errors and written in complete sentences.

3.3 Full Listing Description

The full Listing description must provide Guests with a complete, honest, and detailed account of what to expect. It must include all of the following components, each in its own clearly labeled section:

Description Component	What It Must Include	Minimum Length
Overview	What the Experience is, the general activity type, the setting, and the target audience.	75 words
Itinerary or Activity Flow	A chronological or structured description of what happens during the Experience, including major stops, activities, and transitions.	100 words
What’s Included	An itemized list of everything covered in the booking price: equipment, transportation, food/beverages, safety gear, guide services, entrance fees, etc.	3 items minimum
What’s Not Included	An itemized list of items or services Guests must provide or pay for separately, including gratuity if not included.	1 item minimum
Meeting Point	The exact street address or precise landmark where Guests must arrive, plus parking instructions if applicable.	Full address required
Duration	Total Experience length in hours and minutes, including check-in, briefing, and any post-activity wrap-up.	Specific time required
Participant Requirements	All age minimums, weight limits, health restrictions, fitness requirements, swimming ability, prior experience, or skill level prerequisites.	All applicable items
What to Bring	A specific list of items Guests must bring: appropriate clothing, footwear, sunscreen, ID, waiver acknowledgment, etc.	All applicable items
Cancellation Terms	Clear disclosure of the applicable Cancellation Tier (Standard 24-hour or Extended up to 7-day) and what Guests receive upon cancellation.	Tier clearly named
Waiver Notice	If Guests are required to sign a liability waiver or release, this must be disclosed in the Listing description with a link to the full waiver text.	Required if applicable
Language	The language(s) in which the Experience is conducted.	At least one language
Group Size	Minimum and maximum number of participants per booking or per session.	Both min and max

Descriptions must be written in English. Operators may provide additional translated descriptions, but the English description is the authoritative version for dispute purposes.

3.4 Pricing

Pricing information must be:

Displayed in U.S. dollars.
Complete — inclusive of all mandatory charges Guests will incur at the time of booking, with no hidden fees disclosed only at the Experience.
Clearly labeled by pricing basis: per person, per group, per vehicle, per vessel, etc.
Accurate and consistent with what Guests are charged at checkout. Any discrepancy between the displayed price and the checkout price is a violation of this Policy.

Optional add-ons may be listed separately at their individual prices. Mandatory fees that are not optional — such as required gratuity, mandatory equipment rental, or mandatory fuel surcharge — must be included in the base price or disclosed as a mandatory additional charge before checkout.

3.5 Availability Calendar

Operators must maintain an accurate, up-to-date availability calendar for every active Listing. Calendar standards include:

Available dates and time slots must reflect actual operational availability. Operators must not display availability for dates they are not prepared to fulfill.
Unavailable dates must be blocked in the calendar within twenty-four (24) hours of becoming unavailable.
Seasonal closures, maintenance windows, and planned unavailability must be reflected in the calendar at least fourteen (14) days in advance where possible.
Operators with multiple Listings must ensure that their combined calendar availability does not create double-booking scenarios.

A Listing with a stale or inaccurate availability calendar — evidenced by Operator cancellations due to unavailability on listed dates — is in violation of this Policy and subject to suppression.

3.6 Cancellation Tier Selection

Every Listing must have a Cancellation Tier clearly designated:

Standard Tier: Guests may cancel for a full refund up to twenty-four (24) hours before the Experience Start Time.
Extended Tier: Guests may cancel for a full refund up to seven (7) calendar days before the Experience Start Time. This tier is optional and must be genuinely supported by the Operator’s operational flexibility.

Operators may not select the Extended Tier as a marketing tactic if they do not intend to honor it. Any Operator who consistently disputes Extended Tier refund requests or cancels confirmed Bookings made under the Extended Tier will have the tier removed from their Listing.

3.7 Participant Requirements Disclosure

Complete and accurate disclosure of all participant requirements is mandatory. Operators must disclose:

Minimum and maximum age limits for participants.
Minimum and maximum weight limits where safety equipment (harnesses, life jackets, vehicles) has rated weight capacities.
Health conditions that disqualify participation, such as heart conditions, pregnancy, back problems, seizure disorders, or vertigo.
Minimum swimming ability where water-based risk is present.
Required fitness level (e.g., ability to walk 3 miles, climb stairs, stand for 4 hours).
Required prior experience or skill level for technical activities such as rock climbing, scuba diving, or backcountry hiking.
Sobriety requirements — Operators must disclose whether they prohibit participation by individuals who are visibly intoxicated.

