Largest U.S. Brokerage Compass Sues Zillow Over 24-Hour Private Listing Ban, Seeks Temporary Injunction

Compass Inc., the largest U.S. residential real estate brokerage by sales volume, has filed an antitrust lawsuit against Zillow Group Inc., the nation's leading online real estate portal, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. The lawsuit alleges that Zillow's policy banning private home listings that are not posted on its platform within 24 hours constitutes anticompetitive behavior designed to protect Zillow's market dominance and revenues.

Compass claims this “Zillow ban” restricts competition by preventing certain privately marketed property listings from appearing on Zillow, effectively undermining rival brokerages. Zillow requires that any publicly marketed listings must appear on multiple listing services (MLS) within one business day or face removal from its site. Compass argues that this policy is a violation of federal antitrust laws and has sought a temporary injunction to block the enforcement of Zillow's ban, which took effect in late June 2025. Zillow has responded by stating that Compass faces no irreparable harm from the ban. The dispute is part of a broader conflict involving Compass, Zillow, the National Association of Realtors, and the Northwest Multiple Listing Service, with ongoing litigation and challenges over listing policies and market practices. The case highlights the intensifying competition and legal battles in the U.S. residential real estate market over control and transparency of home listings.