Over the past several weeks, many real estate professionals have noticed something frustrating and confusing: Matterport 3D tours are no longer appearing on Zillow’s listing pages.
This isn’t a technical glitch. It’s the result of an ongoing dispute between Zillow and CoStar Group, the parent company of Matterport—and it’s creating unnecessary disruption across the real estate ecosystem.
What Zillow Is Saying
Zillow has communicated to media providers (including us) and to agents that it has paused Matterport 3D tours because of concerns over CoStar’s Terms of Service.
According to Zillow, CoStar’s current terms do not clearly allow Matterport tours to be displayed on third-party listing platforms like Zillow. Until that clarification is received directly from CoStar, Zillow says it cannot re-enable Matterport tours on its site.
Zillow has also told us that they are waiting for an official response from CoStar to resolve this issue.
What Matterport (CoStar) Is Saying
Matterport has been equally clear—but in the opposite direction.
Matterport has told us directly that:
Nothing has changed in their Terms of Service
Zillow is allowed to host and display Matterport tours
Matterport tours continue to be published across MLS systems and countless third-party real estate websites without issue
In other words, Matterport does not believe there is any restriction preventing Zillow from embedding or displaying their tours.
The Reality on the Ground
Here’s where this situation becomes especially frustrating:
Matterport tours are still live on MLS platforms
They are still shared on brokerage websites
They are still embedded on agent sites, property websites, and marketing platforms
Only Zillow has removed them
This makes it hard to see this as anything other than a disagreement between two massive, competing companies—one that is being played out at the expense of everyone else.
Who This Actually Hurts
This dispute doesn’t hurt Zillow or CoStar nearly as much as it hurts:
Realtors
Fewer tools to market listings effectively
Reduced listing engagement and differentiation
Confusion when clients ask why tours are “missing”
Buyers
Less transparency
Fewer immersive tools to evaluate homes remotely
Worse overall user experience
Sellers
Reduced exposure for one of the most valuable marketing assets
Less confidence that their listing is being showcased properly
Media Providers (like us)
Put in the middle of a dispute we have no control over
Forced to explain conflicting corporate messaging to our clients
Delivering high-end content that is artificially limited in reach
A Needless Fight With Real Consequences
At its core, this feels like a corporate power struggle between two industry giants—one that ignores the reality of how real estate marketing actually works.
3D tours are no longer a “nice-to-have.” They are:
A standard expectation
A proven engagement driver
A benefit to all parties involved
When platforms fight over technicalities or legal interpretations instead of prioritizing consumers, the entire industry loses.
Our Perspective at Front Door Media
We believe strongly in:
Open distribution of marketing assets
Giving agents and sellers control over how their listings are presented
Prioritizing the buyer experience
This situation is unnecessary, avoidable, and easily resolved with clear communication between the parties involved. Until then, the people paying the price are not corporations—it’s the professionals and consumers who rely on these tools every day.
We’ll continue to monitor the situation closely and advocate for solutions that put agents, buyers, sellers, and media providers first.
If you have questions about alternative ways to showcase your listings or want help navigating this issue, we’re always here to help.
