Zillow Will Stop Showing Some Home Listings Starting in May

Zillow has just rolled out new rules that will change the way listings are handled in the real estate market. Whether you’re a home seller or a buyer, these changes are important to understand. Since Zillow is the largest residential listing platform in the country, its policies can shape how homes are marketed and discovered nationwide. Here's a breakdown of what’s happening, what sellers need to watch out for, how buyers can benefit, and whether or not this marks the end of off-market listings.

What’s Changing?

Up until now, real estate agents sometimes kept listings off the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) for a short period.

Instead, they would market the home privately through their website, social media, or email list to see if they could get a sale before showing it to the wider public. If the property didn’t sell quickly, it would then be added to the MLS and appear on Zillow, Trulia, and other platforms.

But Zillow is now enforcing new listing access standards that change this process. Here’s the key update:

👉 If a home is marketed to the public in any way (social media, signs, websites, etc.), it must be added to the MLS within 1 day. Otherwise, it won’t appear on Zillow or Trulia.

source: https://www.zillow.com/premier-agent/listing-access-standards/

What This Means for Home Sellers?

If you're selling your home, this change is something you need to be aware of. Here's why:

Maximum Exposure = Maximum Opportunity

By requiring agents to list your home on the MLS right away, Zillow is making sure that your home gets the maximum exposure possible. Your listing will be shown to thousands of potential buyers who browse Zillow regularly, and it will be available to all agents and buyers searching on the platform.

No More Delayed Marketing

Some agents used to delay putting listings on the MLS, hoping to make a quick sale to a private buyer first. Now, with the new rules, you no longer have that option. If your agent markets your home publicly — even on their personal website or through social media — it must go on the MLS. If they don’t follow this rule, your home won’t appear on Zillow at all.

The Risk of Missing Out on Exposure

If an agent doesn’t follow the new Zillow guidelines, your listing might be hidden from a huge number of potential buyers, which can hurt your chances of getting top dollar for your property. You want your home to be seen by everyone — and following these rules will ensure you get the exposure you deserve.

What This Means for Home Buyers:

Buyers stand to benefit from these changes as well. Here’s how:

More Transparency in the Market

Before the rule change, some homes were kept “exclusive” and not made available to everyone. Now, buyers can trust that if a home is being marketed publicly, it will be available to every buyer. No more wondering if a listing is being hidden behind closed doors or only shared with certain buyers.

Better Selection and More Opportunities

With more homes listed properly, buyers will have access to a wider selection of homes. This means they can see all the available options in their search area and don’t have to worry about missing out on a hidden gem.

Fair Access to Listings

The new rule ensures that buyers won’t be left out of the process due to agents’ selective marketing. Buyers can now rest easy knowing that they won’t have to jump through hoops just to see every available home.

Is This the End of Off-Market Listings?

Not exactly. While these new rules are designed to make listings more accessible and transparent, they don’t completely eliminate off-market or private listings in Philadelphia. There are still exceptions for situations where the seller prefers privacy (e.g., for safety or personal reasons).

However, these exceptions will be rare. If a seller wants to keep their listing completely private and off the internet, they can — but the listing won’t appear on major platforms like Zillow. It’s up to the seller to decide what’s best for them.

In most cases, though, this rule will likely mean that fewer homes are kept off the market without public exposure. For the most part, if a home is being marketed to the public, it should be listed everywhere.

What Sellers Should Watch Out For:

To make sure you’re not missing out on the opportunity for maximum exposure, here are a few things to watch out for:

Don’t Skip the MLS Step
Make sure your agent lists your home in the MLS immediately once they begin marketing it. This ensures your listing is shared widely on Zillow, Trulia, and other platforms. It’s essential for getting the exposure and offers you want.
Don’t Agree to Delayed Marketing
Some agents may still suggest holding off on MLS listing for a day or two to see if they can sell it privately. With Zillow’s new rules, this could hurt you. Make sure your agent understands that getting your listing on the MLS quickly is key.
Check Your Agent’s Strategy
Ask your agent how they plan to market your home. Ensure that they are ready to follow the rules so that your listing gets the widest possible audience.

Final Thoughts:

So—fairness or control? At the end of the day, what matters most is what’s best for the home seller or buyer.

Pocketing listings before giving them full exposure mostly benefited certain brokerages—not the broader market. And many home sellers didn’t even realize they were missing out on exposure by signing too early.

Zillow is currently the biggest residential listing platform, and this new rule gives buyers more access to homes and helps sellers get the exposure they need to maximize their sale. Yes, the new policy limits some “exclusive” or off-market strategies—but it also creates a more transparent and open market for everyone.

Sellers: Make sure your agent understands these new rules so you get the best possible results.
Buyers: Get ready for a market where more homes are within your reach.

And for those who still prefer to sell quietly, off-market listings aren’t going anywhere—there are still options for discretion.

Thinking of selling your home but unsure if now is the right time?
Use this free tool to get a personalized report on your home’s estimated value, calculate your equity, see how many buyers are looking for homes like yours, and track current trends in your zip code.

Check Home Value