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Free vs Sponsored Jobs on Indeed

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When posting a job on Indeed, you’ll have the option to post for free* or sponsor (pay to post) your job to get better visibility, attract more of the right candidates and unlock other useful recruitment tools.

But which one is right for your company and the roles you’re looking to fill? This post breaks down the differences between free job postings and Sponsored Jobs on Indeed to help you decide.

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Quick intro: Free vs Sponsored Jobs

There are two types of job postings on Indeed: free and paid job postings (also known as Sponsored Jobs).

Both of these job listings appear on Indeed in relevant jobseeker search results, and candidates can apply on nearly any device. With both free and Sponsored Jobs, you’ll also get access to your Employer Dashboard, where you can easily manage jobs and candidates all in one place.

So what’s the difference between free job posts and Sponsored Jobs on Indeed? Free job postings fall back in jobseeker search results as new jobs are posted. Since 15 jobs are added per second on Indeed, free job postings can lose visibility quickly. Free job posts on Indeed are also automatically paused after 30 days, compared with a paid post that stays live until you choose to pause it.

Sponsored postings, on the other hand, appear more often and for longer in search results than non-sponsored jobs and don’t need to be reposted. This makes it more likely that your jobs will be seen by the candidates you’re looking for. In fact, Sponsored Jobs have 3.1 times as many impressions per day as non-sponsored jobs.[1] Sponsored Jobs also come with other exclusive recruitment tools and benefits that can help you attract the right candidates faster.

What is a free job posting?

Most jobs can be posted for free on Indeed. When you post a free job, it will appear in relevant search results but will lose visibility over time. A free job posting can be a great option to start out with, since it comes with recruitment tools like:

How to post a job for free on Indeed

To post a job for free on Indeed, sign up for an Indeed employer account and click the ‘Post a Job’ button, or ​​click here. Add important information to your job posting, like job title, location and a detailed job description. If you need help writing a great job description check out our job description guide.

When you’re done creating your job posting, click ‘Confirm’ and your free job will be posted. Afterward, you’ll have the option to sponsor your job, which you can skip.

Check out How to post a job on Indeed: employer guide for more details.

What is a Sponsored Job?

A Sponsored Job is a paid job posting. Sponsoring your job makes it appear more often in jobseeker search results than a free listing. This can make a significant impact on hiring.

A Sponsored Job includes everything a free post comes with, plus other advanced hiring tools and benefits that can help you compete for great talent. With a Sponsored Job, you’ll also get:

  • Better job post visibility: Sponsored Jobs have more staying power in jobseeker search results than non-sponsored jobs. That means you’re more likely to receive the applicants you’re looking for. Indeed data shows that Sponsored Jobs deliver 60% more applicants on average than non-sponsored jobs.[3]
  • Pay for performance: Reach the right candidates faster when you sponsor your job on Indeed. Increase your visibility in search results, and place your posts in front of active jobseekers. Learn more about pricing on Indeed.

How to post a Sponsored Job on Indeed

To sponsor your job, post a job directly on Indeed or from your career site or ATS. After adding your job description and other job details, we’ll show you the cost for your specific job title and location. We’ll help you decide which jobs to promote and how to budget. Post your job to get started.

You can also upgrade any of your free job posts to a Sponsored Job at any time from your Employer Dashboard. Just click ‘Sponsor job’ on the right-hand side of the job you want to sponsor.

Should you post for free or sponsor your job?

Here are a few questions to ask yourself when deciding whether or not to sponsor a job:

  • How quickly do you need to hire people? If you need someone fast, you may need the optimal visibility a Sponsored Job provides. You can also use the urgently needed label to show jobseekers you’re actively recruiting people. This label will only appear on your job card when you sponsor.
  • How many people do you want to hire for the job opening? The more openings you have, the more applications you’ll likely need.
  • Is it a hard-to-fill position? Roles that require specialised skills (e.g. nurses, software engineers, managers) can benefit from the added visibility that comes with a Sponsored Job.
  • Are you looking to hire people in a competitive market? If you live in an area with a smaller pool of candidates or if there are a large number of companies in your area vying for that talent, sponsoring your job posting can help you stand out.
  • Do you already have a good job description and job title? If your free job posting isn’t bringing in the right candidates, try optimising your job description. Find out exactly what jobseekers are looking for in a job description or read this article on improving your job descriptions. If you’re still not receiving the right applications, try sponsoring your job to get it in front of your ideal candidates.

Free vs Sponsored Jobs FAQs

How much does it cost to sponsor a job on Indeed?

The cost to sponsor a job depends on your specific recruitment needs. We take into account the local market conditions in your area, as well as the job title and location for your job post to determine pricing. You’ll always see the price upfront before sponsoring and can easily adjust the timeframe by setting a daily or monthly budget to meet your needs.

Take a look at our article Indeed Pricing: job posting costs for more information.

Can sponsoring a job improve time-to-hire?

Yes. Indeed data show that Sponsored Jobs are 2.6 times faster to hiring their first candidate than non-sponsored jobs.[4]

How many jobs can you post for free on Indeed?

There is no exact limit to the number of free jobs you’re allowed to post on Indeed unless it’s determined that you’re using your account incorrectly.

What jobs can you not post for free?

Indeed may require certain jobs to be sponsored in order to verify the legitimacy of the job and/or the employer, to prevent abuse of the free-to-post system, to improve our services or for any other reason at Indeed’s sole discretion.

For example, sponsorship may be required for the following types of jobs: identical jobs posted in multiple locations, jobs posted with a confidential or generic company name, jobs that are commission-only, hard-to-fill jobs, or jobs posted by a temp agency, recruitment process outsourcer, or other recruitment-based company.

See Indeed’s terms and conditions for more information.

  • 1. Citation: Indeed data, based on average (UK), Q2 2023
  • 2. Indeed data (CA, FR, UK, US)
  • 3. Indeed data (UK), March – May 2023
  • 4. Indeed data, based on median (UK), Q2 2023

 

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Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.