Welcome to The Data Advocate (TDA)
The Data Advocate is an independent educational resource focused on real estate data, MLS systems, market transparency, technology, governance, and industry change.
If you’re new to TDA, here are the easiest ways to get started.
Explore the Main Menu
Each major section of TDA contains an About page that serves as an introduction to that topic area.
When you hover over a Main Menu category—such as Industry Crossroads, MLS, or Library—you will see an orange dropdown menu.
Select the About link to access a welcome page that explains the purpose of that section, highlights key themes, and provides links to related topics and subcategories.
Examples include:
- Industry Crossroads — Current issues, trends, and industry analysis
- MLS — Governance, litigation, cooperation, and international MLS developments
- Library — Educational series, research projects, and reference materials
Visit the Research Library
The Research Library contains TDA’s educational series and long-form research projects.
Current series include:
- Under All Is The Data
- Who Gets the Listing Data?
- The Language of Data
Additional series and research projects will be added over time.
Browse by Topic
Looking for information on a specific subject?
Use the Tag Cloud located on the right side of many pages to explore content organized by topic.
Tags connect related articles, editorials, timelines, and research materials across the site.
Use Search
The Search feature is often the fastest way to locate articles, topics, organizations, lawsuits, technologies, or industry issues discussed throughout TDA.
Not Sure Where to Begin?
If you’re interested in current industry developments:
→ Visit Industry Crossroads
If you’re looking for educational content and research:
→ Visit Research Library
If you’re researching MLS issues, governance, litigation, or international developments:
→ Visit MLS
We hope this guide helps you navigate TDA and discover the content most relevant to your interests.