Why We’re So Excited About the New Best of Zillow

The idea is always top of mind at Zillow: Our Premier Agent partners are central to our success. We write it often, we post it often, and we say it out loud even more. When we collaborate to elevate the customer experience above all else, we all win, and so do our customers. With this in mind, we’ve listened closely to your feedback. Taking it all in, we’ve redesigned Best of Zillow to reward partners who consistently delight our shared customers. I truly believe these are the strongest developments in the program yet, and I think you’ll agree.

The new Best of Zillow benefits

We’re very excited to share a host of new benefits, but I’ll highlight just two of the most notable here. First, we’re investing in ways to deliver higher-intent leads — pre-approved buyers, seller connections, and more. As we finalize these new programs in initial markets, we’ll begin routing these vetted connections to agents who’ve achieved Best of Zillow in more and more areas. 

Second, we’re launching the Top Agent on Zillow digital badge. Brand is a crucial element of any successful real estate enterprise, and agents work hard to build their reputations. In recognition, we wanted to help our best partners distinguish themselves on our platform. The badge will display on your profile, indicating that you’re committed to exceptional experiences.

We’re also including early access to ShowingTime+ features, prioritization when inventory opens in previously sold-out zip codes, eligibility for pilots and business innovations, and value-added events and networking opportunities. You can learn more about the updated benefits, and I recommend keeping an eye on your inbox for new rewards and updates as they roll out.

The new Best of Zillow metrics

Again based on that vital feedback from partners, we’ve simplified and clarified the metrics that determine Best of Zillow status. Now it’s easier than ever to see how you’re performing against those metrics. We chose this simplified model because our data shows that these measures are most closely tied to dazzling customer experiences and consistent closings. In short, they comprise a formula that puts the customer first and ultimately benefits everyone involved.

You can read more about the metrics, but they break down to three main areas: customer experience (practices like responsiveness and communication style), agent performance (how often you’re helping clients complete their goals), and operational readiness (using best practices to keep your CRM updated). As a whole, these mean happy, returning customers, and thriving, efficient real estate businesses.

The new Best of Zillow report

We’ve launched the new report format, and you can see yours anytime. What’s new is that we display every metric we’ll use in determining Best of Zillow status. How you’re tracking against goals will be updated daily, so you’ll see your wins and how they affect your score within 24 hours of the event. No more guesswork. You’ll have full transparency of the qualification process any time you want. For a detailed breakdown of the report metrics and how to improve your scores, see this guide. 

You can still access updated Best of Zillow courses through your report, and this will help you prepare for a smooth transition when September comes. The report still updates daily with the latest data, and we'll still award or remove Best of Zillow status on a monthly basis. 

Ultimately, we’re excited about the new Best of Zillow because it puts the power of outstanding customer experiences more firmly in your hands. It rewards you for helping people get home in a way that’s positive and memorable. In the end, as my colleague Racquel Russell put it so eloquently, this is a business of human connection. We believe the new Best of Zillow will help elevate the best teams and agents — those whom we’re lucky to call our partners.

Read more about Best of Zillow here, the new Best of Zillow Report here, and the Best of Zillow FAQ here.