Why Is Indeed Collecting Demographic Data From Job Seekers?
These FAQs explain demographic data, why Indeed or employers might collect it, and how it's used.
Indeed collects demographic data through an optional survey. This data is confidential. Not sharing it will not result in adverse treatment from Indeed.Â
Some employers also ask applicants to provide demographic data. You may get these voluntary self-identification questions when applying for jobs on Indeed. When answering these employer-asked questions, you may be able to share your answers with Indeed or save them to help pre-fill future applications. Declining to share this information with Indeed won't result in adverse treatment.
Employers that ask for demographic data may be allowed or required to do so under US federal law. When they use Indeed functionality to ask about disability status, they state that they are federal contractors or subcontractors. These employers must collect this information from job applicants to comply with the Department of Labor's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs ("OFCCP") requirements.
About demographic data
What is demographic data, and what types of data does Indeed collect?
Demographics represent the various characteristics of a group of people. These can include age, race, and disability status.
Indeed's demographic survey
Many types of demographic data exist. However, Indeed seeks to collect only a limited set from job seekers who choose to share it. US-based job seekers can share data across six categories. You can choose which ones to share:Â
- Age (birth year)
- Race and ethnicity
- Gender
- Disability status
- LGBTQIA+ community membership
- Arrest or conviction history
Employer-asked self-identification questions
You may also share your answers to employer-asked self-identification questions with Indeed. This can help pre-fill applications or support other uses described below.
You can revoke your consent to share these answers at any time as described below.
Does the demographic data include my address, Social Security number, phone number, or email address?
No. You must have a profile on Indeed to submit your demographic data. However, Indeed doesn't collect your address, Social Security number, phone number, or email as part of the job seeker demographic data survey.
You may also share your answers to employer-asked self-identification questions with Indeed. This can help pre-fill applications or support other uses described below.
You can revoke your consent to share these answers at any time as described below.
Why is Indeed collecting this data?
We want to ensure our products help everyone get jobs fairly. If our products aren't serving certain user groups, we need to know so we can make improvements.
How will the demographic data that I share with Indeed be used?
Depending on your consent settings, Indeed may use your data to:
- Improve our products and better understand job seekers
- Check fairness across our tools
- For example, our AI Ethics team is building tools, systems, and processes that advance responsible and inclusive technology.
- Support employers with their inclusive hiring efforts. Don't worry, your data will stay confidential.
- Share aggregated data, such as application trends. This data doesn't identify you.
- Simplify applying by pre-filling future applications
- Always check these pre-filled answers before submitting your application.
Indeed is committed to your privacy
We won't:
- Share your individual demographic data with employers without your permission
- Show the demographic data you share with us through the survey on your profile or resume
I don't want to share my demographic data. Can I still use Indeed?
Yes. Sharing your demographic data is optional. You can still use Indeed without sharing it, and you control what you share.
Refusal to share this information won't result in adverse treatment from Indeed. We hope, however, that you'll consider sharing to help us improve our offerings.
Where does Indeed collect demographic data from job seekers?
We currently collect demographic data from job seekers in the US, UK, Ireland, and France. We may expand to more countries.
Why am I getting demographic data promos?
Indeed collects data from a wide range of job seekers to make hiring fair for all. These promos appear on different parts of the site. They may be personalized based on your site activity.
Employers and demographic data
Can employers access my personal demographic data from Indeed's demographic survey?
No. Indeed is committed to our job seekers' privacy:
- We don't share your demographic survey data, the six categories listed above, with employers.
- We won't show your demographic survey data on your profile or resume.
- Indeed may share a summary of aggregated group data with employers upon request. For example:
- 45% of applicants identify as male
- 10% of hired applicants identified as Hispanic
- Employers can't access your individual data responses without your permission.
- You can read more in Indeed's Privacy Policy.
Will my demographic data be used to review my job application?
No. The demographic data that you share with Indeed is not part of what employers review when evaluating your application. Some employers are permitted or required by law to ask for demographic data. You may get these voluntary self-identification questions when applying for jobs. Your responses to these questions are shared with the employer. They are responsible for separating your demographic data when reviewing your job application.
Where employers request disability status through Indeed tools, they represent that they are federal contractors or subcontractors. These employers must collect this information to follow OFCCP requirements.Â
When answering these employer-asked questions, you may be about to choose to share the answers with Indeed or save them to help pre-fill future applications. Declining to share this information with Indeed will not result in adverse treatment.