How Much Does Indeed Cost for Employers? A Complete Pricing Breakdown

Hiring online can be tricky—not just in finding the right candidates but also in managing costs. Indeed is one of the most widely used job platforms, offering both free and paid options for employers. But how much does Indeed cost for employers to post jobs and attract top talent?

While Indeed allows businesses to post jobs for free, visibility is limited unless you opt for paid features like sponsored job listings or subscription plans. Understanding these costs can help you determine whether Indeed fits your hiring budget.

Key Takeaways

• Free job posts are available, but they come with limited reach and fewer applicant filtering tools.
• Sponsored job listings start at $10 per application, helping businesses attract more qualified candidates.
• Subscription plans start at $120 per month, providing access to candidate databases and additional hiring tools.

How Much Does Indeed Cost for Employers?

As businesses look to hire candidates quickly, they’re increasingly leveraging online job platforms - like Indeed - to find the help they need.

These platforms connect businesses with qualified candidates. But depending on how you use it, Indeed can be completely free—or quite costly. 

This guide will explore Indeed’s free and paid job posting options, sponsored job costs, and subscription-based hiring tools.

What is Indeed and Why Do Employers Use It?

Indeed is a website for job seekers and employers. It lets job seekers search millions of listings around the world. At the same time, it allows employers to connect with millions of job seekers across industries. 

Over three million employers use the platform to find and hire new workers. Indeed offers an opportunity to connect with competent employees and make effective decisions when employing them. 

‍Indeed offers several pricing models to meet different needs. With its broad reach and flexible pricing options, Indeed is a popular choice for companies of all sizes. Having the right person to take care of a specific task is often a significant factor in the success of a business. 

Pros of Using Indeed

• Extensive Candidate Pool: Indeed has a large number of job seekers from various industries and roles in its database. Employers have the opportunity to consider a wide range of quality candidates, including those at the entry-level as well as highly experienced professionals.

• User-Friendly Job Posting: Indeed boasts a user-friendly interface for employers, facilitating easy navigation and efficient management of job postings. The straightforward process allows for quick and efficient recruitment efforts as jobs can be posted in a matter of minutes.

• Global Recruitment Reach: With a presence in over 60 countries and support for multiple languages, Indeed provides a global platform for employers seeking domestic or international talent.

• Mobile Accessibility: Indeed’s mobile app facilitates on-the-go hiring for employers, allowing them to post roles, review candidates, and make hiring decisions with a few clicks on their phone.

Drawbacks of Using Indeed

• High Competition: The popularity of Indeed can result in high competition for quality applicants, making it crucial for employers to craft compelling job listings that entice job seekers to apply.

• Volume of Applications: While posting roles on Indeed can attract a large number of applicants, sorting through those applications can be time-consuming. Effective filtering and screening mechanisms carry significant importance for employers when posting roles.

How Free Job Postings on Indeed Work

Indeed provides free listings for businesses, allowing them to post job openings on its platform without cost.

However, free job postings have limited visibility and may get buried under newer listings. To increase exposure, businesses often choose paid options. Employers can use this option to set the job's location, title, and description. Indeed's tools can also be used to screen candidates with applicant assessments and skill tests.

Using these tools ensures employers find the best applicants for open opportunities in the organization. It also ensures that job seekers are well-informed about the position they are applying for.

Sponsored Job Postings

Pay Per Application

Sponsored jobs on Indeed use a pay-per-application approach, which involves a charge when applications meeting specified job criteria are submitted and retained for more than 72 hours

Using the sponsored post model, which operates on a pay-per-application basis, offers the advantage of increased visibility for job postings, positioning in Indeed's general search results, and filtering applications to those that fulfill the job's criteria.

Pricing for this model begins at $10 per application.

Set a Budget

Setting a budget for a job posting requires businesses to pay only when candidates click to view a job post.

Setting a daily budget offers the benefits of increased job visibility and ad placement in search results within Indeed.

Pricing for this model begins at $5 per day or $150 per month.

Subscription Models 

Standard Trial

Indeed offers the ability to try Indeed Resume for free with their two-week trial. 

With the two-week free trial, businesses can:

• Access five candidate contacts
• Conduct unlimited searches
• Create and use Contact Templates
• Send email reminders to unresponsive candidates automatically
• Automate data exports with Indeed’s Recruiter Extension
• Receive In-Project candidate matches in active projects

Standard Subscription

The Standard subscription best supports businesses looking to make several hires throughout the year (1-11 new hires per year). 

The Standard subscription costs $120 per month or $1,150 per year. 

With the Standard subscription, businesses can:

• Access 30 candidate contacts per month
• Conduct unlimited searches
• Create and use Contact Templates
• Send email reminders to unresponsive candidates automatically
• Automate data exports with Indeed’s Recruiter Extension
• Receive In-Project candidate matches in active projects

Professional Subscription

The Professional subscription best supports businesses that hire constantly throughout the year (12+ hires per year).

The Professional subscription costs $300 per month or $2,880 per year.

With the Professional subscription, businesses can access everything the Standard subscription offers plus:

• Access to 100 candidate contacts per month
• Message up to 50 people at once
• Share projects with team members within the business
• Use advanced search filters
• Send text messages to candidates who have opted in
• Contact candidates via a phone call through Indeed

The Indeed costs covered above can vary based on factors such as location, industry, and competition for specific roles

Understanding the costs associated with using Indeed as a job posting platform is integral to developing a strategic and budget-conscious hiring approach. 

Whether opting for free job posting or investing in sponsored listings and resume database access, employers can tailor their Indeed experience to align with their specific hiring goals. 

Platforms like Indeed

When it comes to job posting platforms, Indeed isn’t the only choice. While 

• LinkedIn: LinkedIn connects the world’s professionals to make them more productive and successful. 

• SimplyHired: SimplyHired is a job search engine that collects job listings from all over the web, including company career pages, job boards, and niche job websites. 

• ZipRecruiter: ZipRecruiter is an online employment marketplace that connects businesses of all sizes and millions of job seekers to make hiring top talent and finding a job faster and easier.

• CareerBuilder: CareerBuilder is a global, end-to-end human capital solutions company focused on helping employers find, hire, and manage great talent.

• Monster: Monster is a global leader in connecting people and jobs through its advanced technology. 

• Snagajob: Snagajob is a marketplace for hourly jobs and shifts, connecting job seekers to right-fit employment opportunities.

• Handshake: Handshake connects up-and-coming talent from its community of over 13 million students and young alumni with over 850,000 employers.

Selecting the Right Platform for Your Business

When seeking new hires, there are several online job platforms at your disposal. But determining which platform is the best fit for your business depends on your hiring goals, budget, and your anticipated hiring volume.

As you evaluate the cost of Indeed, remember to consider the platform’s nuances and how they complement - or go against - your hiring initiatives.

Frequently Asked Questions

What factors affect the cost of Indeed for employers?

The cost varies depending on the job posting type (free, sponsored, or subscription), location, and industry.

Can I post a job for free on Indeed?

Yes, Indeed allows employers to post jobs for free, but there are limitations on visibility and applicant filtering tools.

What’s the difference between free and sponsored job postings?

• Free postings – Limited exposure, appear lower in search results
• Sponsored postings – Paid for better visibility and more applications

How much do sponsored jobs on Indeed cost?

Sponsored jobs start at $10 per application submitted and can increase based on the job's visibility and location.

How do Indeed's pricing models compare to other platforms?

Indeed’s pricing is competitive, offering both low-cost and flexible subscription models. Other platforms like ZipRecruiter and LinkedIn may have higher pricing for similar services.

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