How do I get the MLS search feature on my website? 

What is IDX (Internet Data Exchange)? 

What is MLS Grid?

Am I permitted to display other brokers' listings on my website?

 IDX Display (Option 1): Frameable IDX Search Tool in Matrix™

Option one outlines the instructions for creating an IDX link that can be embedded into your website at no cost to the agent.  Canopy MLS provides a frameable IDX search tool in Matrix™.

Canopy MLS Member Participants and Subscribers can use it, and there are a few basic rules to follow.  Log into Matrix™, click on the dropdown arrow adjacent to your name on the top right.  Select settings and then select IDX Configuration. For further information, read Matrix IDX Configuration.

IDX Display (Option 2): Data Feed via Web API to IDX Vendor

Option two outlines the process of collaborating with a data technology vendor to develop a website feature that retrieves the data from MLS Grid using a Web API; associated fees will apply.  

Canopy MLS offers an IDX data feed via Web API so that Member Participants and Subscribers can create and maintain their own IDX websites.

Getting started
To license and obtain access to the data feeds, your data technology vendor must first start the process by signing the MLS Grid Master Data License Agreement on MLS Grid at www.mlsgrid.com/resources.  Next, the Member Participant and Subscriber, if applicable, will sign the agreement digitally.  An email will be sent from [email protected].  Lastly, the Canopy MLS data licensing administrator will review the website for appropriate display of firm brokerage branding and approve the data license or request changes.  Click here for a list of vendors already using MLS Grid.

What is MLS Grid?

Canopy MLS is a founding member of MLS Grid, and one of thirty-two MLSs using MLS Grid to license and provide access to MLS data feeds for Member Participants, Subscribers and their designated data technology vendors.  The benefits of MLS Grid are:

• One set of rules and display guidelines
• One standard license agreement
• MLS Grid is RESO compliant from the Web API to the Data Dictionary

What is IDX (Internet Data Exchange)? 

Consumers in the Carolinas can access timely, accurate and trustworthy property information listed by multiple real estate agents from a single agent website thanks to Internet Data Exchange.

Canopy MLS offers Participants and Subscribers the ability to display MLS active listing information on the Internet through the Internet Data Exchange Program. Through IDX, Participants permit other Participants and Subscribers to advertise their active listings on one another's websites. Participants may include their listings in the IDX database without having their own websites. If a Participant chooses not to participate, his or her firm's listings cannot be displayed on any other member's website.

Brokers who participate in IDX can offer consumers the most comprehensive selection of active real estate listing information, and their listings are exposed on the websites of other brokers. Broker websites can effectively compete with national aggregators as comprehensive sources of online listing information.

Am I permitted to display other brokers' listings on my website?

Canopy MLS allows members to post minimal displays of other brokers’ listings on social media as long as there is a direct link to an IDX-compliant display.  The IDX rules state that displays of minimum information (e.g., “thumbnails,” text messages, “tweets,” etc., of 200 characters or less) are exempt from complying with IDX display rules, but only when linked directly to a display that does comply with IDX display rules. To be safe, always include your firm’s name on the social media page where the post appears as well.  Follow the rules when posting other brokers’ listings on social media.

Links containing additional information:

List of IDX Vendors
Canopy MLS Rules and Regulations Appendix A and B
Use of "Special Conditions" Field on IDX Websites

Who is MLS Grid

MLS Grid FAQs

Other vendors on MLS Grid

Questions or concerns, please send email to [email protected]