Compass CEO Battles Zillow's 'Monopolistic' Listing Ban

A significant legal battle is underway in a Manhattan courtroom as Compass, a leading real estate brokerage, challenges Zillow's restrictive listing policy. Compass CEO Robert Reffkin testified, asserting that Zillow's "ban"—which penalizes brokers for selectively pre-marketing listings on other sites—makes agents feel "bullied" and "intimidated."

Reffkin advocated for consumer choice in marketing, stating that platforms should not dictate how homes are advertised. He shared personal concerns, noting his own mother, a Compass broker, fears being removed from Zillow if she adheres to Compass's marketing strategies, as her listings could be banned.

Zillow's defense countered these claims, presenting internal emails where Reffkin appeared to downplay Zillow's importance. Reffkin's testimony also highlighted that Zillow transactions represent a small percentage of overall home sales, suggesting the platform is not as indispensable as it claims, while other sites have boosted Compass listings.