Indeed review

How it works

You can search and browse without an account. To save jobs, set alerts or apply with one click, you create a free profile with your email and a resume. Some listings send you to the employer's own application page, while others use Indeed's apply form. Applications are sent to the employer, and Indeed reports on your status in your account. Job seekers do not pay Indeed to search or apply. Employers pay for sponsored placements and access to candidates.

Pros and cons

Who it is for

Indeed suits almost anyone looking for work in the US, from first jobs to professional roles, especially if you want to compare many employers quickly. People in niche fields may find smaller specialist boards more targeted. If you need federal jobs, use USAJOBS, and if you only want remote roles, a remote-only board will filter out more noise.

How the search works in practice

Indeed's search box accepts a job title and a location, and you can add filters to narrow the results. The most useful filters are date posted, pay range, remote or hybrid work, and experience level. Sorting by date helps you see fresh postings first, which matters because older listings are often already filled.

Read the job description carefully before you click apply. Many postings are copied from the same template, so a few details such as the employer name, the location and the salary range are the best way to tell whether a listing is specific and current. If a company name is missing or the location is vague, treat the posting with caution. For a broader method, see how to search job boards effectively.

Pricing and what job seekers pay

Searching, saving jobs and applying on Indeed is free for job seekers. Indeed earns its revenue mainly from employers, who pay for sponsored job placements and for access to resume search tools. Those paid placements can make a listing appear higher in results, so a top result is not necessarily the best match.

Be careful with any site or message that asks you to pay a fee to unlock an Indeed job or to get hired through Indeed. The platform itself does not charge candidates to apply. Scammers sometimes copy the Indeed name, so always apply through the official site and check the URL in your browser.

Privacy and safety

Your Indeed profile can include your resume, contact details and work history. Review the privacy settings before you make your resume searchable, because recruiters can find it. You can keep your profile private and apply to individual jobs instead.

Watch for signs of a fake recruiter. The Federal Trade Commission warns that legitimate employers do not ask job seekers to pay for equipment, training or background checks before a job starts. The FTC's guidance on job scams is a good checklist, and the how to spot job scams guide walks through the warning signs in more detail.

Alternatives worth comparing

If you want a more focused search, compare Indeed with LinkedIn Jobs, which is stronger for professional networking and recruiter outreach. ZipRecruiter and Monster also cover broad US markets, so checking two or three boards often shows different listings for the same role.

For government work, USAJOBS is the official federal board. For tech roles in specific cities, Built In is more focused.