Failure to disclose a requirement that results in a Guest being excluded from an Experience at the time of arrival constitutes a Material Misrepresentation. The Operator will be required to refund the Guest in full and will receive a strike on their account.

3.8 Required Waivers and Legal Releases

If Guests are required to sign a liability waiver, assumption of risk agreement, or other legal release before participating, the Listing must:

Clearly state in the description that a waiver is required before participation.
Provide a direct link to the full text of the waiver document so Guests can review it before booking.
Specify whether the waiver must be signed digitally before the Experience or in person at the meeting point.

Operators may not present a waiver to a Guest at the Experience location for the first time without prior disclosure in the Listing. A Guest who declines to sign an undisclosed waiver at the Experience location is entitled to a full refund as though the Operator had canceled the Booking.

Section 4. Photo and Visual Content Standards

4.1 Photo Requirements

Photos are the single most influential element of a Listing. Guests rely on photos to form their primary impression of an Experience. All photos submitted with a Listing must meet the following requirements:

Requirement	Standard
Minimum quantity	At least 5 photos per Listing. Listings with fewer than 5 photos will not be approved.
Recommended quantity	8 to 15 photos for optimal search visibility and Guest conversion.
Minimum resolution	1200 x 800 pixels. Photos below this resolution will be rejected.
Aspect ratio	Landscape orientation preferred (3:2 or 16:9). Portrait photos accepted but not recommended for primary display.
File format	JPEG or PNG. HEIC files must be converted before upload.
Maximum file size	10 MB per photo.
Content accuracy	Photos must accurately represent the actual Experience being offered, including location, activity type, and equipment. Photos may not depict activities or scenery not included in the Experience.
Original content	Photos must be owned by the Operator or taken by a photographer who has granted the Operator full commercial usage rights. Stock photos, AI-generated images, and photos borrowed from other operators are strictly prohibited.
Photo order	The Primary Photo (first in sequence) must be the most visually compelling, technically sharp, and representative photo in the set. It is used as the Listing thumbnail across the Platform.
Watermarks and overlays	Photos must not contain watermarks, logos, text overlays, website URLs, phone numbers, promotional text, or pricing information.

4.2 Prohibited Photo Content

The following photo content is strictly prohibited and will result in immediate removal of the photo and a revision request to the Operator:

Stock photography from any source, including paid stock libraries (Shutterstock, Getty Images, Adobe Stock) and free sources (Unsplash, Pexels).
AI-generated or digitally manipulated images that misrepresent the Experience, location, or equipment.
Photos taken at a different location than where the Experience is conducted.
Photos depicting a different activity type than the one offered in the Listing.
Photos of equipment, vehicles, or facilities that are not part of the Experience.
Photos depicting conditions (weather, crowd levels, scenery) that are materially different from typical Experience conditions.
Photos that contain any individual’s face without confirmed model release, unless the individual is the Operator or a consenting staff member.
Photos that are sexually suggestive, violent, discriminatory, or otherwise inappropriate.
Photos taken by competitors or from other operators’ listings.
Screenshots of Google Maps, social media posts, or review sites.

4.3 Video Content

Operators may optionally include one (1) video in their Listing. Video content is subject to the same accuracy and originality requirements as photos, and additionally must:

Be no longer than three (3) minutes in duration.
Not contain third-party music without a valid synchronization license.
Not contain promotional text overlays, countdown timers, or off-platform contact information.
Be hosted on YouTube or Vimeo and linked through the Listing’s video field. Direct video uploads are not currently supported.
Not be an advertisement or commercial for the Operator’s broader business — it must specifically represent the listed Experience.

Section 5. Accuracy, Honesty, and Anti-Deception Standards

5.1 The Accuracy Standard

Every element of a Listing — title, description, photos, pricing, requirements, and availability — must accurately reflect the Experience as it will actually be delivered. The accuracy standard is not met by technically true statements that create a misleading overall impression. The question BookInstead applies is: would a reasonable Guest, having read this Listing and then experienced the Experience, feel that they received what was described?

If the answer is no — not because of the Guest’s personal preferences, but because of a genuine discrepancy between the Listing and the Experience — the Operator is in violation of this Policy regardless of whether any individual statement was technically false.

