NAR's Clear Cooperation Policy Explained (and the 2025 Listing Options)
The Clear Cooperation Policy is the National Association of REALTORS® rule that requires a listing to go into the MLS soon after it is publicly marketed. It is the central rule in today's debate over private and "pocket" listings.
What the policy requires
NAR adopted the MLS Clear Cooperation Policy in November 2019. Under it, within one business day of marketing a property to the public, the listing broker must submit the listing to the MLS for cooperation with other MLS participants.[1]
What counts as "public marketing"?
NAR's guidance lists examples including yard signs, flyers, displays in a window, websites, IDX/VOW displays, digital communications such as email blasts, multi-brokerage listing-sharing networks and applications available to the public.[1][2] One-to-one communications between agents and their clients are not public marketing; sharing a listing across a multi-brokerage network is.[2]
Office exclusives
A listing that is shared only within a single brokerage, and is not publicly marketed, can be held as an office exclusive and is not subject to the one-business-day rule while it stays that way.[1][2]
2025: "Multiple Listing Options for Sellers"
On March 25, 2025, NAR added the Multiple Listing Options for Sellers policy, which REALTOR®-owned MLSs had to implement by September 30, 2025.[2] Key points, per NAR:
- Delayed marketing. MLSs may offer a "delayed marketing exempt listing": the listing is filed with the MLS and visible to participants, but its display on IDX and syndication sites can be delayed for a period that each MLS sets.[2]
- Seller disclosure. When a seller chooses an office exclusive or delayed marketing, the listing broker must disclose the potential risks and benefits of that choice to the seller.[2]
- Clear Cooperation remains. The one-business-day submission requirement for publicly marketed listings stays in place.[1][2]
MLSs adding new statuses
Individual MLSs have built their own versions. For example, Northwest MLS — which is not a REALTOR®-owned MLS — announced a "First Look" option beginning September 4, 2026, under which a listing may be publicly marketed for up to 21 days while it is submitted to NWMLS and accessible to its brokers.[3]
Why it matters now
Compass has challenged MLS cooperation and listing-submission rules in court and through demand letters, while several MLSs have asked courts to declare their rules lawful. Track it in our Compass–MLS lawsuit tracker and the Clear Cooperation & private listings story feed.
Sources
- MLS Clear Cooperation Policy — National Association of REALTORS®
- Multiple Listing Options for Sellers — National Association of REALTORS®
- Northwest MLS expands listing options (First Look) — Northwest MLS, Aug. 31, 2026
This guide is original MLS Daily News reporting based on the sources above. It is general information, not legal advice. Found an error? See our corrections policy.
