IDX vs DDF: What Should Canadian Real Estate Agents Use to Display Listings Online (and Why)
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Recently, I’ve been working on a new website project with an agent in a Canadian real estate board that doesn’t participate in IDX. To make sure her listings display beautifully, we’re implementing a DDF feed into her Showit website using the MyRealPage plugin. Luckily, MyRealPage works with both IDX and DDF, so we found the perfect solution. This project sent me down a bit of a rabbit hole, digging into IDX vs DDF and how they impact Canadian agents.
In this post, we’ll break it all down so you know exactly where you stand:
What IDX vs DDF mean (and why they matter)
The key differences between the two
Pros and cons for Canadian agents
How to check if your board supports IDX
How the MyRealPage plugin integrates seamlessly with Showit websites
What Do IDX and DDF Mean?
Both IDX and DDF are data feeds, or the technology that allows your website and your real estate board to communicate so listings stay up-to-date.
IDX (Internet Data Exchange):
According to the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA), “An IDX makes it possible for brokerages, through reciprocal agreements, to display each other’s listings.” Participation is typically limited to members of the same board, and listings are shared among brokerages that have opted in. This means agents can display local, active listings directly on their websites without requiring visitors to register.
DDF® (Data Distribution Facility):
CREA defines DDF® as “a permission-based system that enables broker owners and salespeople to push their listings to several third-party websites. DDF® also enables sharing of listings in a national pool with other broker owners and salespeople.” Unlike IDX, which is board-specific, DDF offers broader, sometimes national exposure.
IDX vs DDF: A Quick Comparison
Feature
IDX
DDF
Scope
Listings from your board only
National pool of listings
Participation
Only brokerages opted into reciprocity
Brokerages and boards opt-in
Access
Public
Public
Updates
Multiple times per day
Synced with MLS® & REALTOR.ca updates
Best For
Local relevance
Broader reach
Pros and Cons for Canadian Agents
IDX Pros:
Local listings are highly relevant to your audience.
Updated frequently for accuracy.
Great for agents focused on a specific geographic area.
IDX Cons:
Only works if your real estate board participates.
Limited to brokerages that have opted in.
DDF Pros:
Broader exposure with listings from across Canada.
Automatic syncing with REALTOR.ca.
Flexible distribution, including to third-party platforms.
DDF Cons:
May display listings outside your market unless filtered.
Broker participation varies.
As MyRealPage notes in their guide to IDX and DDF, “If your board is participating in IDX reciprocity, you don’t need DDF. If not, DDF is your option.”
How to Check If Your Board Supports IDX
The easiest way is to head directly to MyRealPage’s IDX board availability list. There, you can confirm whether your board has opted in and what type of data feed you can use.
MyRealPage + Showit: The Perfect Pairing
Here’s the good news: whether IDX or DDF is available in your area, you don’t have to sacrifice design for functionality. Using the MyRealPage plugin, I integrate these feeds seamlessly into Showit websites and templates. That means:
Live listings on your site, styled to match your brand.
Search functionality that feels intuitive and polished.
A site that works hard for you while staying beautiful and strategic.
Your clients won’t know (or care) whether you’re using IDX vs DDF, they’ll just see a professional website that makes searching easy and memorable.
FAQs About IDX vs DDF in Canada
What is the difference between IDX and DDF?
IDX shares listings within a local real estate board, while DDF distributes listings nationally across CREA’s participating boards and partners.
Which is better for Canadian real estate websites?
Neither is “better” overall, it depends on your board’s participation. IDX is ideal for local-focused agents, while DDF is the solution if your board doesn’t support IDX.
Does MyRealPage work with Showit?
Yes. The MyRealPage plugin integrates beautifully with Showit websites and templates, giving you the flexibility of MLS functionality without compromising on design.
Do I need IDX or is DDF enough for my site?
It depends on availability. If your board supports IDX, that may be the simplest option. If not, DDF ensures you can still display listings.
Key Takeaways
IDX and DDF are both data feeds that allow Canadian agents to display MLS® listings directly on their websites.
IDX is board-specific and ideal for local relevance, while DDF provides broader reach through CREA’s national pool.
MyRealPage integrates both IDX and DDF into websites, and with Showit you get the best of both worlds: powerful functionality and striking design.
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Behind the blog
I’m Vanessa. The Founder & Creative Director of Vanessa Bucceri Creative.
We work with ambitious service professionals who are ready to uplevel their brand identity so they can flourish in their businesses. We show style-minded business owners just like you how to connect with your audience through artful branding & web design - all while truly listening to your vision and intuitively bringing it to life.