5.2 Specific Accuracy Requirements by Listing Element

Listing Element	Accuracy Requirement	Common Violation Examples
Location	Must reflect the actual departure and primary operating location.	Listing shows beach address; actual meeting point is a parking lot 2 miles inland.
Duration	Must reflect actual time from guest arrival to departure, including setup and briefing.	Listing says “3 hours”; actual paddling time is 45 minutes.
Inclusions	Must list only items actually provided. Conditional inclusions must be clearly labeled.	Listing says “lunch included”; meal is only provided on weekend trips.
Equipment quality	Description of equipment condition, model, or age must be accurate.	Listing says “new kayaks”; Operator provides 10-year-old boats with duct tape repairs.
Guide qualifications	Any credential, certification, or expertise claimed for guides must be currently held and verifiable.	Listing says “certified marine biologist guide”; guide has no biology background.
Group size	Must reflect maximum number of guests per session as actually operated.	Listing says “max 8 guests”; Operator runs sessions with up to 20.
Scenery and views	Visual claims must reflect typical conditions, not best-case scenarios.	Listing promises “guaranteed wildlife sightings”; none are guaranteed.
Difficulty level	Must accurately reflect physical demands and skill requirements.	Listing says “suitable for all fitness levels”; Experience requires sustained physical exertion.
Private vs. shared	Must clearly indicate whether the Experience is private or may include strangers.	Listing uses language suggesting a private experience; Operator runs shared group tours.
Seasonal conditions	Listings available year-round must account for seasonal variation in conditions.	Listing shows lush green scenery in summer photos; Experience offered in winter without disclosure of seasonal difference.

5.3 Prohibited Claims and Language

The following types of claims and language are prohibited in any Listing on BookInstead, regardless of their technical accuracy:

5.3.1 Unverifiable Superlatives

Operators may not make unverifiable ranking or quality claims, including:

“#1 tour in [city]” or “best tour in [state]” unless independently verified by a named, credible third-party publication and attributed in the Listing.
“Award-winning” unless a specific, verifiable award is named along with the awarding organization and year.
“World-class,” “legendary,” “iconic,” or similar superlatives used without factual basis.

5.3.2 Guarantee Claims

Operators may not guarantee outcomes that are inherently uncertain, including:

“Guaranteed dolphin sightings” or “guaranteed wildlife encounters.”
“Guaranteed perfect weather” or “sunshine guaranteed.”
“You will see [specific landmark, animal, or phenomenon].”

Operators may state that wildlife is “frequently spotted” or “commonly seen” during the Experience if this is accurate. Probability-based language is acceptable; guarantee language is not.

5.3.3 False Scarcity and Urgency

Operators may not use deceptive urgency tactics, including:

“Only 2 spots left!” unless the Listing system actually reflects two or fewer available spots.
“Price increases tomorrow” or “limited-time offer” unless tied to a genuine, time-limited promotion.
“Book now or miss out” phrasing designed to pressure Guests into uninformed bookings.

5.3.4 Competitor References

Operators may not reference competing booking platforms by name in their Listings, including Viator, GetYourGuide, TripAdvisor Experiences, Airbnb Experiences, or any similar platform. Such references are prohibited regardless of context, including comparisons, redirections, or statements of availability.

5.3.5 Off-Platform Contact Information

Operators may not include in their Listing any phone numbers, email addresses, website URLs, social media handles, QR codes, or any other contact information intended to direct Guests to book or communicate off the Platform. This prohibition applies to the description, photos, video, and any other Listing element.

5.4 Seasonally Sensitive Listings

Listings that are subject to significant seasonal variation in scenery, conditions, wildlife, or included activities must disclose these variations clearly. Operators must either:

Maintain separate Listings for different seasonal offerings (e.g., “Spring Wildflower Tour” vs. “Fall Color Tour”), or
Include a clearly labeled “Seasonal Conditions” section in the description disclosing how the Experience may differ by season, including which photos represent which season.

Operating a Listing without seasonal disclosure while conditions materially differ from the photos or description constitutes a violation of the accuracy standard in Section 5.1.

