New Airbnb logo looks a bit rude

VIRTUAL-SkimlinksPromo%Airbnb reveals its new logo and the internet rejoices.

The lodging website unveiled the new logo as part of a major re-branding scheme this morning and it quickly sparked ridicule on Twitter, because, why wouldn't it?

The new design draws inevitable genitalia comparisons which makes you wonder, what were they thinking?

Blogs and social media sites were quick to add commentary on the questionable logo with Buzzfeed even collating a list of 18 things the symbol bears and uncanny resemblance to.

Airbnb's CEO Brian Chesky said the logo, which they're calling a 'Belo,' was inspired by famous logos from around the world, like the Olympic rings and Batman symbol.

The company's CEO added that the logo is so simple that anyone can draw it, but also so basic that it's not likely to be drawn the same way twice, a reflection of Airbnb's unique community of hosts.

"It's a symbol anyone can create, whether drawn on a mirror or etched in the sand," he added.

And so Twitter responds...

According to Fast Company, Chesky said that during the design process Airbnb's design studio started to look like Russell Crowe's workshop in A Beautiful Mind. They were overwhelmed with an absurd number of mood boards and brand identity studies, which included "the Red Cross, the Olympic rings, and probably the most important symbol of all, Batman's," reveals Chesky.

And yet this is what they came up with...(*shakes head*)

Twitter user, Shaun Pendergast has his own take on the thought process behind the controversial logo.

Airbnb is also introducing a tool called Create, to enable users to customize their own Airbnb logos, reports the Daily Mail. As if they needed any encouragement if this Tumblr page is anything to go by.

According to the Independent, DiGiorno's Pizza recently found out the hard way that this promotional tool does not always work in your favour when it was inundated with pies covered in phallically-arranged pepperoni. Well done internet.

This video posted by the company on YouTube says the logo stands for four thing: people, place, love, and Airbnb.

One Twitter user has other ideas...

What do you think of the new logo? Let us know in the comments below.