Changes in Zillow’s Listing Policy
Recently, Zillow made a significant change to its listing policy in response to properties listed in the MLS in a delayed status. This change impacted the visibility of such listings on Zillow, as the platform relies on IDX feeds for its listing portal. To address this issue, Zillow has introduced a Virtual Office Website (VOW).
A Zillow spokesperson confirmed that the VOW is now accessible on the Zillow website, with availability on the mobile application expected soon. The spokesperson emphasized that this change was made to ensure maximum listing coverage for home shoppers.
Zillow estimates that less than 1% of listings will only be available on the VOW feed, which serves as a supplement to the main Zillow site. Consumers can access the VOW site by logging in to Zillow, without any obligation to work exclusively with Zillow.
This adjustment by Zillow aims to address the confusion surrounding its listing standards policy, particularly concerning delayed listings. The policy, which requires listings to be available on Zillow within 24 hours of public marketing, has raised concerns among real estate professionals.
Notably, a lawsuit between Zillow and Compass has emerged, with Compass alleging that Zillow’s policy hinders its agents and clients from utilizing Compass’s marketing strategies effectively.
Despite the controversy, an increasing number of home sellers are opting to utilize Compass’s marketing plan, leading to a rise in the brokerage’s exclusive listing inventory.