Section 6. Prohibited Experience Types and Content

6.1 Absolutely Prohibited Experience Types

The following Experience types may not be listed on BookInstead under any circumstances, regardless of their legality in a given jurisdiction. These prohibitions are non-negotiable and are not subject to exception requests:

The following categories are permanently prohibited on BookInstead.com:

Any Experience involving the sexual exploitation of any person, including adult entertainment, escort services, or any activity with sexual components.
Any Experience involving minors in activities that could constitute child abuse, exploitation, or endangerment.
Any Experience that involves the use, purchase, distribution, or facilitation of illegal controlled substances.
Any Experience involving illegal hunting, fishing, or wildlife trafficking, including the sale or trade of protected species.
Any Experience that facilitates access to, or training in, the illegal use of weapons, explosives, or destructive devices.
Any Experience that constitutes or facilitates fraud, money laundering, or financial crime.
Any Experience operated without the required government licenses, permits, or safety certifications in the applicable jurisdiction.
Any Experience involving animal cruelty, illegal animal fighting, or the exploitation of animals in ways prohibited by applicable law or by BookInstead’s Animal Welfare Standards (Section 6.3).
Any Experience involving trespassing on private property or unauthorized access to restricted areas.
Any Experience designed to promote, glorify, or facilitate hate speech, terrorism, or violence against any individual or group.

6.2 Restricted Experience Types Requiring Pre-Approval

The following Experience types are permitted on BookInstead but require additional documentation, pre-approval, and ongoing compliance verification before and during their active listing period:

Experience Type	Additional Requirements	Review Process
Aviation (skydiving, helicopter, hot air balloon)	FAA Part 135 or Part 91 operator certificate; liability insurance minimum $1M per seat.	Manual review required. 10–15 business day approval timeline.
Water-based (SCUBA, deep-sea fishing, motorized watercraft)	U.S. Coast Guard license for charter operators; marine liability insurance; state permit.	Manual review required. 7–10 business day approval timeline.
Firearms and shooting sports (legal shooting ranges, guided hunts)	State and federal firearms dealer/operator license; range safety officer on site.	Manual review required. 10–15 business day approval timeline.
Rock climbing, rappelling, ropes courses	AMGA or equivalent guide certification; anchor inspection records; liability waiver required.	Standard review. 5–7 business day approval timeline.
Off-road vehicles (ATVs, UTVs, dirt bikes)	State operating permit for off-road trail use; vehicle safety inspection records; helmet policy disclosed.	Standard review. 5–7 business day approval timeline.
Experiences with alcohol service	State liquor license or TABC permit; responsible service policy disclosed; minimum age 21 disclosed.	Standard review. 5–7 business day approval timeline.
Experiences on federal or state land (national parks, forests)	Concession permit or special use permit from the applicable agency.	Manual review required. 7–10 business day approval timeline.
Experiences involving food preparation or service	Current food handler’s permit or food establishment license for all food preparation staff.	Standard review. 5–7 business day approval timeline.

Operators offering Restricted Experience types who fail to maintain the required documentation and permits are subject to immediate Listing suppression and may not relist until compliance is confirmed.

6.3 Animal Welfare Standards

BookInstead permits Experiences that involve animals, provided the Operator meets the following standards. These standards apply to all wildlife, domesticated animals, and working animals involved in or encountered during an Experience:

All animals used in an Experience must be legally owned, licensed for commercial use, and cared for in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local animal welfare laws, including the Animal Welfare Act where applicable.
Operators offering wildlife encounters must ensure that interactions are passive, non-invasive, and do not involve physically restraining, sedating, or domestically confining wild animals for the purpose of Guest contact.
Riding, handling, or direct contact with exotic or wild animals (big cats, primates, elephants, bears, etc.) is prohibited unless the Operator holds a USDA Class C exhibitor license and the interaction is conducted in full compliance with USDA standards.
Operators offering working animal Experiences (horseback riding, dog sledding, camel rides) must comply with all applicable licensing requirements and must not operate working animals in conditions of distress, inadequate nutrition, or physical injury.
Wildlife-based Experiences must disclose whether animals are wild or captive, and must not market captive encounters as wild wildlife experiences.

BookInstead will remove any Listing and terminate any Operator account where credible evidence of animal abuse, illegal wildlife trafficking, or exploitation of animals is reported and confirmed.

Section 7. Listing Review and Approval Process

7.1 New Listing Submission

All new Listings must be submitted through the Operator Dashboard and are subject to BookInstead’s Listing Review process before publication. The Listing Review evaluates the Listing for compliance with all standards in this Policy, including content accuracy, photo quality, required element completeness, pricing transparency, and prohibited activity screening.

