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How Tempo Keeps Your IDX Website Compliant

If you display MLS® listings on your website using an IDX feed, we automatically handle the complex compliance standards set by regional real estate boards and regulatory bodies.

This guide explains how Tempo ensures your site is compliant and highlights what you should be aware of for off-site activities. We cover the requirements for:

US​

  • California Regional MLS (CRMLS)

Canada​

  • Greater Vancouver (GVR, FVRB)
  • Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA)
  • BC Financial Services Authority (BCFSA)

What Tempo Does Automatically​

Tempo is built to ensure your website meets all IDX display rules out of the box. Here's a high-level look at what we handle for you:

  • Your Brokerage: Tempo clearly displays your brokerage name on all pages in the website footer when you enter your brokerage name in the Tempo dashboard.
  • Clear Attribution: We automatically show the source of each listing, including the listing agent and brokerage, so you never brand other agents' listings as your own.
  • Accurate Data: Listing information is presented without alteration, just as it comes from the IDX feed.

Your Responsibilities​

While Tempo automates on-site compliance, you are still responsible for how you use listing data in other contexts. Please remember:

  • Clearly Identify Yourself and Your Brokerage: Make sure you add your legal name, your brokerage, and any required designation (ie PREC) to the Tempo dashboard.
  • No Off-Site Advertising: Never use MLS® listing data in ads, emails, or social media posts without getting separate permission from the listing agent or your board. This is a critical rule.
  • No Data Scraping: You are not permitted to scrape, copy, or redistribute listing data from your website for any purpose.
  • Keep Your Content Truthful: Ensure any content you add to your site remains truthful and not misleading.

California Regional MLS (CRMLS)​

For our clients who are CRMLS participants, Tempo ensures compliance by:

  • Including the listing agent/broker and office for every listing.

  • Adding the official CRMLS IDX disclaimer automatically:

    Based on information from California Regional Multiple Listing Service, Inc. as of [date]. This information is for your personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties you may be interested in purchasing.

  • Our platform is built to prevent scraping and redistribution of listing data, in line with CRMLS rules.

  • Our platform ensures viewing request CTAs and forms include the name of the listing agent.

More info: CRMLS Compliance Center

Greater Vancouver (GVR, FVRB)​

For our clients with a GVR IDX feed, Tempo ensures compliance by:

  • Including the listing brokerage name on every listing.

  • Displaying the required GVR IDX disclaimer automatically on relevant pages:

    This representation is based in whole or in part on data generated by the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board or Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver which assumes no responsibility for its accuracy.

  • Never altering or obscuring listing information or attribution.

Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA)​

For our clients with a CREA DDF feed, Tempo adheres to CREA's national rules for using REALTOR.ca data and MLS® trademarks. Here's how we handle it:

  • Using CREA's approved trademarks (like MLS® and REALTOR®) correctly throughout your site.
  • Clearly attributing all listings from national feeds to their source.
  • Following CREA's Data Distribution Facility (DDF®) rules for data handling.
  • Displaying all required disclaimers from your board and CREA.

Useful reference: CREA DDF® Policies

British Columbia Financial Services Authority (BCFSA)​

Tempo helps you meet BCFSA's advertising rules for real estate services in BC. Here's how we align with the Real Estate Services Rules:

  • Your IDX agreement (like with GVR) gives you permission to display listings, and Tempo ensures this is done correctly.
  • We ensure all listing information displayed on your website is truthful and not misleading.
  • We clearly identify your brokerage on your site at all times, provided you enter your brokerage name in the Tempo dashboard.
  • We always present other agents' listings with correct attribution.

Reference: BCFSA Advertising Guidelines

Compliance Features at a Glance​

FeatureGVRCREACRMLSBCFSA
Display Listing Brokerage✅✅✅✅
Automatic IDX Disclaimer✅✅✅N/A
Prominent Brokerage Display✅✅✅✅
Accurate & Attributed Listings✅✅✅✅

With Tempo, you can be confident that your website's IDX display is compliant. If you have any questions, reach out to our support team.