Indeed vs LinkedIn, Glassdoor, ZipRecruiter, Monster, and Top Job Sites

This comprehensive guide compares Indeed to the top job sites across key metrics to determine the best platforms for job seekers and employers.

Overview of Top Job Websites

First, let’s briefly examine the focus of each major site:

Indeed – a massive job search aggregator

LinkedIn – Largest professional network

Glassdoor – company reviews + salary data

ZipRecruiter – AI-driven job matching

Monster – Pioneer job board now declining

While overlap exists, each site targets specific specialties for candidates and recruiters.

We’ll thoroughly compare strengths, weaknesses, audiences, and best use cases.

Also Read – Crack the LinkedIn Code: Mastering the Art of the Cold Message

Indeed vs LinkedIn

Indeed and LinkedIn represent the two largest players specifically focused on connecting talent with opportunities. Let’s examine how they compare:

Indeed vs LinkedIn for Job Seekers

For job hunters, both provide advantages:

Indeed simplifies search via huge volumes of aggregated listings, powerful tools, and customizable alerts. Highly efficient discovery and application at scale.

LinkedIn enables relationship-building through networking. Great for getting warm referrals, tapping into hidden opportunities, and increasing talent visibility with recruiters.

It’s optimal to use Indeed’s breadth for active hunting + cultivate your personal brand on LinkedIn for passive inbound opportunities through trusted connections.

Indeed vs LinkedIn for Employers

Similarly for recruiters, a joint strategy works best:

Indeed delivers broad visibility to candidates via sponsored jobs. The pay-per-click model provides applicant access cost-efficiently.

LinkedIn allows specialized talent sourcing based on any criteria. Build tailored pipelines and engage directly with warmer prospects.

Together, they enable full funnel talent acquisition – Indeed for volume through visibility + LinkedIn for targeted quality via selective sourcing.

See Also: Our full Indeed vs LinkedIn guide diving deeper into an integrated strategy.

Next, let’s compare Indeed to Glassdoor.

Indeed vs Glassdoor

While at face value Indeed and Glassdoor may both seem like job sites, their offerings differ substantially:

What Does Glassdoor Offer?

Unlike Indeed’s aggregation model, Glassdoor focuses specifically on:

Company reviews, ratings, CEO approval, and culture insight
Salary comparisons, pay ranges, and negotiation advice
Employer branding metrics and reputation management

So Glassdoor acts essentially like Yelp for workplaces – a database for employee-generated ratings and compensation stats.

Indeed vs Glassdoor for Job Search

Indeed makes search efficient via huge volumes of listings in one spot
Glassdoor provides additional intel to evaluate employers before applying

The best approach is leveraging Glassdoor’s company intel to filter Indeed opportunities by top-rated workplace culture, leadership, and pay.

Indeed vs Glassdoor for Employers

Indeed drives inbound applicant volume through broad visibility
Glassdoor allows monitoring and influencing employer brand perception

Again, use in tandem – Indeed to increase candidate reach and Glassdoor to actively manage external reputation.

Also Read – How to Set up your LinkedIn Profile for Success in 2024

Indeed vs ZipRecruiter

In recent years, ZipRecruiter has surged in popularity leveraging AI and machine learning for intelligent job matching. How exactly does it stack up against an aggregation leader like Indeed though?

What Does ZipRecruiter Offer?

At a high level, ZipRecruiter aims to simplify job search by:

Actively suggesting relevant opportunities to candidates
Proactively identifying best-fit candidates for employers

This reduces friction on both sides through algorithmic recommendations and personalized alerts.

Indeed vs ZipRecruiter for Job Seekers

Both provide value in different ways:

Indeed still offers a wider reach to more postings from across the web
ZipRecruiter presents a more customized, tailored set of opportunities specifically matching your background

So Indeed helps cast the widest initial net, while ZipRecruiter serves up the best fits from that wider ocean of choices.

Indeed vs ZipRecruiter for Employers

Similarly from a recruiting perspective:

Indeed drives higher raw inbound application volume
ZipRecruiter sources more qualified, aligned matches for open positions

Together they provide both quantity and quality – Indeed scale and ZipRecruiter precision.

Indeed vs Monster

Once the world’s largest job portal back in the early 2000s, Monster has declined precipitously failing to keep pace digitally. But it still retains residual niche value in certain markets.

Let’s examine how far Monster has fallen behind an innovator like Indeed:

Monster Overview

While historically dominant, Monster has struggled for relevance as online recruitment evolved:

Very narrow niche value outside the US/Canada
Design and UX feels dated compared to slick offerings
Failed to build a robust mobile experience

As a result, Monster has seen traffic plummet downward by -70% since 2013 while Indeed skyrockets by +350% during the same period.

