Internet Data Exchange (IDX) is one of the most powerful tools in a real estate agent’s digital toolkit. By integrating MLS listings into your website, you can generate leads, provide up-to-date home searches, and increase visibility for your services. But with great power comes responsibility.
IDX feeds are regulated by strict rules set by your local MLS and, in many cases, the National Association of Realtors (NAR). Failure to comply with these rules can result in serious penalties, including fines, revocation of MLS access, or even legal consequences.
This article explores essential IDX compliance tips that will help you protect your business, maintain trust with your audience, and keep the profits flowing from your real estate website.
What is IDX Compliance?
IDX compliance refers to following the rules and guidelines set by your MLS provider regarding how listing data can be displayed, shared, and promoted on your website or marketing platforms.
These rules exist to ensure fairness among agents, protect the integrity of listing information, and safeguard the interests of both buyers and sellers.
While each MLS may have its detailed policy, most IDX compliance rules address:
- Proper credit and attribution to listing brokers
- Accuracy and freshness of data
- Restrictions on how listings can be promoted
- Security and access control for user data
- Branding guidelines and disclaimers
Being compliant isn’t just about avoiding fines—it’s about building a business based on trust, accuracy, and professionalism.
Why Compliance Matters for Your Profits
Many agents view compliance as a technical requirement, but it directly affects your bottom line. Here’s how:
1. Keeps Your MLS Access Active
If you violate IDX rules, your MLS may suspend or terminate your data feed. Without listings, your site loses its core functionality, traffic, and lead generation power.
2. Avoids Legal Trouble
Displaying listing data incorrectly can lead to copyright or intellectual property issues, especially if you’re using third-party content or media without proper licensing.
3. Protects Your Reputation
Your website represents your brand. Any non-compliant behavior—such as outdated listings, misleading photos, or incorrect prices—can damage your credibility and cause visitors to leave.
4. Builds Consumer Trust
A compliant IDX site is clean, accurate, and transparent. Users are more likely to engage with—and return to—a website that they can trust.
5. Helps with SEO and Lead Generation
Search engines favor accurate and properly structured data. By following IDX rules, you avoid duplicate content issues and ensure your site remains optimized for visibility.
Common IDX Compliance Mistakes to Avoid
Before diving into the best practices, let’s highlight a few common IDX compliance errors that many agents unknowingly make:
- Failing to display the listing brokerage or copyright notice
- Showing listings that are no longer active (sold or expired)
- Modifying MLS data without permission
- Not including required disclaimers
- Allowing public access to MLS-only fields (like showing instructions)
- Using IDX feeds on unapproved websites or apps
- Mixing IDX data with non-MLS properties without clear separation
Even a minor mistake can trigger a violation report, so it’s important to be proactive.
10 IDX Compliance Tips to Keep Your Profits Safe
1. Work with an Approved IDX Vendor
The safest way to stay compliant is by using an IDX provider that’s approved by your MLS. Established platforms like IDX Broker, Showcase IDX, iHomefinder, and Realtyna are familiar with MLS rules and have built-in safeguards.
Make sure your vendor has:
- MLS-specific compliance settings
- Regular data updates (ideally every 15 minutes)
- Built-in attribution and disclaimer options
2. Display Broker Attribution Properly
Every listing on your site must credit the listing brokerage. This typically includes the brokerage name and sometimes the listing agent.
Example format: “Listing courtesy of ABC Realty”
In some markets, you may also be required to include the agent’s name and license number.
3. Include Required Disclaimers
Most MLSs require a disclaimer at the bottom of listing pages. These statements clarify that information is subject to change and should not be considered guaranteed.
Example: “Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Buyer to verify all information.”
Check with your MLS for exact wording, and ensure it’s visible.
4. Avoid Altering MLS Data
It’s tempting to tweak listing descriptions, reorder photos, or emphasize certain features—but modifying the content provided via IDX is often against MLS rules.
Don’t:
- Change property descriptions
- Remove or reorder photos
- Add promotional language like “best deal in town!”
Do:
- Use custom content around IDX listings (such as blog intros)
- Create filtered search pages (e.g., “homes with pools”)
- Write area guides linking to IDX listings
Just keep the listing data itself untouched.
5. Keep Listing Data Fresh
IDX feeds are meant to display active listings. Stale or outdated data can lead to complaints from both buyers and other agents.
Make sure your IDX plugin is set to update frequently—at least several times a day. Also, purge sold or expired listings unless your MLS allows the display of sold data with permission.
6. Secure User Data
Most IDX websites allow users to register, save searches, and request showings. This means you’re collecting personal information—names, phone numbers, emails—which comes with legal obligations.
Follow basic security practices:
- Use SSL encryption (HTTPS)
- Store leads in a secure CRM
- Follow privacy laws like GDPR or CCPA if applicable
Transparency with your privacy policy builds trust and keeps you compliant.
7. Use the IDX Feed Only Where Allowed
Some agents attempt to display IDX listings across multiple sites, blogs, or platforms. Most MLSs restrict IDX usage to approved websites only.
You must submit your domain to the MLS when applying for IDX. Using IDX data on unapproved domains or embedding it into mobile apps without permission can result in violations.
8. Separate IDX from Non-MLS Listings
If you showcase FSBOs (for sale-by-owner), exclusive listings, or pocket listings, they must be clearly distinguished from MLS-sourced listings.
You can’t mix non-MLS properties with IDX listings unless they are labeled appropriately and don’t confuse the consumer.
A simple solution: create a separate page for off-market properties and explain their source.
9. Stay Updated with MLS Rules
MLS rules evolve—especially as new technologies and marketing strategies emerge. Some updates are minor, while others may significantly impact what’s allowed on your website.
To stay informed:
- Join your MLS’s email list
- Attend compliance webinars
- Ask your IDX vendor for periodic audits or updates
Being proactive can help you avoid surprise violations.
10. Audit Your Site Regularly
Don’t assume your website is compliant just because everything appears to be working. Take time every quarter to:
- Review listing pages
- Test registration and lead forms
- Check disclaimers and attribution
- Look for outdated or broken links
- Confirm listing update frequency
Better yet, ask your IDX provider for a compliance check if they offer one.
Bonus: What to Do if You Get a Violation Notice
Even with the best intentions, mistakes happen. If you receive a violation notice from your MLS:
- Don’t ignore it. Most MLSs offer a grace period to fix the issue before penalties apply.
- Review the notice carefully. Identify the exact nature of the violation and the page(s) involved.
- Contact your IDX provider. In many cases, the issue can be fixed in minutes with their help.
- Fix the violation quickly. Document your response in case further questions arise.
- Ask for feedback. If the rules weren’t clear, request clarification so you can avoid future issues.
Timely and professional responses protect your business and show your MLS that you take compliance seriously.
Final Thoughts
IDX can be a powerful asset for growing your real estate business—but it also comes with responsibility. By understanding and following IDX compliance guidelines, you protect your profits, your MLS access, and your professional reputation.
Don’t look at compliance as a burden. Instead, treat it as a framework that keeps your business running smoothly and builds trust with every client who visits your site.
