Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies) |
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| Accounting Policies [Abstract] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Basis of Presentation | Basis of Presentation The accompanying consolidated financial statements include Zillow Group, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. These consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with GAAP.
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| Use of Estimates | Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make certain estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the related disclosures at the date of the financial statements, as well as the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the periods presented. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates, including those related to the accounting for certain revenue offerings, amortization period and recoverability of contract cost assets, website and software development costs, recoverability of long-lived assets and intangible assets, share-based compensation, income taxes, business combinations, including the initial and subsequent fair value measurements of assets (primarily intangible assets), liabilities and contingent consideration, and the recoverability of goodwill, among others. To the extent there are material differences between these estimates, judgments or assumptions and actual results, our financial statements will be affected. The health of the housing market and the broader economy may result in additional uncertainty with respect to estimates, judgments and assumptions, which may materially impact the estimates previously listed, among others.
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| Concentrations of Credit Risk | Concentrations of Credit Risk Financial instruments, which potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risk, consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, investments, accounts receivable and mortgage loans held for sale. We place cash and cash equivalents and investments with major financial institutions, which management assesses to be of high credit quality, to limit the exposure of our investments to credit risk. Credit risk with respect to accounts receivable is dispersed due to the large number of customers. There were no customers that comprised 10% or more of our total accounts receivable as of December 31, 2025 or 2024. Further, our credit risk on accounts receivable is mitigated by the relatively short payment terms that we offer. Collateral is not required for accounts receivable. We maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts such that receivables are stated at net realizable value. Similarly, our credit risk on mortgage loans held for sale is dispersed due to a large number of customers and is mitigated by the fact that we typically sell mortgages on the secondary market within a relatively short period of time after the loan is originated.
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| Cash and Cash Equivalents/Restricted Cash | Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash includes demand deposits with banks or financial institutions. Cash equivalents include short-term, highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash, and so near their maturity that they present minimal risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates. Our cash equivalents represent investments with original maturities of three months or less. We regularly maintain cash in excess of federally insured limits at financial institutions. Restricted Cash Restricted cash primarily consists of amounts used to fund customer home purchases in our mortgage origination operations.
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| Short-term Investments | Short-term Investments Our investments consist of fixed income securities, which include U.S. government treasury securities, investment grade corporate securities, U.S. government agency securities, and commercial paper. The investments are available to support current operations and are classified as short-term investments measured at fair value. Our investment policy only allows for purchases of investment-grade securities and provides guidelines on concentrations to ensure minimum risk of loss. We evaluate whether unrealized losses on available-for-sale debt securities are the result of credit worthiness of the securities held or other non-credit related factors. If an unrealized loss is the result of credit quality factors, we recognize an allowance reflective of our current estimate of credit losses expected to be incurred over the life of the financial instrument on a specific identification basis upon initial recognition and at each reporting period. If a reduction in value is a result of other factors, we continue to classify the losses in comprehensive loss unless either we intend to sell the security or it is more likely than not we will be required to sell the security. We did not identify any unrealized loss positions in our available-for-sale securities that were the result of credit losses as of December 31, 2025 or 2024. Additionally, we have the ability to hold our investments to maturity and more likely than not will not be required to sell the securities before a recovery of the amortized cost basis has occurred.
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| Mortgage Loans Held for Sale | Mortgage Loans Held for Sale Mortgage loans held for sale include residential mortgages originated for sale in the secondary market in connection with our mortgage origination operations. We have elected the fair value option for all mortgage loans held for sale as election of this option allows for a better offset of the changes in fair values of the loans and the derivative instruments used to economically hedge them without having to apply complex hedge accounting provisions. Mortgage loans held for sale are initially recorded at fair value based on either sale commitments or current market quotes and are adjusted for subsequent changes in fair value until the loans are sold. Net origination costs and fees associated with mortgage loans are recognized as incurred. We sell substantially all of the mortgages we originate and the related servicing rights to third-party purchasers. Interest income is earned from the date a mortgage loan is originated until the loan is sold and is classified within other income, net in the consolidated statements of operations. Generally, mortgage loans originated are sold within a short period of time in the secondary mortgage market on a servicing released, nonrecourse basis, which limits exposure to nonperformance by loan buyer counterparties. However, we remain liable for certain limited representations and warranties related to loan sales, such as non-compliance with defined loan origination or documentation standards, including misstatement in the loan documents, early payoff or default on early payments. Mortgage investors could seek to have us buy back loans or compensate them for losses incurred on mortgages we have sold based on claims that we breached our limited representations and warranties. We record a reserve for probable losses in connection with the sale of mortgage loans within accrued expenses and other current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet.