Indeed vs Monster – The Verdict

Very minimal residual value for most job seekers or employers
Forte used to be scale, but with just 13M visitors per month vs Indeed’s 250M+, the consumer choice is obvious
Focus efforts on more modern, innovative sites with momentum behind them
Only consider Monster in select North American metro areas lacking better alternatives

In summary – Monster feels too much like a stagnant relic of the early internet days to warrant significant attention for the majority of cases. Stick with Indeed!

Top Niche & Local Job Sites

Beyond the core national players, specialized local sites and niche industry portals retain value. Let’s examine examples where they provide unique reach.

Niche Industry Job Sites

Here are some influential niche boards by sector:

Tech

Dice – IT & engineering roles
StackOverflow – Developer/coding jobs

Healthcare

Doximity – Healthcare practitioner roles
HealtheCareers – Broad healthcare industry jobs

Education

HigherEdJobs – Higher education faculty & admin roles
SchoolSpring – K12 teaching positions

And More

Manufacturing (MFGjobs)
Journalism (JournalismJobs)
Retail (Retail Jobsite)

So rather than just Indeed, incorporate vertical sites matching your specific skillsets for most targeted opportunities.

Local & Regional Sites

Similarly, local sites retain strong value in underserved metro areas lacking sufficient critical mass on Indeed alone.

For example, in the US these local sites drive meaningful traffic:

Texas – WorkInTexas
Florida – EmployFlorida
Minnesota – MinnesotaWorks
North Carolina – NCWorks

Internationally:

Canada – Workopolis, JobBank
UK – totaljobs, Jobsite
India – Naukri
Philippines – Jobstreet, Kalibrr

So supplement Indeed with the highest traffic community platforms and broadly used regional boards in key locales.

Which Job Sites Should You Prioritize?

We’ve covered a lot comparing Indeed vs LinkedIn, Glassdoor, ZipRecruiter, Monster, and other niche sites.

Let’s summarize highest value platforms:

Job Seekers

60% Indeed – A breadth of listings and powerful search make Indeed the go-to discovery engine.
20% LinkedIn – Relationship building and talent visibility advantages complement active hunting.
10% Glassdoor – Company and salary intel help evaluate opportunities.
10% Niche Sites – Specialized industry relevance.

Employers

Balancing visibility volume, selective sourcing, and branding:

50% Indeed – Core inbound candidate volume engine.
30% LinkedIn – Targeted talent pipelines.
10% Glassdoor – Monitoring external reputation.
10% Niche Sites – Specialized audience reach.

This mix allows maximizing the unique value of each major platform. Measure, track, and optimize interactions across each channel for integrated exposure.

The common thread is Indeed remains the universal hub for broad-based, high-efficiency job search and recruiting. But surround Indeed with platforms like LinkedIn, Glassdoor, and key niche sites to address specific use cases with pinpoint accuracy.

This 360-degree approach delivers the best of all worlds!

Also Read – LinkedIn Tips, Tricks, and Strategies For Career Success

The Future of Online Recruiting – Closing Thoughts

While Indeed has dominated the past 5+ years, the next era promises accelerated AI matching and automation:

LinkedIn, ZipRecruiter, and Indeed investing heavily in machine learning to predict the best matches between talent and roles. Reducing guesswork.
Chatbots and digital assistants handle more scheduling, screening, and candidate experience orchestration. Removing friction.
AR/VR technology expanding virtual interviews, onboarding, and lifecycle connectivity. Personalizing engagement.

The convergence of intelligent algorithms, automation, and immersive interfaces points to a more seamless, emotionally intelligent recruiting experience for all parties. Exciting times ahead!

FAQs – Comparing Job Sites

The optimal approach is integrating Indeed and LinkedIn together for job search and recruiting, rather than choosing one or the other.

Here is how they work best together:

Indeed provides wide reach across most job postings, efficient discovery tools, and customizable alerts

LinkedIn enables professional networking and relationship building to unlock warm referrals, insider opportunities, and increased talent visibility

Indeed and Glassdoor serve distinct needs:

Indeed aggregates millions of jobs in one place for efficient high-volume search
Glassdoor provides insider employer intel including ratings, reviews, salary ranges, and workplace culture perspective
Rather than actual job listings, Glassdoor is essentially the Yelp for workplaces.

The best way to use them in tandem is by leveraging Glassdoor company data to filter and prioritize Indeed opportunities by best-rated workplaces aligned to your preferences.

Both Indeed and ZipRecruiter add value, just in different ways:

Indeed still provides wider exposure through the sheer volume of aggregated postings

But ZipRecruiter actively suggests a smaller set of opportunities algorithmically matched to your specific background

Think of Indeed to cast the widest initial net, with ZipRecruiter serving up the best fits from within that wider ocean of possibilities, tailored just for you.