Zillow Begins Rolling Back its Two-Tab Search Experience

Zillow has begun rolling out a major update to its search experience, moving away from a rule it once implemented across the board.

Four years after complying with the National Association of Realtors’ (NAR) controversial no-commingling rule, Zillow is phasing out its two-tabbed display in favour of showing all listings—MLS and non-MLS alike—in a single default search view in markets where local MLSs have dropped the restriction.

The update, which began in December 2024, means users will now see for-sale-by-owner (FSBO) listings, non-MLS auctions, and buildable floor plans alongside traditional MLS-sourced properties in cities where rules allow.

“Consumers want and expect a single-search experience, where all available homes for sale can be viewed seamlessly,” said Matt Hendricks, vice president of industry affairs at Zillow. “We applaud the many MLSs that have revoked the no-commingling restriction.”

NAR’s rule—which has been optional since its inception in the 1990s—came under increasing scrutiny in recent years, including from the U.S. Department of Justice.

The rule also became central to the now-defunct discount brokerage REX’s lawsuit against Zillow. The company argued that the rule pushed its listings into a rarely discovered “Other Listings” tab, costing it traffic, visibility and ultimately, its chances of survival. REX ultimately lost in court, but the case intensified industry debate around the rule’s fairness.

Zillow’s decision to adopt the no-commingling policy in 2021 was necessary to gain access to IDX feeds after it joined hundreds of MLSs. Internally, however, the company opposed the restriction, pushing for its removal through direct appeals, op-eds, and marketing.

“We’re excited that a growing number of MLSs are adopting policies that allow for commingled display,” Zillow said in a statement. “The majority of major metro areas are now seeing the single search experience.”

Zillow says it is continuing to expand its unified search rollout across more markets.