About this page

Explains how property publication works in real estate networks: the 3 modes a network can have, whether you can adjust that behavior as a client, and which situations block publication regardless of the mode.

Related pages: Connect Networks (Marketplace) · Publish in Networks · Networks — Website publication.

When a real estate network is created, the owner chooses one of 3 publication modes that defines how members' properties reach the network. This page explains the 3 modes and how you, as a client, can adjust the behavior if the network allows it.


The 3 publication modes

ModeWhat it means for youTypical use case
ManualYou decide which properties to publish to the network, one by one, from each property's panel. Nothing is published automatically.Open publication networks or partner networks where each member chooses what to share.
Automatic by defaultWhen you connect to the network, all your published properties are added automatically. New ones you publish are also added on their own. You can change this to Manual if you want (see below).Collaborative networks that aim for maximum participation, but without requiring the member to.
MandatoryAll your published properties always go to the network, without exception. You can't turn it off. It's part of that network's terms.Closed, exclusive Business networks where the premise is to share 100% of the catalog among members.

Tip: The mode is defined by the network administrator when creating it. As a member, you see it when connecting and you can't change it (although you can adjust your personal behavior in networks that allow it, as explained below).


Client override: you choose (when the network allows it)

In Manual and Automatic by default networks, you can adjust the behavior for your account from the network's settings screen. This adjustment is called an override, and it overrides the network's default mode only for you.

If the network is...You can switch to...Result
ManualAutomaticAll your published properties move to the network automatically. New ones too.
Automatic by defaultManualYou go back to publishing property by property, without automation.
Mandatory(not available)The switch appears locked. You can't change anything.

Mandatory network: if the network is Mandatory, the mode switch appears disabled with a lock icon. This setting is a requirement of the network, not an error. By connecting to this network you accepted these terms.


Effective mode: what actually happens

The combination of the network's mode and your personal setting determines the effective mode, which is what the system uses to decide whether to publish each property.

Network modeYour personal settingEffective mode
Manual(unchanged)Manual — publication one by one
ManualSwitched to AutomaticAutomatic — publishes everything
Automatic by default(unchanged)Automatic — publishes everything
Automatic by defaultSwitched to ManualManual — publication one by one
Mandatory(not applicable)Automatic — always, without exception

When the mode does NOT publish a property

Even if the effective mode is Automatic or Mandatory, there are situations where a property is not published to the network:

SituationWhat happens
The property is SoldIt's not published. If it was already published, it's automatically removed.
The property is RentedIt's not published. If it was already published, it's automatically removed.
The property is ReservedIt's not published. If it was already published, it's automatically removed.
The property is SuspendedIt's not published. If it was already published, it's automatically removed.
The property is pending moderationIt's not published until the administrator approves it.
The property is unpublished in your accountIt's not published to any network.

Important: These blocks always apply, regardless of the network's mode or your personal settings. A Sold property never appears in a network, even if the network is Mandatory.


Where it's configured

  • The network owner defines the mode when creating it or from the network's admin panel. Once defined, members can't change it.
  • You, as a client, see the mode when connecting to the network (see "Connect Networks (Marketplace)") and can adjust your override from that connection's settings, if the network allows it.
  • Per property: in networks with an effective Manual mode, you can enable or disable publication to each network from the property's publication panel (see "Publish in Networks").

Tip: If you connect to an Automatic by default network and don't want all your properties published, change your setting to Manual immediately after connecting, before the system syncs your catalog.


Website publication: a separate setting

The publication mode decides whether your properties enter the network's catalog. Website publication is a different, independent setting that decides whether network properties appear on each member's website. It only applies to MLS networks (Cowork and Business).

These are two separate decisions and are configured separately. See "Networks — Website publication".


See also

  • Connect Networks (Marketplace) — how to join a network and configure your options when connecting
  • Publish in Networks — how to publish and unpublish properties in networks from the properties panel
  • Networks — Website publication — what it means to publish on other members' websites (MLS networks only)