CREA DDF Integration for WordPress: How It Works
A step-by-step look at getting CREA DDF listings onto a WordPress site: the approval process, plugin setup, data refresh, image handling and the mistakes that get feeds revoked.
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What DDF is and is not
DDF is CREA's opt-in feed of listings that participating brokers have agreed to share. It is national but not complete: brokers can opt out, and some boards have fuller local feeds. It provides listing data and images under a licence with display rules, including attribution and refresh requirements.
Getting approved
- Confirm you are a CREA member in good standing.
- Apply for a DDF data feed through CREA's technology portal, naming your website and technology provider.
- Accept the licence terms, including display rules.
- Receive credentials, which your plugin or provider uses to pull data.
Approval typically takes days to a couple of weeks.
Setup on WordPress
- Install a DDF-capable plugin or connect a provider that supports DDF.
- Enter credentials and configure the import: which listings, how often, and how images are stored.
- Map fields to your listing template and enable schema markup.
- Set canonical tags and noindex rules for expired listings.
- Schedule refreshes at least as often as the licence requires.
Pitfalls that get feeds revoked
- Missing or incorrect brokerage attribution on listings.
- Showing listings after they have been removed from the feed.
- Altering listing data or images beyond what the licence allows.
- Using the feed on a site other than the one approved.
- Letting the refresh schedule lapse.
Frequently asked questions
Is DDF free?
Access through CREA is included for members, but plugins, providers and hosting for images are not.
How often does DDF update?
Feeds are pulled on a schedule you configure, and the licence sets a minimum refresh frequency. Daily is common, more often is better.
Can I show DDF listings on a page builder site?
Yes, if the plugin renders native pages. Framed displays are also possible but weaker for SEO.
What if my board has its own feed?
Use the board feed for local completeness and DDF for national coverage, or whichever your provider supports best.
About the author
Founder, Accountant & Project Manager, Four Cents
Hamza Hai is a founder of Four Cents and its accountant and project manager. She keeps projects on track and the numbers clear.
She manages timelines, scope and client communication, so there are no surprises for clients along the way.
She writes the guides on WPDeveloper.ca, including its WordPress planning guides. They draw on the quoting and scoping work she does for Four Cents clients every week.
Areas of expertise
- Software and app project management
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All articles by Hamza Hai (128 on Four Cents WordPress Studio)
Reviewed by Zee, Founder & Lead Developer, Four Cents
Zee leads every Four Cents build as the senior full-stack engineer, from the first call to launch and beyond, and technically reviews the articles on this site.
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