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| Loan Commitments and Related Derivatives | Loan Commitments and Related Derivatives We are party to IRLCs, which are extended to borrowers who have applied for loan funding and meet defined credit and underwriting criteria in connection with our mortgage origination operations. IRLCs are accounted for as derivative instruments recorded at fair value with gains and losses recognized in revenue in the consolidated statements of operations. We manage our interest rate risk related to IRLCs and mortgage loans held for sale through the use of derivative instruments, generally forward contracts on MBSs, which are commitments to either purchase or sell a financial instrument at a future date for a specified price, and mandatory loan commitments, which are an obligation by an investor to buy loans at a specified price within a specified time period. We do not enter into or hold derivatives for trading or speculative purposes, and our derivatives are not designated as hedging instruments. Changes in the fair value of our derivative financial instruments are recognized in revenue in our consolidated statements of operations, and the fair values are reflected in other current assets or other current liabilities, as applicable. Refer to Note 3 to our consolidated financial statements for additional information regarding IRLCs and related derivatives. There are no material credit-risk-related contingent features within our derivative agreements, and counterparty risk is considered minimal. Gains and losses on IRLCs are substantially offset by corresponding gains or losses on forward contracts on MBSs and mandatory loan commitments. We are generally not exposed to variability in cash flows of derivative instruments for more than approximately 90 days.
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| Contract Balances/Contract Cost Assets/Revenue Recognition | Contract Balances Accounts receivable represent our unconditional right to consideration. Accounts receivable are generally due within 30 days and are recorded net of the allowance for doubtful accounts. The allowance for doubtful accounts represents our estimate of expected credit losses over the contractual life of the accounts receivable. To evaluate the adequacy of our allowance for doubtful accounts each reporting period, we analyze the accounts receivable balances with similar risk characteristics on a collective basis, considering factors such as the aging of receivable balances, payment terms, historical loss experience, current information and future expectations. Changes to the allowance for doubtful accounts are adjusted through credit loss expense, which is included in general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations. Contract assets represent our right to consideration in exchange for goods and services that we have transferred to the customer when that right is conditional on something other than the passage of time. Contract assets are primarily related to our Zillow Preferred (formerly “Flex”), Pay-Per-Lease and StreetEasy Experts offerings, whereby we estimate variable consideration based on the expected number of real estate transactions to be closed for Zillow Preferred and StreetEasy Experts, and qualified leases to be secured for Pay-Per-Lease. We recognize revenue when we satisfy our performance obligations under the corresponding contracts. The current portion of contract assets are recorded within prepaid expenses and other current assets and the long-term portion of contract assets are recorded within other assets in our consolidated balance sheets. Contract liabilities consist of deferred revenue, which relates to payments received in advance of performance under a revenue contract. Deferred revenue is primarily related to prepaid advertising fees received or billed in advance of satisfying our performance obligations and prepaid but unrecognized subscription revenue. Deferred revenue is recognized when or as we satisfy our obligations under contracts with customers. Contract Cost Assets We capitalize certain incremental costs of obtaining contracts with customers which we expect to recover. These costs relate to commissions paid to sales personnel, primarily for our Premier Agent and Rentals products. As a practical expedient, we recognize the incremental costs of obtaining a contract as an expense when incurred if the amortization period of the asset that we otherwise would have recognized is one year or less. Capitalized commission costs are recorded as contract cost assets in our consolidated balance sheets. Contract cost assets are amortized to expense on a straight-line basis over a period that is consistent with the transfer to the customer of the products or services to which the asset relates, generally the estimated life of the customer relationship. Amortization expense related to contract cost assets is included in sales and marketing expenses in our consolidated statements of operations. In determining the estimated life of our customer relationships, we consider quantitative and qualitative data, including, but not limited to, historical customer data, recent changes or expected changes in product or service offerings and changes in how we monetize our products and services. We monitor our contract cost assets for impairment and recognize an impairment loss in the consolidated statements of operations to the extent the carrying amount of the asset recognized exceeds the amount of consideration that we expect to receive in the future and that we have received but have not recognized in revenue less the costs that relate directly to providing those goods or services that have not yet been recognized as expenses. For the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, we did not record any material impairment losses to our contract cost assets. Revenue Recognition We recognize revenue when or as we satisfy our