Zillow is one of the first destinations people turn to when house hunting. A common question is: do MLS listings show on Zillow? In short — yes, most of them do, but recent changes have made the rules tougher. Below, CicloKick will walk you through exactly how Zillow uses MLS listings, what new policies affect visibility, and what buyers or sellers need to know in 2025.
What is the MLS and how does Zillow use it
When you see a home “for sale,” there’s often a Multiple Listing Service (MLS) behind that. The MLS is a network/database used by real estate agents:**
- Agents submit properties for sale, with photos, descriptions, price, etc.
- Other agents (and sometimes the public) can see these listings, depending on local rules.
Zillow and similar real-estate portals commonly get their data, not every listing that exists in an MLS always shows up — because of timing, privacy, local MLS rules, or seller/agent choices.
Recent changes that affect MLS listings on Zillow
In 2025, Zillow introduced new listing access standards that significantly affect whether a listing appears. These changes are rooted in transparency, fairness, and reducing “private” or “off-MLS” listings being hidden.
Here are the key changes and how they matter:
Zillow’s new rule: MLS within one day of public marketing
- If a home is publicly marketed in any way — social media post, yard sign, brokerage website, etc. — then it must be submitted to the MLS within one business day to qualify to be shown on Zillow or Trulia. If not, Zillow can refuse to show that listing.
- This is part of what Zillow refers to as its listing access standards, aligned with the National Association of Realtors’ (NAR) “Clear Cooperation” policy.
Enforcement and penalties
- Starting in late June 2025, Zillow began blocking non-compliant listings: those publicly marketing before being in the MLS.
- If an agent has three non-compliant listings, any further violations may lead to permanent block of those listings (for the life of the listing agreement).
What kinds of listings are affected (or exempt)
Some listings are not subject to these new rules:
- New construction directly marketed by builders is usually exempt.
- For-sale-by-owner (FSBO) or rental listings are treated differently, depending on whether or not they are publicized, MLS-listed, etc.
- Private/seller opt-out listings: If a seller has a legitimate reason (privacy, safety, etc.), they may opt out of having full public exposure. Even then, MLS rules and Zillow’s standards require certain disclosures or conditions.
What this means for buyers, sellers, and agents
These changes aren’t just technical—they shift how real-estate marketing works, and they have concrete effects:
- For buyers: you’re more likely to see all homes that are publicly being marketed. Less “hidden inventory” behind brokerage-exclusive or social-media-only posts. If a home is advertised at all, you should see it on Zillow (or Trulia) unless it’s legitimately held private.
- For sellers: if you want maximum exposure (which usually leads to more offers and possibly a higher sale price), you’ll want to make sure your agent lists your property in the MLS promptly — ideally before or right when you begin any public marketing. Failing to comply can lead Zillow to not list the property, which cuts visibility drastically.
- For agents: compliance matters. Agents who delay MLS submissions, use “pocket listings,” or otherwise market publicly before listing in MLS risk having those listings blocked on Zillow/Trulia entirely. Also, after a certain number of violations, penalties apply.
Are there still MLS-listings that don’t show on Zillow?
Yes — there are some situations where a property might be in an MLS, but not show up on Zillow, or show up later than expected. Some reasons:
- Local MLS restrictions: some MLSs have regional rules about how long listings remain hidden, when they show up on IDX feeds, etc.
- Agent or seller request: seller may request limited internet display or privacy settings.
- Timing delays: even under new rules, there may be small gaps while data propagates or while a listing is prepared (photos, description).
- Listings not publicly marketed yet: “coming soon” situations or internal previews may delay full public exposure. As long as they comply with entry into MLS in time, they may be valid under the exceptions.
How to check if a home is missing or hidden
If you’re a buyer and feel you’re not seeing everything on Zillow:
- Compare with local MLS data: Many local MLSs offer public portals. See if a listing exists there but not on Zillow.
- Talk to agents: Agents often know of upcoming “coming soon” listings or off-market ones.
- Watch for signs of off-market promotion: brokerage websites, private networks, social media may mention properties before they’re on MLS.
For sellers/agents:
- Ensure the MLS entry occurs before or simultaneous to public marketing.
- Understand and pick a brokerage familiar with these new Zillow policies.
- If privacy is a concern, use the opt-out or limited display options, but be aware of trade-offs in visibility.
Why Zillow made these changes
A few reasons drove Zillow’s new rules:
- Fairness & transparency: making sure all buyers have access to information and that there are no “secret” homes only shown to certain people.
- Regulatory alignment: matching up with NAR’s updated “Clear Cooperation Policy” which mandates that publicly marketed properties get listed on MLS within a short timeframe.
- Market trust & consumer expectations: people expect Zillow to show “everything” — if listings are hidden or delayed, trust drops. Zillow argues this move strengthens trust.
Conclusion
In conclusion, do MLS listings show on Zillow? Generally — yes. Zillow has updated its policies to require that any publicly marketed home must be listed in the MLS within one business day if it’s going to appear. These rules increase transparency and fairness, helping buyers see more, and pushing sellers and agents to play by clear rules.
If you’re buying, you’ll likely see more inventory in Zillow listings than before. If you’re selling, make sure your agent knows the rules — list in the MLS on time, or risk missing out on big exposure.
Want to stay ahead? Keep an eye on your local MLS, know your agent’s practices, and use multiple sources when house hunting. CicloKick encourages you to check listings often, compare sources, and make sure you’re seeing the full picture.