The Listing Review timeline is as follows:

Listing Type	Standard Review Time	Expedited Review (Fee May Apply)
Standard Experience (tours, activities, rentals)	3 to 5 business days	1 to 2 business days
Restricted Experience (requires pre-approval)	7 to 15 business days	Not available for restricted types
Listing update (material change)	2 to 3 business days	Same day (fee applies)
Suppressed Listing reinstatement	3 to 5 business days after compliance confirmation	1 to 2 business days

7.2 Review Outcomes

Following a Listing Review, BookInstead will notify the Operator of one of the following outcomes:

Approved: The Listing meets all standards and is published on the Platform.
Approved with Recommendations: The Listing meets minimum standards but has identified areas that could improve search visibility or conversion. The Operator is encouraged but not required to address these items.
Revision Required: The Listing does not meet one or more required standards. BookInstead will provide specific, itemized revision requests. The Listing will not be published until all required revisions are made and approved.
Rejected: The Listing describes a Prohibited Activity, cannot be made compliant, or was submitted in bad faith. Rejection may be appealed once within fourteen (14) calendar days by contacting operators@bookinstead.com with a written explanation.

7.3 Material Listing Updates

The following types of Listing changes are considered material and require re-review before the updated version is published:

Changes to the Experience type, primary activity, or core itinerary.
Changes to the meeting location or operating area.
Changes to participant eligibility requirements (age, weight, health).
Addition or removal of significant inclusions or exclusions.
Changes to the Cancellation Tier.
Replacement of three (3) or more photos.
Changes to pricing structure (per-person vs. per-group, add-on structure).

Non-material changes — including minor wording updates, single photo replacements, calendar updates, and pricing adjustments within the same pricing structure — do not require re-review and take effect immediately upon submission.

7.4 Ongoing Compliance Monitoring

BookInstead monitors active Listings on an ongoing basis for compliance with this Policy through automated quality checks, Guest dispute data, review content analysis, and periodic manual audits. An active Listing may be flagged for re-review at any time if:

Three (3) or more Guest reviews mention a discrepancy between the Listing and the actual Experience.
A dispute resolved in a Guest’s favor cites Material Misrepresentation.
An Operator’s account triggers a compliance alert (license lapse, insurance gap, chargeback spike).
A Guest or third party files a written complaint about Listing accuracy with BookInstead.
BookInstead’s automated systems detect a statistically significant change in the Listing’s review score, cancellation rate, or dispute rate.

Section 8. Listing Quality Score and Search Visibility

8.1 What Is the Quality Score

Every active Listing on BookInstead is assigned a Quality Score — an internal metric that influences the Listing’s ranking and visibility in search results, category pages, and featured placements. The Quality Score is not publicly displayed to Operators or Guests but directly affects how many Guests see and engage with a Listing.

BookInstead uses the Quality Score to surface the most trustworthy and complete Listings to Guests first. Operators who invest in high-quality Listings benefit from increased visibility, higher booking rates, and access to promotional placement opportunities.

8.2 Quality Score Components

Quality Factor	Weight	How to Maximize
Average Guest Rating (1–5 stars)	30%	Deliver consistently excellent Experiences. Respond professionally to negative reviews.
Listing Completeness Score	20%	Complete every required and optional Listing element. Provide at least 10 photos.
Photo Quality Rating	15%	Submit original, high-resolution, accurately representative photos. Primary photo is critical.
Operator Cancellation Rate	15%	Honor all confirmed Bookings. Keep non-qualifying cancellations at zero.
Booking Completion Rate	10%	Ensure accurate availability so that all confirmed Bookings result in a completed Experience.
Response Time to Guest Messages	5%	Respond to all Guest inquiries within 2 hours during business hours.
Dispute Rate	5%	Maintain a dispute rate below 1% of total Bookings.

8.3 Quality Score Thresholds and Consequences

The following thresholds govern the relationship between Quality Score and Listing visibility:

Score Range	Status	Platform Treatment
90 – 100	Elite	Eligible for featured placement, homepage spotlights, and BookInstead promotional campaigns.
75 – 89	Strong	Standard search visibility. Eligible for category spotlights.
60 – 74	Meets Standard	Normal search visibility. No promotional eligibility.
45 – 59	Needs Improvement	Reduced search visibility. Operator receives a written improvement notice.
30 – 44	At Risk	Significantly reduced visibility. Mandatory improvement plan required within 14 days.
Below 30	Suppression Review	Listing placed under review. May be suppressed pending corrective action plan and BookInstead approval.