performance obligations by transferring control of the promised products or services to our customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which we expect to be entitled in exchange for those products or services. As a practical expedient, we do not adjust the promised amount of consideration for the effects of a significant financing component, as the period between our transfer of a promised product or service to a customer and when the customer pays for that product or service is generally one year or less, with the exception of certain of our pay for performance products, including Zillow Preferred and StreetEasy Experts, whereby we may not receive payment for more than a year after control of the promised products or services is transferred to our customers. In these cases, however, because a substantial portion of the consideration is variable, we have concluded the contracts do not include a significant financing component. We do not disclose the transaction price related to remaining performance obligations for (i) contracts with an original expected duration of one year or less or (ii) contracts for which we recognize revenue at the amount to which we have the right to invoice for performance completed to date. The remaining duration over which we satisfy our performance obligations is generally less than one year. Our revenue is classified into four categories: Residential, Mortgages, Rentals and Other. Our “For Sale revenue” subtotal includes our Residential and Mortgages revenue categories and represents our revenue from participation in residential real estate purchase and sale transactions. Residential. Residential revenue includes revenue generated from our agent and software offerings and revenue derived from our New Construction marketplace and StreetEasy for sale product offerings. Agent offerings include Premier Agent market-based pricing, Zillow Preferred (formerly Flex) and Zillow Showcase. Software offerings primarily include Follow Up Boss, dotloop, and ShowingTime. Premier Agent advertising products, which include the delivery of validated customer connections, or leads, are offered on a share of voice (“market-based pricing”) and pay for performance (“Zillow Preferred”) basis. Connections are delivered when consumer contact information is provided to Premier Agent partners. We do not promise any minimum or maximum number of connections to customers for either market-based pricing or Zillow Preferred. For Premier Agent market-based pricing, we control when and how many connections to deliver based on a customer’s share of voice. A Premier Agent partner’s share of voice in a zip code is determined by their proportional monthly prepaid spend in that zip code as a percentage of the total monthly prepaid spend of all Premier Agent partners in that zip code, and determines the proportion of connections a Premier Agent partner receives. The number of connections delivered for a given spend level is dynamic; as demand for advertising in a zip code increases or decreases, the number of connections delivered to a Premier Agent partner in that zip code decreases or increases accordingly. We recognize revenue related to Premier Agent market-based pricing products and services based on the monthly prepaid spend recognized on a straight-line basis during the monthly billing period over which the products and services are provided. This methodology best depicts how we satisfy our performance obligations to customers, as we continuously transfer control of the performance obligations to the customer over time. We have not allocated the transaction price to each performance obligation within our Premier Agent market-based pricing arrangements, as the amounts recognized would be the same irrespective of any allocation. Our pay for performance pricing model, “Zillow Preferred,” was introduced as the next chapter for our Flex program in the fourth quarter of 2025, and is available in certain markets to select partners. With the Zillow Preferred model, Premier Agent partners are provided with leads and pay a performance advertising fee when a real estate transaction is closed with one of the leads, generally within two years. With this pricing model, the transaction price represents variable consideration, as the amount to which we expect to be entitled varies based on the number of leads that convert into real estate transactions and the value of those transactions. We estimate variable consideration and record revenue over time as our performance obligations, or leads, are transferred. We do not believe that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will occur once the uncertainty related to the number of transactions closed is subsequently resolved. We record a contract asset for our estimate of the consideration to which we will be entitled when the right to the consideration is conditional. When the right to consideration becomes unconditional, upon the close of a real estate transaction, we reclassify amounts to accounts receivable. Zillow Showcase is an advertising and marketing solution which allows real estate agents to advertise an enhanced listing on our mobile apps and websites. Customers pay for Zillow Showcase credits upfront, and each credit allows the customer to apply the Showcase listing treatment to one active for-sale listing. Zillow Showcase revenue is recognized by measuring our progress towards satisfaction of our performance obligations, primarily the enhanced listing features, using the output method of results achieved. Follow Up Boss is a SaaS solution allowing real estate agents, teams and brokerages to manage real estate leads from the initial contact through the home buying or selling process. Follow Up Boss revenue is primarily billed in advance on a monthly basis and recognized ratably over the contract period, aligning to the satisfaction of our performance obligations. Dotloop is a real estate transaction management