Starting October 1st 2024, Indeed will begin charging $3 for each call to its Sponsored Jobs API — something that employers, recruitment advertising agencies, and job ad platform providers were used to having free of cost. 

For some, this feels like a sudden and unwelcome shift. The initial reactions? Frustration, panic, and plenty of negative commentary…

Let’s dive deeper.

What is the Sponsored Jobs API?

The Sponsored Jobs API is an API offered by Indeed to its clients and partners, allowing them to manage their sponsored jobs campaigns directly through the API (via their own applications) instead of using the Indeed Dashboard. It provides an efficient way to control job ad campaigns and get detailed reporting on key performance metrics.

What This API Charge Means for Employers and Recruitment Advertising Agencies

With the upcoming changes, the efficiency of using the Sponsored Jobs API will become critical, as the cost of using the API is based on usage (number of API calls made). 

Job advertising providers with outdated or legacy tech will have no choice but to pass these new costs onto their customers (employers and recruitment advertising agencies).

Not Really a Tax

While some in the industry are referring to Indeed’s API charge as a “tax,” we see it differently.

Indeed is just optimizing the way their platform and APIs are used.

Over the years, Indeed’s API has become a staple for many companies, offering valuable data that drives job advertising strategy, execution, and reporting. However, the rise in inefficient and excessive API usage by some job advertising platform providers probably led to a strain on Indeed’s resources.

Why should Indeed have to carry this burden?

By introducing these charges, Indeed is encouraging companies to be more mindful of their API usage, weeding out inefficiencies, and ultimately looking to deliver better value to those who use their technology effectively.

At Joveo, we anticipated this would happen at some point.

So… Should You Be Worried?

With Indeed’s API charge, many employers and recruitment advertising agencies will see increased job ad costs.

But this does NOT have to be your reality…

We built levers in our platform to optimize the number of API calls made. Therefore, we can help you with your campaign management and reporting needs, while absorbing the additional API cost.

While others will struggle to adapt in this new scenario and are likely to pass these costs to you, that won’t happen with us.

In other words, with Joveo, you’ll be partnering with a company that’s not only prepared for these changes, but also equipped to ensure you won’t feel the impact.

A Step Forward, Not a Setback

Indeed’s move might feel like a shake-up, but it’s actually an opportunity — an opportunity for the job advertising industry to step up its game, for companies to invest in better technology, and for smarter, more efficient recruitment marketing strategies to take the lead.

As the industry adjusts to this new reality, the real question isn’t whether Indeed’s move is good or bad. It’s whether you’re ready for the change, while minimizing the disruption to your business.

With Joveo, you won’t just be ready, you’ll lead the way.

See us in action and follow us on X and LinkedIn to see how Joveo can help you get the most out of your recruitment advertising!