Is Zillow Safe?

If you use or plan to use Zillow, you need to know: Is Zillow safe? 

Below, we explain whether Zillow is: 

• Safe to use. 
• Good for privacy. 

We also look at some steps you can take to improve both your safety and privacy when using this online service. 

What Is Zillow?

Zillow is a popular online real estate marketplace that provides a range of services related to buying, selling, renting, and financing homes. 

Founded in 2006, Zillow allows users to search for homes, view property details, and compare prices across different neighborhoods and cities. One of its most notable features is the “Zestimate,” an algorithm-based estimate of a property’s market value, which offers users an idea of what a home might be worth.

In addition to property listings, Zillow offers tools for calculating mortgage payments, connecting with real estate agents, and finding local rental properties. The platform also provides insights into market trends, helping users make informed decisions about their real estate investments.

Is Zillow Safe?

Zillow is generally considered safe. 

However, while Zillow provides a wealth of information, not all of it is 100% accurate. For example, the “Zestimate” is an estimate, not an official appraisal, so it might not reflect the true market value of a property. 

Listings can also be outdated or incorrect if not regularly updated by sellers or agents.

As with any online marketplace, there is a risk of encountering fraudulent listings or scams, particularly in the rental market. Some scammers might post fake listings to collect deposits or personal information.

Zillow’s website does not specifically reference security measures in place (it only says it uses “multiple layers of security”), nor has its security been reviewed by reputable external sources. However, Zillow does have a vulnerability disclosure program. 

Is Zillow safe, according to Reddit?

Redditors have varying opinions about Zillow’s safety.

Some Reddit users say that Zillow is a publicly traded company and is, therefore, safe.

Many other Redditors say it’s convenient. 

However, a number of Reddit users warn that the platform is inaccurate and full of scams. Others believe it exists primarily to collect user data.

Is Zillow reliable for renting?

Zillow can be a good platform to find rental properties, but it largely depends on your luck. 

For example, some users have reported issues with the accuracy and timeliness of Zillow’s rental listings. No longer available properties may still be listed as active, which can be frustrating for potential renters.

Zillow has also occasionally hosted scam listings, especially in the rental market. Scammers may post fake rental listings to lure potential renters into sending money or personal information. 

Of course, Zillow takes steps to remove fraudulent listings, but some inevitably still slip through.

Is paying rent through Zillow safe?

Depends on who you ask.

While it’s generally safe to pay rent through Zillow from a technological perspective, internet users have had mixed experiences (mainly from a landlord’s perspective).

Some say it’s great, and they haven’t had any issues. 

Others write of terrible experiences that involve their payments being held for too long and poor customer experience.

Is Zillow Private?

Depends on your definition of “private.”

Zillow says, “We’re committed to being transparent about how we use your data to help get you into a home you’ll love. Our goal is to give you the tools you need to be in control of your privacy.”

Zillow’s privacy portal gives examples of the kind of information the service collects, for what purposes, and with whom it shares it. 

For example, it says it might share your personal information with real estate experts (if you ask Zillow to connect you with one), service providers (like Experian if you need to complete a credit check), and ad partners (such as Google and Instagram). 

Zillow’s privacy policy goes into greater detail about its data collection practices. 

Through the privacy portal, users can also turn off advertising cookies or adjust cookie settings individually, request a copy of their data, update their data, or delete their data. 

Users can also control location tracking by changing their location services options on the “Settings” app on their mobile device (though Zillow may still approximate their location based on their IP address) and unsubscribe from promotional messages.

Zillow has faced several privacy controversies, including the following: 

• In 2022, two users filed a class action lawsuit against Zillow, accusing the company of illegally tracking their online behavior without their consent. The lawsuit claims that Zillow, using a tool provided by Microsoft, records users’ mouse movements, keystrokes, and other actions on its website, creating detailed replays of their entire sessions. 
• Zillow is among the companies charged in a 2024 lawsuit for violating user privacy by tracking user video usage and sharing that data with third parties. 

Terms of Service; Didn’t Read (ToS;DR), a project that rates internet services’ terms of service and privacy policies, hasn’t given Zillow a grade yet. However, it notes the following as potential concerns:

• May collect, use, and share location data.
• Third-party cookies track users for purposes other than analytics and statistics without consent.
• Tracks which webpage referred you to the service.
• May use tracking pixels, web beacons, browser fingerprinting, and/or device fingerprinting on users.

How to improve your safety and privacy on Zillow

Follow the steps below for a more private and secure experience while using Zillow. 

• Avoid creating an account. If possible, use Zillow without creating an account. This limits the amount of personal information you share with the platform. However, this may restrict access to certain features like saving searches or favorite listings.
• Use a secondary email. If you need to create an account, consider using a secondary email address that isn’t linked to your personal or work accounts. This helps keep your main email private.
• Adjust email preferences. Go to your account settings and manage email preferences to minimize the number of marketing emails or alerts you receive. This reduces the amount of data Zillow collects based on your email interactions.
• Opt out of targeted ads. Zillow allows you to opt out of some targeted advertising. To adjust these options, visit the “Advertising Preferences” section in your account settings.
• Browse privately. When using Zillow, use incognito or private browsing mode. This prevents cookies and browsing history from being stored on your device, reducing the amount of data Zillow and third-party advertisers can collect.
• Clear cookies. If you don’t use private browsing, regularly clear cookies and site data from your browser to limit tracking.
• Limit the use of saved features. Avoid saving searches or favorite properties. These actions can be tracked and used to personalize ads or services.
• Delete saved data. If you’ve already saved searches or favorites, consider deleting them from your account to reduce the data Zillow has on your preferences.
• Use a burner phone number. Consider using a temporary or secondary phone number when contacting real estate agents through Zillow. This protects your primary number from being shared with third parties or added to marketing lists.
• Avoid sharing sensitive information. When filling out forms or making inquiries, provide only the essential information needed to get a response.
• Don’t link social accounts. Avoid linking your Zillow account to social media profiles. This prevents Zillow from accessing additional data about you from those platforms.
• Understand data usage. Read Zillow’s privacy policy to learn what data they collect, how it’s used, and your rights. This can help you make more informed decisions about using the platform.
• Check what’s stored. Periodically review your account activity, such as saved searches, viewed properties, and interactions with agents, and delete any information you no longer want Zillow to retain.