SaaS solution. ShowingTime primarily generates revenue through Appointment Center, which is a SaaS and call center solution allowing real estate agents, brokerages and multiple listing services to efficiently schedule real estate viewing appointments on behalf of their customers. Both dotloop and Appointment Center revenue are primarily billed monthly in advance and recognized ratably over the contract period, aligning to the satisfaction of our performance obligations. Our new construction marketing solutions allow home builders to showcase their available inventory to home shoppers. New construction revenue primarily includes revenue generated by advertising sold to builders on a cost per residential community basis whereby we recognize revenue on a straight-line basis during the contractual period over which the communities are advertised on our mobile apps and websites. New construction revenue also includes revenue generated on a cost per impression basis whereby we recognize revenue as impressions are delivered to users interacting with our mobile apps and websites, which is the amount for which we have the right to invoice. Consideration for new construction products is billed in arrears. StreetEasy for-sale revenue primarily consists of our StreetEasy Experts and StreetEasy subscription offerings. StreetEasy Experts is our pay for performance pricing model available in the New York City market for which agents and brokers are provided with leads at no initial cost and pay a performance referral fee only when a real estate purchase transaction is closed with one of the leads. Under the StreetEasy Experts pricing model, the transaction price represents variable consideration, as the amount to which we expect to be entitled varies based on the number of leads that convert into real estate transactions and the value of those transactions. We estimate variable consideration based on the expected number of closed transactions during the period. We do not believe that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will occur when the uncertainty related to the number of transactions closed is subsequently resolved. We record a corresponding contract asset for the estimate of variable consideration for StreetEasy Experts when the right to the consideration is conditional. When the right to consideration becomes unconditional upon the close of a real estate transaction, we reclassify amounts to accounts receivable. Revenue generated through StreetEasy subscription offerings includes the sale of advertising and a suite of tools to developers, property managers, agents and other real estate professionals. StreetEasy subscription customers pay in advance on a cost per property basis. We recognize revenue for our StreetEasy subscription offerings on a straight-line basis over the contractual listing period which aligns to our satisfaction of performance obligations. Rentals. Rentals revenue includes the sale of advertising and a suite of tools to rental professionals, landlords and other market participants under the Zillow and StreetEasy brands. Rentals revenue includes revenue generated by advertising sold to property managers, landlords and other rental professionals on a cost per lease, listing or impression basis or for a fixed fee for certain advertising packages. We recognize revenue as leads or impressions are provided to rental professionals, or as rental listings are published on our mobile apps and websites, which is the amount for which we have the right to invoice. We bill our fixed fee rentals products monthly in arrears and recognize revenue ratably over the contract period, aligning to the satisfaction of our performance obligations. The number of leases generated through our rentals Pay-Per-Lease product during the period is accounted for as variable consideration. We estimate the amount of consideration based on the expected number of qualified leases secured during the period. We do not believe that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will occur once the uncertainty related to the number of leases secured is subsequently resolved. We record a contract asset for the estimate of variable consideration for Pay-Per-Lease when the right to the consideration is conditional. When the right to consideration becomes unconditional upon the execution of a lease, we reclassify amounts to accounts receivable. Rentals revenue also includes revenue generated from our rental applications product, through which potential renters can submit applications to multiple properties for a flat service fee. Rental applications customers pay upfront and we recognize revenue ratably over the contractual period during which the customer has the right to access and submit the rental application. Mortgages. Mortgages revenue primarily includes revenue generated by Zillow Home Loans, our affiliated mortgage lender, and marketing products sold to mortgage professionals on a cost per lead basis, primarily our Connect services. Mortgage origination revenue reflects origination fees on purchase or refinance mortgages and the corresponding sale, or expected future sale, of a loan. When an IRLC is made to a customer, we record the expected gain on sale of the mortgage, plus the estimated earnings from the expected sale of the associated servicing rights, adjusted for a pull-through percentage (which is defined as the likelihood that an IRLC will be originated), as revenue. Revenue from loan origination fees is recognized at the time the related purchase or refinance transactions are completed, usually upon the close of escrow and when we fund the purchase or refinance mortgage loans. Once funded, mortgage loans held for sale are recorded at fair value based on either sale commitments or current market quotes and are adjusted for subsequent changes in fair value until the loan is sold. Origination costs associated with originating mortgage loans are recognized as incurred. We