Indeed vs. LinkedIn: What’s the Difference?

Indeed vs. LinkedIn: An Overview

There are many employment websites to choose from. However, some operate differently, adding complexities to the job search.

Two of the most popular resources for job seekers are LinkedIn (LNKD) and Indeed.com. These sites offer a variety of employment opportunities; however, LinkedIn and Indeed.com are very different. LinkedIn is built as an employment-related social network, while Indeed.com is a metasearch engine for job listings.

Key Takeaways

• Indeed.com is a job board that aggregates postings from many sources, allowing users to search for specific positions.
• Indeed earns money through pay-per-click or cost per application models, and web advertising.
• LinkedIn is a social network for professionals and job seekers that offers a variety of services and makes money through premium subscriptions and enterprise solutions.

Indeed.com

Austin, Texas-based Indeed.com was founded in November 2004. It was created as a job listing board to compete with growing job boards, such as Monster.com and HotJobs. In 2010, Indeed.com overtook its competitors to become the most visited jobs website in the U.S. As of 2024 it boasted over 600 million unique visitors each month. It also lists jobs in over 60 countries and 28 languages.

A metasearch engine aggregates job postings from thousands of websites and employment firms, including company career web pages and recruiting firms. Prior to 2011, Indeed.com directed users to external job listings, but now the site allows job seekers to apply directly for jobs from within Indeed.com. Because of its ability to pull job listings from many diverse sources, the site offers a comprehensive listing of available job openings, which can be searched for by keyword, job title, industry, or level of experience. 

Indeed.com has also added services like resume storage, salary comparisons, employment-related news and trends, and user forums.

Indeed.com earns a profit using either the pay per click model or the pay per applicant system. With the pay per click model, employers pay a small fee each time a job seeker views a posting. With the pay per application model, employers pay for each applicant that meets minimum criteria. The company also earns money through advertising.

68%

The number of employers who use online jobs boards for all or most of their hiring in 2024, according to a survey by iHire.

LinkedIn

LinkedIn does have a job board as part of its suite of services, but it is first and foremost a professional- and business-related social networking site. It was founded in December 2002 and became a public company on May 11, 2011. In 2016, Microsoft acquired LinkedIn for $26.2 billion. The company served over one billion members in more than 200 countries and territories as of 2024. Prior to its acquisition, it succeeded in growing through a series of acquisitions that bolstered and expanded its core business.

In addition to a job board, LinkedIn gives users the ability to find friends and colleagues and build a social network geared towards professional networking and information sharing. Users can search for professionals outside of their network and then ask to be introduced by a common connection. The main profile page for a user is designed to appear like a resume or CV with employment history, education, skills, and professional interests prominently displayed. Forums and groups are available for networking and discussing specific topics.

LinkedIn generates revenue across four main product lines: Talent Solutions, Marketing Solutions, Sales Solutions, and Learning Solutions, in addition to collecting Premium Subscriptions. All four product lines are sold through two channels: an offline field sales force, which engages with both large and small business customers, as well as an online, self-serve channel—where it generates revenue from both enterprise customers and individual members purchasing subscriptions.

Individual users may use the website and many of its services free of charge under a basic plan but can upgrade to a premium subscription for a monthly fee. There are four premium options to choose from depending on how the user wishes to take advantage of the site: one for job seekers; one for professional networking and business promotion; one for generating sales leads and finding potential new customers; and one for employers or recruiters to post jobs and find talent.

How Do I Make My LinkedIn Profile Better?

Experts say that a strong LinkedIn profile should appear professional and highlight the unique skills and value that a candidate brings to professional employers. Use a high-quality, professional-looking headshot and use the headline statement to highlight the specific skills or areas of expertise associated with each role. In addition, you should use the featured content section to highlight your work and showcase your achievements. Finally, posting regularly can emphasize that you are thoughtful and professionally engaged with your industry.

What’s the Best Way to Improve My Resume?

Since many employers use algorithms to screen applicants, recruiters recommend using your resume to highlight keywords associated with the position. Look for keywords in the job description, or keywords specific to your industry, and use them in your resume. In addition, make sure your resume uses active language and emphasizes your achievements in each position.

What’s the Best Job Search Site?

While LinkedIn remains the most popular site for social networking, there are many other job sites to choose from, including Indeed, ZipRecruiter, CareerBuilder, and others. In addition, some industries have their own jobs boards for specific qualifications. Ultimately, an effective job search strategy will combine professional social networking with regular searches on jobs boards associated with your desired career.

The Bottom Line

Indeed and LinkedIn are both among the most popular sites for job seeking and career development. The difference is that while they both have job boards, LinkedIn is primarily a social network where professionals can post and connect with their peers and potential employers.