How do I feed in Diverse Solutions RSS feeds into my webpages?

[David Lorti]

Is anyone pumping in DiverseSolutions RSS feeds into their webpages (in order to show listings) and if so, how are you doing it?

[Aaron]

Hi David,

Listings in RSS format eh? That sounds like a very nice way to get listings scraped - I'm quite surprised they do that - as it would likely be in violation of MLS boards rules.

Anyway ... This seems like more of a question for either outside of the Customer support forum - or a work order ...

Do you have an example of this RSS feed of listings?

[David Lorti]

http://idx.diversesolutions.com/Feed/RSS/469809

I can create these feeds for any search I set up through DS. I want to have a feed on my webpage and am wondering if there is an easy-to-use RSS feeder for doing this?

[webmaster]

Actually David this IS a violation of NAR's MLS policy and we would not allow it even if it was posted in the work orders forum as it could do potential harm to our relationship (and broker vendor status) with ARMLS -

[OCTeam]

Interesting how we are seeing more IDX providers violate MLS rules for data feeds. The new Vision-Market Leader IDX results violates our MLS policy as well. I am sure our local MLS will take some action to get them in compliance.

By using REW, you won't have to worry about compliance and you'll get better search results by using a custom IDX.

All you need is someone to report the violation and you lose whatever benefit you think you have.

[David Lorti]

I just wanted to make sure I understand here and it's clear as to my intended usage.

Diverse Solutions provides the RSS feeds from the searches that I create through their tool as a paying customer. So, for instance, if I create a search for a particular neighborhood, I can RSS that feed into a web page so that someone who clicks on it can see the houses there. Of course, they could search on the DS tool as well that I pay for. This is just representing the information differently in a more ready-made results-oriented format than if they went into my DS IDX tool and searched on the neighborhood.

So, I don't see my 'scraping' the information - perhaps someone else could take the RSS feed URL but then it would pull my identifier information in the feed and wouldn't serve that person very well.

So, is there an issue with just the idea of RSS feeds of listing info in general or was my intent here misunderstood? Just want to be clear. Thanks for your help here.

[webmaster]

a vendor creating an RSS feed of listings (basically inviting or promoting syndication of any kind) is an absolute NAR violation - when you apply for an IDX solution DS or otherwise you are ONLY permitted to display other brokers listings data on the solution (and URL) approved by your board - you were NOT approved to display listings data (outside of a DS iframe) on an REW site or any other, so for you to use the RSS feed to pull it you are in violation.

[webmaster]

The bigger violation is DS in the first place however as RSS feeds open the data up to non members for very easy scraping and it is their obligation as a vendor to protect such data.

[David Lorti]

Okay, understand. Thanks for the clarification.

[brokerexecutives]

What about Susan Roberts Website? I called Diverse Solutions and they said, she's integrated an RSS Feed to Post on her blog. Which explains how she's entering in 60-120 blog post a day on MLS feed data. It's brilliant! Imagine, being away from your PC while your website is pumping out blog post after blog post after POST!

I've watched her website on Alexa and found she's come down from 6M traffic ranking to just under 2M in a matter of months.

When I called AAR, and spoke with Kim she said what she's doing is perfectly "ethical" because the content is "public data". I also spoke with ARMLS and ARMLS checked her site out and said the following:

Brian Wharton
to daniel

show details Oct 27


I’ve reviewed the site below for IDX violations and didn’t find any. I’ve also attached the IDX Policy for you, in case you have any questions on specific display violations.


Thanks for your inquiry


Re:The following website is in violation of ARMLS IDX Rules:


http://www.scottsdalerealestater.com

It's a guess, but it's either a wordpress plugin doing the automated feed or this website: http://www.blogoverdrive.com/