generally sell the mortgages we originate and the related servicing rights to third-party purchasers. Mortgage loans are sold with limited recourse provisions, which can result in repurchases of loans previously sold to investors or payments to reimburse investors for loan losses. Based on historical experience, discussions with our mortgage purchasers, analysis of the volume of mortgages we originated and current housing and credit market conditions, we estimate and record a loss reserve for mortgage loans held for sale, as well as known and projected mortgage loan repurchase requests. These have historically not been material to our financial statements. Zillow Group operates Connect through its wholly owned subsidiary, Zillow Group Marketplace, Inc., a licensed mortgage broker. For our Connect cost per lead marketing product, participating qualified mortgage professionals typically make a prepayment to gain access to consumers interested in connecting with mortgage professionals. Mortgage professionals who exhaust their initial prepayment prepay additional funds to continue to participate in the marketplace. We recognize revenue when a user contacts a mortgage professional through our mortgages platform, which corresponds directly to the value of our performance. Other. Other revenue primarily includes revenue generated from display products, which consist of graphical mobile and web advertising sold on a cost per thousand impressions or cost per click basis to advertisers promoting their brands on our mobile apps and websites. We recognize revenue as clicks occur or as impressions are delivered to users interacting with our mobile apps or websites, which is the amount for which we have the right to invoice. There were no customers that generated 10% or more of our total revenue in the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 or 2023. Cost of Revenue. Cost of revenue consists of expenses related to operating our mobile apps and websites, including associated headcount-related expenses, such as salaries, benefits, bonuses and share-based compensation expense, as well as revenue-sharing costs related to our commercial business relationships, depreciation expense, and costs associated with hosting our mobile apps and websites. Cost of revenue also includes amortization costs related to capitalized website and development activities, amortization of software, amortization of certain intangible assets and other costs to obtain data used to populate our mobile apps and websites, and amortization of certain intangible assets recorded in connection with acquisitions, including developed technology. Cost of revenue also includes credit card fees and ad serving costs paid to third parties, direct costs to provide our rental applications product, and direct costs to originate mortgage loans, including underwriting and processing costs. Sales and Marketing. Sales and marketing expenses consist of advertising costs and other sales expenses related to promotional and marketing activities, headcount-related expenses, including salaries, commissions, benefits, bonuses and share-based compensation expense for sales, sales support, customer support, including the customer connections team and mortgage loan officers and specialists, marketing and public relations employees, depreciation expense and amortization of certain intangible assets recorded in connection with acquisitions and strategic partnerships, including trade names and trademarks and customer relationships. Advertising costs are expensed as incurred.
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| Property and Equipment | Property and Equipment Property and equipment is recorded at cost and depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets. The useful lives are as follows:
Maintenance and repair costs are expensed as incurred. Major improvements, which extend the useful life of the related asset, are capitalized. Upon disposal of a fixed asset, we record a gain or loss based on the difference between the proceeds received and the net book value of the disposed asset. We remove fully depreciated property and equipment from the cost and accumulated depreciation amounts disclosed.
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| Website and Internal-Use Software Development Costs | Website and Software Development Costs Costs incurred in the preliminary stages of website and software development are expensed as incurred. Once an application has reached the development stage, internal and external costs, if direct and incremental and deemed by management to be significant, are capitalized in property and equipment and amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. Maintenance and enhancement costs, including those costs in the post-implementation stages, are typically expensed as incurred, unless such costs relate to substantial upgrades and enhancements to the website or software that result in added functionality, in which case the costs are capitalized and amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. Amortization expense related to capitalized website and software development costs is included in cost of revenue in our consolidated statements of operations. Capitalized development activities placed in service are amortized over the expected useful lives of those releases, currently estimated at to five years. The estimated useful lives of website and software development activities are reviewed frequently and adjusted as appropriate to reflect upcoming development activities that may include significant upgrades and/or enhancements to the existing functionality. We remove fully amortized website and software development costs from the cost and accumulated amortization amounts disclosed. Construction-in-progress primarily consists of website and software development costs that are capitalizable, but for which the associated applications have not been placed in service.
