So many Americans are unabashedly obsessed with scrolling through online home listings. Looking at houses during the pandemic became a hobby that many people incorporated into their daily routines.

Whether you’re looking to sell or buy a home, you will no doubt encounter the multiple listing service, or MLS. The site and service are, in many ways, the very lifeblood of the real estate business.

Starting earlier this month, any property listing that was publicly marketed to consumers but not listed on the local MLS within one business day no longer appears on Zillow. This step is in line with ...