"What is IDX / VOW?"

IDX and VOW are solutions to the law of Broker Reciprocity that was mandated by the National Association of REALTORS® on January 1, 2002.  Broker Reciprocity is a broker-to-broker program whereby every MLS must allow its broker members to display the listings of other broker members on their web sites, with the exception of any other brokers that may have chosen not to participate in the program.  Currently, there are only 2 solutions for the Broker Reciprocity law: IDX (Internet Data Exchange) and VOW (Virtual Office Website).  The differences between each are subtle.  In keeping with the underlined concept of "Broker Reciprocity" (you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours), please read the following two definitions to understand the optional provisions that must be provided by an MLS:

• Opt-Out - With this system, all brokers within the MLS are automatically a participant, unless the broker proactively "Opts-Out" of the IDX or VOW program.  Most MLSs use this method.
  
  

• Opt-In - With this system, all brokers within the MLS are not automatically a participant, unless he/she proactively "Opts-In" to the IDX or VOW program.

Agent Participation:  Agents cannot participate in any MLSs Broker Reciprocity program if the agent's broker is not opted-in to that particular program.  As specified above, however, most MLSs have brokers already opted-in, so this is typically not an issue.  However, some MLSs have implemented rules that agents cannot participate in Broker Reciprocity programs at all, even though their broker is opted-in.  In many of these cases, though, the agent does have the ability to "link to" the Broker Reciprocity solution that is being displayed through his/her broker's website.

Display of Listing Information:  Listings under the IDX program are generally filtered to display only basic information that is suitable for public viewing, as determined by the MLS, whereas listings in the MLS displays additional confidential information, that is NOT deemed suitable for public viewing.

"What is the difference between IDX and VOW?"

IDX:  Allows brokers to opt-out entirely, called a "Blanket Opt-Out".  This prevents all offices from displaying the listings from the office of the broker who opted-out, and likewise denies the broker/agents of the office that's opted-out from displaying other offices' listings.

VOW:  Provides a broker with the same option as IDX for "Blanket Opt-Out", but also provides a secondary option to do a "Selective Opt-Out".  With Selective Opt-Out, if Broker "A" only wants to exclude Broker "B" (say, the competing office from across the street), Broker "A" has that ability.  VOW is by far the less commonly accepted of the two Broker Reciprocity solutions.

"How do I get IDX added to my website?"

Every real estate board and/or association has different requirements for setting up IDX on a website, and different methods for how they make it available to their brokers/agents.  Often times, it is required that an agreement (contract) is signed to obtain IDX.  For detailed information on how to get IDX added to your website, please contact our Customer Support.