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| Leases | Leases Our lease portfolio is primarily composed of operating leases for our office space. We determine whether a contract is or contains a lease at inception of the contract. Our operating leases are included in right of use assets and lease liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets. We do not have any material financing leases. Right of use assets represent our right to use an underlying asset during the lease term and lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments. Right of use assets and lease liabilities are recognized at the lease commencement date based on the present value of the total lease payments contracted but not yet paid, including lease incentives not yet received, with the right of use assets further adjusted for any prepaid or accrued lease payments, lease incentives received and/or initial direct costs incurred. We have lease agreements that include both lease components (e.g., fixed rent) and non-lease components (e.g., common area maintenance). For such leases, we account for the lease and non-lease components as a single component. Certain lease arrangements also include variable payments for costs such as common-area maintenance, utilities, taxes or other operating costs, which are based on a percentage of actual expenses incurred or a fluctuating rate which is unknown at the inception of the contract. These variable lease payments are excluded from the measurement of the right of use assets and lease liabilities. Our leases have remaining lease terms ranging from approximately four years to seven years, most of which include one or more options to extend the lease term. The renewal options can generally extend the lease term for up to an additional to five years. When determining if a renewal option is reasonably certain of being exercised at lease commencement, we consider several factors, including but not limited to, contract-based, asset-based and entity-based factors. We reassess the term of existing leases if there is a significant event or change in circumstances within our control that affects whether we are reasonably certain to exercise an option to extend a lease. Examples of such events or changes include construction of significant leasehold improvements or other modifications or customizations to the underlying asset, relevant business decisions or subleases. As of December 31, 2025, we have concluded that our renewal options are not reasonably certain of being exercised, therefore, renewal options are not included in the right of use assets and lease liabilities. As our leases do not provide an implicit rate, we use our incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the lease commencement date in determining the present value of the lease payments. We apply a portfolio approach for determining the incremental borrowing rate based on the applicable lease terms and the current economic environment. We recognize lease expense for operating leases on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Variable lease payments are generally recognized when incurred. For leases with an initial term of 12 months or less, we recognize the associated lease payments in the consolidated statements of operations on a straight-line basis over the lease term. These expenses are included in general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations.
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| Recoverability of Goodwill | Recoverability of Goodwill Goodwill is measured as the excess of consideration transferred for an acquired business over the net of the acquisition date fair values of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed, and is not amortized. We assess the impairment of goodwill at the reporting unit level on an annual basis, in our fourth quarter, or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that goodwill may be impaired. In our evaluation of goodwill, we initially perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances indicates that it is more likely than not that the carrying value of each reporting unit is greater than its fair value. If it is more likely than not that the carrying value of a reporting unit is greater than its fair value, we perform a quantitative assessment and an impairment charge is recorded in our statements of operations if the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value. During the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, we did not record any impairments related to goodwill. Our chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) is our chief executive officer (“CEO”) who manages our business, makes operating decisions and evaluates operating performance on the basis of the company as a whole. This aligns to our ongoing growth strategy and our intent to provide integrated customer solutions for all tasks and services related to facilitating real estate transactions. Accordingly, we have a single operating and reportable segment.
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| Intangible Assets/Recoverability of Intangible Assets with Definite Lives and Other Long-Lived Assets | Intangible Assets We purchase and license data content from multiple data providers. In some instances, we retain perpetual rights to this information after our contract with a vendor ends; in other instances, the information and data are licensed only during the fixed term of the agreement. We capitalize payments made to third parties for data licenses that we expect to recover through generation of revenue and margins. We amortize capitalized purchased content on a straight-line basis using our best estimate of the useful life of the asset, which ranges from to seven years. Under certain other data agreements, the underlying data is obtained on a subscription basis with consistent monthly or quarterly recurring payment terms over the contractual period. Upon the expiration of such arrangements, we no longer have the right to access the related data, and therefore, the costs incurred under such contracts are not capitalized and are expensed as payments are made. We also capitalize costs related to the license of certain internal-use software from third parties, including certain licenses of software in cloud computing arrangements. Additionally, we capitalize costs incurred during the application development stage related to the development and customization of internal-use software and enterprise cloud computing services. We expense costs as incurred related to the planning and post-implementation phases of development. Capitalized internal-use software costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the asset, which is currently to five years. Intangibles-in-progress include capitalizable development costs incurred before the related software is placed in service. We also have intangible assets for customer relationships, developed technology, and trade names and trademarks which we recorded in connection with acquisitions and strategic partnerships. Purchased intangible assets with a determinable economic life are carried at cost less accumulated amortization. These intangible assets are amortized over the estimated useful life of the asset on a straight-line basis. For each of the intangible assets described above, we have removed fully amortized assets from the cost and accumulated amortization amounts disclosed. Recoverability of Intangible Assets with Definite Lives and Other Long-Lived Assets We evaluate intangible assets and other long-lived assets, including our lease right of use assets, for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that they may not be recoverable. Recoverability is measured by comparing the carrying amount of an asset group to future undiscounted net cash flows expected to be generated. We group assets for purposes of such review at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows of the asset group are largely independent of the cash flows of the other groups of assets and liabilities. If this comparison indicates impairment, the amount of impairment to be recognized is calculated as the difference between the carrying value and the fair value of the asset group.
