IDX stands for Internet Data Exchange. This refers to the data exchange between an MLS board’s database and a 3rd party website and is viewed as a form of advertising. The listings that are displayed here are only those allowed by other participants, but almost always includes the vast majority of the MLS database.

What is RETS? 

RETS stands for Real Estate Transaction Standard. RETS is an industry standard protocol or framework that allows real estate companies, brokers, or 3rd parties to receive data from the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) servers, and other real estate systems provided they also have software installed designed to communicate using the RETS framework. The National Association of REALTORS® refers to RETS as a "common language".

IDX vs Advertising

There has often been confusion over what constitutes IDX versus what is considered advertising. IDX and advertising are independent of each other. For a breakdown of when the IDX Rules apply vs when Advertising Rules please see the table below; 

Advertise Rules Apply                         Examples                           IDX Rules Apply                               Examples

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Print Advertisements                         Magazines, Flyers             Listing searches via IDX feed               Coldwellbanker.com

                                                                                                                 on participant website

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Manually entered listings on          Zillow, Craigslist, Trulia     Listing searches utilizing a                      Realtor.com

a website not operated                                                                    data feed on a 3rd party site

by a participant

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Manually entered                                Facebook, Twitter,          Manually entered listings on a              Featured properties on        Social Media Posts                                     Pinterest                    website operated by a participant              ziprealty.com                                                                                                                            

Blog Posts                                                 Active Rain                 Social Media posts that link                    Facebook post linked to                                                                                                                    back to IDX participant website                          remax.com

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When a broker receives the IDX data feed they enter into a contract with BCAR which requires them to adhere to the IDX Rules and Regulations. IDX Rules are outlined in BCAR's MLS Rules and Regulations Section 18. 

Advertising is a form of marketing communication used to promote or sell something, usually a business's product or service. In real estate, advertisements are often in the form of postcards, flyers, email marketing, or third party websites like Craigslist and Facebook. It is important to remember a listing shall not be advertised by any Participant other than the listing Participant without the prior consent of the listing Participant. The following requirements are at a minimum required for advertising per NAR Ethics,  AREC License Law,  and BCAR MLS Rules and Regulations: 

No false manipulation of the listing data, the ad must present a true picture and not otherwise mislead consumers

The advertising agent cannot portray the listing as their own or belonging to their office

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The ad must include the statement “courtesy of” or similiar with reference to the listing firm in a font that is the same size and color as the rest of the content

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