Redfin & Zillow Align on MLS Listing Standards

In a market-shifting move, real estate giants Redfin and Zillow have established strict new listing standards that will fundamentally alter how properties are marketed online. Effective May 2025, any property publicly marketed must be submitted to an MLS within 24 hours or it won't appear on either platform. This comes after Redfin had some industry shifting news of their own last month.

New Transparency Requirements Reshape Marketing Workflows

Both companies are enforcing standards that align with NAR's Clear Cooperation Policy, with a unified message: listings marketed to any buyer should be available to every buyer. Zillow's implementation eliminates "bait-and-switch" tactics that use exclusive listings as leverage, while Redfin emphasizes that "all buyers should be able to see all listings."

The data supports this shift toward transparency. Studies show consumers accessing private listing networks face significant disadvantages, with first-time buyers, lower-income groups, and communities of color disproportionately impacted by limited inventory visibility.

Redfin is also advocating for MLSs to create a "coming-soon" designation that prevents search sites from showing how long homes have been for sale and at what prices, giving sellers more control over their listing's public appearance.

Industry Impact and Agent Adaptation

Leading brokerages including eXp Realty have endorsed these standards. For agents, the key action point is ensuring marketing workflows include immediate MLS submission for any listing promoted publicly—even on social media or your own website.

By implementing these standards, both companies aim to create a more equitable marketplace where transparency benefits both consumers and industry professionals operating ethically.

Source: Buyers Should See All the Listings, Sellers Should Control How Their Listing Appears Online

#zillow #mls #clearcooperation #listingstandards