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| Business Combinations | Business Combinations We recognize identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed at their acquisition date fair values. Goodwill as of the acquisition date is measured as the excess of consideration transferred over the net of the acquisition date fair values of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed. While we use our best estimates and assumptions for the preliminary purchase price allocation process to value assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date, our estimates are inherently uncertain and subject to refinement. As a result, during the measurement period, which may be up to one year from the acquisition date, we record adjustments to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, with the corresponding offset to goodwill to the extent that we identify adjustments to the preliminary purchase price allocation. Upon the conclusion of the measurement period or final determination of the values of assets acquired or liabilities assumed, whichever comes first, any subsequent adjustments are recorded to our consolidated statements of operations. We recognize adjustments to provisional amounts that are identified during the measurement period in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined. We record contingent consideration at its preliminary estimated fair value at the date of acquisition. The current portion of contingent consideration is recorded within accrued expenses and other current liabilities, and the long-term portion is recorded within other long-term liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets. The fair value of contingent consideration is remeasured each reporting period. Measurement period adjustments, if any, to the preliminary estimated fair value as of the acquisition date are recorded to goodwill during the measurement period, which may be up to one year from the acquisition date. Changes in fair value as a result of updated assumptions after the acquisition date are recorded in general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations.
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| Technology and Development | Technology and Development. Technology and development expenses consist of headcount-related expenses, including salaries, benefits, bonuses and share-based compensation expense for individuals engaged in the design, development and testing of our products, mobile apps and websites and the tools and apps that support our products. Technology and development expenses also include equipment and software maintenance costs and depreciation expense. Research and development costs are expensed as incurred and are recorded in technology and development expenses. For the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, expenses attributable to research and development totaled $553 million, $543 million and $545 million, respectively.
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| Share-Based Compensation | Share-Based Compensation. We measure compensation expense for all share-based awards at fair value on the date of grant and recognize compensation expense over the service period on a straight-line basis for awards expected to vest. We use the Black-Scholes-Merton option-pricing model to determine the fair value for option awards. In valuing our option awards, we make assumptions about risk-free interest rates, dividend yields, volatility and weighted-average expected lives. We account for forfeitures as they occur. Risk-free interest rates are derived from U.S. Treasury securities as of the option award grant date. Expected dividend yield is based on our historical cash dividend payments, which have been zero to date. The expected volatility for our Class C capital stock is estimated using our historical volatility. The weighted-average expected life of the option awards is estimated based on our historical exercise data. When determining the grant date fair value of share-based awards, management considers whether an adjustment is required to the observable market price or volatility of the Company’s Class C capital stock used in the valuation as a result of material non-public information. For issuances of restricted stock units, we determine the fair value of the award based on the market value of our Class C capital stock, as applicable, at the date of grant.
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| Income Taxes | Income Taxes We use the asset and liability approach for accounting and reporting income taxes, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities at the applicable enacted tax rates. A valuation allowance against deferred tax assets would be established if, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not (a likelihood of more than 50%) that some or all of the deferred tax assets are not expected to be realized. We establish reserves for tax-related uncertainties based on estimates of whether, and the extent to which, additional taxes will be due. We adjust these reserves in light of changing facts and circumstances, such as the closing of a tax audit, new tax legislation or the change of an estimate. To the extent that the final tax outcome of these matters is different than the amounts recorded, such differences will affect the provision for income taxes in the period in which such determination is made. Interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits are recorded as income tax expense.
