Compass alleges Zillow is violating antitrust laws in real estate market

In the real estate sector, tensions escalated in June 2025 when Compass, a leading real estate company, filed a lawsuit against Zillow, one of the industry giants. This lawsuit was triggered by Zillow's implementation of new listing access standards that compel real estate agents to place their listings on a Multiple Listing Service (MLS) within one day and ensure they appear on Zillow and other sites. The primary focus of the lawsuit is Zillow's alleged role as a 'gatekeeper' of home listings, acting in a manner that could threaten competition and limit consumer access to available properties. As the housing market evolves with the increasing influence of the internet, the behavior of consumers in this space has significantly changed over the years. According to Ashton Alexander, the senior vice president of strategy and business operations for Compass, this shift offers a substantial opportunity for real estate portals like Zillow, which has used technological advancements to transform the way buyers and sellers engage with the housing market. However, while these changes have the potential to support transparency for consumers, they have also led to concerns about the accessibility and visibility of listings. Real estate agents are particularly concerned about the implications of the litigation between these two titans, recognizing that the outcome could significantly impact the lead generation landscape. Zillow relies on comprehensive listings to attract potential homebuyers to its platform. Without access to a full range of listings, agents may be reluctant to invest in leads from Zillow, potentially undermining the platform's business model. The momentum of listings hitting the market in recent months has seen agents express a desire to shift focus from disputes to aiding buyers in navigating current conditions in an increasingly dynamic marketplace. In sum, the lawsuit highlights the complex relationship between real estate technology and market practices, as Compass and Zillow clash over issues that could redefine how listings are shared and consumed in the real estate market. This legal battle underscores the importance of consumer transparency and the need for regulatory scrutiny in an industry that is quickly adapting to technological advancements while grappling with concerns about competition and accessibility.