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Is Indeed a Job Board? What It Is and How It Works

  • Writer: DM Monticello
    DM Monticello
  • Jun 5
  • 7 min read


When you're looking for a job—or trying to fill one—you've probably come across Indeed. But many people still wonder: is Indeed a job board, or something more? The answer isn’t as simple as yes or no.

In this article, we’ll break down what Indeed actually is, how it works, and whether it’s the right tool for hiring or job hunting in today’s market.



What Is Indeed?

A Quick Overview of Indeed

Indeed is one of the most popular platforms for job searching in the world. Launched in 2004, it’s used by:

  • Millions of job seekers to browse and apply for jobs

  • Thousands of employers to post openings and search for candidates

So, is Indeed a job board? Yes—but it’s also more than that. Indeed functions as both a job board and a job aggregator, which means it gathers listings from across the web in addition to hosting its own.


Job Board vs Aggregator: What’s the Difference?

  • A job board is a platform where employers manually post jobs.

  • A job aggregator automatically collects jobs from other sources like company websites, job boards, and staffing agencies.

Indeed is both:

  • Employers can post jobs directly on the site.

  • It also scrapes job listings from other websites to create a more comprehensive job search engine.


How Indeed Became a Top Job Search Platform

Indeed grew by focusing on simplicity and scale:

  • It lets users search jobs with no login required

  • It offers one-click applications

  • It aggregates listings across thousands of sources

This low-friction user experience made it a go-to platform for both candidates and recruiters. Today, it’s available in over 60 countries and supports more than 28 languages.



How Indeed Works for Job Seekers

Indeed provides a free and straightforward way for job seekers to find opportunities across industries, locations, and experience levels.


Browsing and Applying for Jobs

Users can search jobs by:

  • Title or keyword

  • Location or remote

  • Company name

  • Salary estimate

Many listings include an "Apply Now" button, allowing candidates to apply directly on the site. Others redirect to the employer’s website.

Some roles allow for "1-click apply" using your saved resume, which makes it easy to apply to multiple jobs in minutes.


Setting Up Alerts and Filters

Job seekers can:

  • Save job searches

  • Create email alerts

  • Get notified of new jobs daily or weekly

Filters allow users to refine results by experience level, job type (full-time, part-time, contract), salary range, and even company rating.

This level of personalization helps streamline the search process.


Resume Uploads and Candidate Profiles

Users can create an Indeed account to:

  • Upload and edit their resume

  • Customize a public candidate profile

  • Let employers reach out directly

Your profile can include:

  • Work history and skills

  • Certifications and education

  • Desired salary and availability

This feature is especially helpful for passive job seekers who want to stay open to new opportunities.



How Indeed Works for Employers

For businesses, Indeed offers several ways to connect with candidates—both free and paid.


Posting Jobs for Free vs Paid Listings

Employers can post jobs:

  • For free with limited visibility

  • As sponsored posts for higher reach and better placement in search results

Sponsored listings work like ads—they appear at the top of search pages and receive more views and applications.


Employer Branding and Sponsored Posts

Indeed allows companies to:

  • Build employer profiles

  • Add logos, company descriptions, and employee reviews

  • Share photos and videos of their work culture

This creates a more engaging experience for candidates and helps companies stand out in a crowded market.


Using Indeed Resume to Source Talent

Employers can also access Indeed Resume, a searchable database of over 200 million resumes. You can filter candidates by:

  • Location

  • Years of experience

  • Job title

  • Education

This allows for proactive sourcing instead of waiting for applicants to come to you.



Key Features That Make Indeed Stand Out

Indeed offers more than just job postings. Here are a few standout features that differentiate it from traditional job boards:


Aggregated Listings from Across the Web

Indeed doesn’t just rely on employer-submitted listings. It also pulls jobs from:

  • Company career pages

  • Staffing agencies

  • Other job boards

This provides a broad snapshot of available opportunities across industries and regions.


Company Reviews and Salary Comparisons

Indeed integrates tools to help job seekers make informed decisions. Users can browse:

  • Anonymous employee reviews

  • Company ratings

  • Salary reports and job trends

This transparency builds trust and encourages better matches between companies and candidates.


Skills Assessments and Interview Tools

To improve candidate matching, Indeed also offers:

  • Skills tests (typing speed, Excel, customer service, etc.)

  • Pre-screening questions

  • Virtual interviews and automated scheduling

These tools make hiring easier for employers and create a smoother application experience for candidates.



Pros and Cons of Using Indeed

Like any platform, Indeed has its strengths and limitations. Let’s break down what works—and what doesn’t—for both job seekers and employers.


Advantages for Job Seekers

  1. Wide Range of Jobs Indeed aggregates listings from multiple sources, making it easy to browse millions of jobs in one place.