Section 9. Enforcement — Violations, Consequences, and Appeals

9.1 Violation Categories

Listing violations are categorized by severity to ensure proportionate enforcement:

Category	Violation Type	Examples
Minor	Technical deficiencies that do not mislead Guests but fall below standard.	Description under minimum length; missing “what to bring” section; calendar not updated within 48 hours.
Moderate	Inaccuracies or omissions that could create Guest confusion or mild disappointment.	Inclusions list overstated; meeting location description imprecise; photo shows different season without disclosure.
Serious	Misrepresentations that resulted in, or could result in, Guest harm, financial loss, or safety risk.	Participant requirements not disclosed; guide credential falsely claimed; group size significantly exceeded.
Critical	Intentional deception, prohibited activity, or safety violation.	Prohibited Experience type listed; off-platform contact information embedded; Animal Welfare violation; falsified safety certification.

9.2 Enforcement Actions by Violation Category

Category	Enforcement Action
Minor	Written notice to Operator with specific revision requirements. 7-day cure period. No account action if corrected in time.
Moderate	Written notice with 3-day cure period. Listing may be suppressed until corrections are verified. First occurrence: warning. Second occurrence: 7-day suppression. Third occurrence: 30-day suppression.
Serious	Immediate Listing suppression. Operator notified within 24 hours. 5-business-day review period. Operator must submit corrective action plan for reinstatement. Guest disputes arising from the violation are resolved against the Operator.
Critical	Immediate permanent Listing removal. Account suspension. All pending payouts held. No reinstatement for prohibited activities. Account termination proceedings initiated per Operator Terms of Service.

9.3 Operator Appeal Process

Operators who disagree with a Listing suppression, violation notice, or enforcement action may submit a written appeal to operators@bookinstead.com within fourteen (14) calendar days of the enforcement action. The appeal must include:

The Operator’s account email address and the affected Listing ID.
A clear description of the grounds for the appeal.
All supporting evidence, including photos, documentation, or communications that support the Operator’s position.

BookInstead’s Listing Standards team will review the appeal and issue a written decision within seven (7) business days. The appeal decision is final. Suppressed Listings remain suppressed during the appeal review period unless BookInstead determines that immediate reinstatement is warranted based on the evidence submitted.

9.4 Reinstatement After Suppression

A suppressed Listing may be reinstated after the Operator has:

Made all required corrections identified in the suppression notice.
Submitted a corrective action plan (for Serious violations) or a compliance confirmation statement (for Moderate violations) to operators@bookinstead.com.
Received written confirmation from BookInstead that the corrections are sufficient.
Any applicable suppression period has elapsed.

Reinstatement is not automatic. The Operator must proactively notify BookInstead that corrections have been made and request a reinstatement review. BookInstead will complete the review within three (3) to five (5) business days of receiving the reinstatement request.

Section 10. General Provisions

10.1 Policy Updates

BookInstead may update this Listing Standards Policy at any time to reflect changes in platform requirements, applicable law, industry standards, or safety practices. Material changes will be communicated to Operators via email at least fourteen (14) calendar days before taking effect. Continued use of the Platform after the effective date of a Policy update constitutes acceptance of the revised standards.

10.2 No Guarantee of Search Placement

Compliance with this Policy does not guarantee any specific level of search visibility, booking volume, or revenue. Search ranking is determined by the Quality Score algorithm described in Section 8 and by other platform factors at BookInstead’s discretion. BookInstead reserves the right to adjust search ranking methodology at any time.

10.3 BookInstead’s Editorial Rights

BookInstead reserves the right to make minor editorial corrections to Listing content — such as correcting spelling errors, standardizing formatting, or removing prohibited language — without prior notice to the Operator. Substantive changes to Listing content will not be made without Operator notification. Operators may revert minor editorial changes through the Operator Dashboard.

10.4 Governing Documents

This Policy is part of BookInstead’s complete policy framework, which includes the Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, Cookie Policy, Cancellation and Refund Policy, Operator Terms of Service, and Payment Terms Policy. All policies are incorporated by reference into each other and must be read together.

Section 11. Contact Information

For all Listing Standards inquiries, violation appeals, reinstatement requests, and compliance questions:

Listing Standards Team: listings@bookinstead.com

Operator General Support: operators@bookinstead.com

Compliance and Licensing: compliance@bookinstead.com

Animal Welfare Reports: safety@bookinstead.com

Legal Notices: legal@bookinstead.com

Operator Portal: www.bookinstead.com/operators

Response Time: All Listing Standards inquiries are responded to within 2 business days. Suppression reviews are completed within 3 to 5 business days.