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| Recently Adopted Accounting Standards And Recently Issued Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted | Recently Adopted Accounting Standards In December 2023, the FASB issued guidance to enhance the income tax rate reconciliation disclosure requirements and to provide clarity on disclosure requirements for income taxes. We adopted this guidance on a prospective basis for the annual period ending December 31, 2025. While the adoption of this guidance has resulted in additional disclosures related to income taxes, it did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. Refer to Note 9 for additional information related to our income tax disclosures. Recently Issued Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted In November 2024, the FASB issued guidance that will require disclosure of specified information about certain costs and expenses included within an entity’s consolidated financial statements. This guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2026 and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2027, and can be applied on a prospective or retrospective basis, with early adoption permitted. We have not yet determined the impact the adoption of this guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements. In September 2025, the FASB issued guidance that modernizes the accounting for internal-use software costs by removing all references to project development stages. Under this guidance, eligible software development costs begin capitalization once management has authorized and committed to funding the project and it is probable the project will be completed and used to perform the function intended. This guidance is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2027, and can be applied on a prospective, retrospective or modified basis, with early adoption permitted. We have not yet determined the impact the adoption of this guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements. In December 2025, the FASB issued guidance that improves the navigability of interim reporting guidance and clarifies when it applies. Under this guidance, entities must disclose events since the end of the last annual reporting period that have a material impact on the entity. This guidance is not intended to change the fundamental nature of interim reporting or expand or reduce current interim disclosure requirements. This guidance is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2027, and can be applied on a prospective or retrospective basis, with early adoption permitted. We have not yet determined the impact the adoption of this guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements.
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| Fair Value Measurements | We apply fair value measurements on a recurring and, as otherwise required, on a nonrecurring basis. Accounting standards define fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The standards also establish a fair value hierarchy, which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. There are three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value: •Level 1 — Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. •Level 2 — Assets and liabilities valued based on observable market data for similar instruments, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities. •Level 3 — Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity; instruments valued based on the best available data, some of which is internally developed, and considers risk premiums that a market participant would require. We apply the following methods and assumptions in estimating our fair value measurements: Cash equivalents — The fair value measurement of money market funds is based on quoted market prices in active markets (Level 1). The fair value measurement of other cash equivalents is based on observable market-based inputs principally derived from or corroborated by observable market data (Level 2). Short-term investments — The fair value measurement of our short-term investments is based on observable market-based inputs or inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means (Level 2). Restricted cash — The carrying value of restricted cash approximates fair value due to the short period of time that amounts are held in escrow (Level 1). Mortgage loans held for sale — The fair value of mortgage loans held for sale is generally calculated by reference to quoted prices in secondary markets for commitments to sell mortgage loans with similar characteristics (Level 2). Forward contracts — The fair value of mandatory loan sales commitments and derivative instruments such as forward sales of MBSs that are utilized as economic hedging instruments is calculated by reference to quoted prices for similar assets (Level 2). Contingent consideration — In December 2023, Zillow Group acquired Follow Up Boss for $399 million in cash, net of cash acquired, and contingent consideration of up to $100 million, payable over a three-year period upon achievement of certain performance metrics. During the year ended December 31, 2025, we paid $33 million in cash to settle the first earn out payment, most of which represented settlement of the acquisition date fair value. The fair value of the contingent consideration is estimated using a Monte Carlo simulation which considers the probabilities of the achievement of certain performance metrics (Level 3). The discount rates used in our valuation of contingent consideration are based on our estimated cost of debt and are directly related to the fair value of contingent consideration. An increase in the discount rate, in isolation, would result in a decrease in the fair value measurement. Conversely, a decrease in the discount rate, in isolation, would result in an increase in the fair value measurement. The probabilities of achieving the relevant performance metrics used in our valuation of contingent consideration are directly related to the fair value of contingent consideration, as an increase in the probability, in isolation, would result in an increase in the fair value measurement. Conversely, a decrease in the probability, in isolation, would result in a decrease in the fair value measurement. The following table presents the ranges and weighted average unobservable inputs used in determining the fair value of contingent consideration as of the dates presented:
IRLCs — The fair value of IRLCs is calculated by reference to quoted prices in secondary markets for commitments to sell mortgage loans with similar characteristics. Expired commitments are excluded from the fair value measurement. Since not all IRLCs will become closed loans, we adjust our fair value measurements for the estimated amount of IRLCs that will not close. This adjustment is effected through the pull-through rate, which represents the probability that an IRLC will ultimately result in a closed loan. For IRLCs that are canceled or expire, any recorded gain or loss is reversed at the end of the commitment period (Level 3). The pull-through rate is based on estimated changes in market conditions, loan stage and historical borrower behavior. Pull-through rates are directly related to the fair value of IRLCs as an increase in the pull-through rate, in isolation, would result in an increase in the fair value measurement. Conversely, a decrease in the pull-through rate, in isolation, would result in a decrease in the fair value measurement. Changes in the fair value of IRLCs are included within revenue in our consolidated statements of operations.
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