  2. Free and Easy to Use No account is required to search. Resume uploads and applications are quick and intuitive.

  3. Transparency Company reviews, salaries, and job trends help users make informed decisions.

  4. Remote Job Filters With the rise of global hiring, Indeed has adapted to highlight remote and flexible roles.


Advantages for Employers

  1. Massive Reach Sponsored posts can attract hundreds of applicants in just a few days.

  2. Flexible Budgeting Employers only pay when people click on sponsored listings, which helps control costs.

  3. Resume Access Indeed Resume allows recruiters to search and filter a massive database of global talent.

  4. Pre-Screening Tools You can add custom application questions, assessments, and even conduct interviews—all within the platform.


Limitations to Be Aware Of

  1. High Competition Popular listings may receive hundreds of applications, making it difficult for candidates to stand out—and for employers to filter effectively.

  2. Paid Placement Bias Sponsored posts often rank higher than unpaid listings, which can skew search results.

  3. Inconsistent Quality Since Indeed aggregates listings, some jobs may be outdated or duplicates. Similarly, candidate quality may vary based on application volume, not fit.

  4. Limited Customization Compared to end-to-end hiring platforms, Indeed offers fewer options for custom sourcing and vetting.



How Indeed Compares to Other Job Boards

General vs Niche Boards

  • General Boards like Indeed, Monster, and ZipRecruiter focus on a broad range of roles and industries.

  • Niche Boards target specific sectors—like tech, startups, healthcare, or virtual assistance.

Niche boards often provide:

  • More tailored applicant pools

  • Better alignment with specialized job functions

  • Less competition per listing


What Makes Indeed Unique

Indeed stands out due to its:

  • Size and reach (global job coverage)

  • Built-in resume tools for candidates

  • Comprehensive employer resources

It’s a solid all-in-one platform, especially for general hiring needs. However, for highly specialized or remote-first roles, other options may be more effective.


When to Look Beyond Job Boards

If you're hiring for:

  • A high-priority role

  • A hard-to-fill niche

  • A remote or international team …then relying solely on job boards may not be enough.

You need active sourcing, screening, and support—which is where a partner like OpsArmy makes a big difference.



How to Get the Most Value Out of Indeed

Whether you're a job seeker or an employer, using Indeed effectively means going beyond the basics. Here are a few quick tips:


For Job Seekers:

  • Use specific keywords when searching. Instead of “marketing,” try “email marketing coordinator.”

  • Update your resume regularly so it's fresh in the search results.

  • Check daily and apply quickly—many roles are filled fast.

  • Complete your profile to show up in recruiter searches.


For Employers:

  • Use clear, keyword-rich job titles (“Virtual Executive Assistant” vs. “VA Needed”).

  • Include salary ranges and benefits—this increases applicant interest.

  • Test different job post headlines to see which perform better.

  • Follow up quickly with qualified applicants before they accept other offers.

While job boards like Indeed are powerful, pairing them with a sourcing partner like OpsArmy gives you a competitive edge—especially for remote, admin, or support roles.

Explore: Why Communication Is a Critical Remote Team Skill



A Smarter Alternative: Hire with OpsArmy

While Indeed is a popular tool, many companies are turning to modern talent platforms to streamline hiring—especially for remote and global roles. OpsArmy is one of those platforms.


Why Businesses Choose OpsArmy

  • Faster Hiring: Get matched with pre-vetted talent in days, not weeks.

  • Global Reach: Access skilled professionals in the Philippines, Latin America, and Eastern Europe.

  • Cost-Effective: Save up to 70% on salaries without sacrificing quality.


What Makes OpsArmy Different

Unlike a job board, OpsArmy offers:

  • Dedicated support from sourcing to onboarding

  • Pre-screened candidates matched to your job

  • Help writing job descriptions, setting KPIs, and more

You don’t post and wait—you hire smarter and faster.

Related: Why Hiring Virtual Assistants Is a Game-Changer



Frequently Asked Questions

Is Indeed free to use?

Yes, for job seekers, Indeed is completely free. Employers can post jobs for free too, but sponsored posts and resume access come at a cost.


Can I find remote jobs on Indeed?

Absolutely. Just enter “remote” in the location field or use the remote job filter. You’ll find listings across all industries and levels of experience.

See also: How to Manage a Remote Workforce Across Time Zones


How does Indeed make money?

Indeed generates revenue primarily through:

  • Sponsored job listings

  • Resume access subscriptions for employers

  • Employer branding services

These tools increase visibility and access for paying users but aren’t required for basic features.



Conclusion

So, is Indeed a job board? Yes—but it’s also more than that. It combines the power of a job board, job aggregator, and candidate database to help both employers and job seekers connect faster.

But for businesses looking to hire remote or international talent with less effort and better results, platforms like OpsArmy offer a smarter solution. Instead of sifting through hundreds of applicants, you get qualified, pre-vetted professionals ready to work.



About OpsArmy

OpsArmy helps companies hire skilled virtual assistants, executive support staff, sales development reps, and more—from around the world. We offer personalized hiring support that goes beyond traditional job boards. 



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