IDX on a real estate agent website: what it does and doesn't

2 min read · Updated

The short answer

IDX lets a real estate agent website show MLS listings, so visitors can search homes without leaving your site. It keeps buyers around and captures leads. What it doesn't do is make your site rank on its own, because the same listing data appears on thousands of sites. Your neighborhood pages and local knowledge do that.

What IDX gives you

  • Searchable listings on your own domain.
  • Saved searches and alerts that capture buyer leads.
  • Listings kept current from the MLS feed.

What it doesn't

Listing pages from IDX are shared data, often loaded in a way search engines don't credit to your site. They rarely rank. What ranks is content only you have: neighborhood guides, market notes, sold stories.

Rules to follow

  • Your MLS's IDX rules on display and attribution.
  • Your brokerage name and license details where your state requires them.
  • Fair-housing language in anything you write around the listings.

Questions

Do I need IDX on my site?

It helps buyers stay on your site. Sellers care more about your track record and local knowledge.

Is IDX the same as a Zillow feed?

No. IDX comes from your MLS under its rules.

Can IDX pages hurt SEO?

Not usually. They just don't help much on their own.

Keep reading

Local SEO ServicesAll of Lehvel Learn

Want to discuss Search Presence?

Book a time with Lehvel and we’ll go through what your business actually needs.

Reserve a time

Other Lehvel services