Why is Indeed collecting demographic data from jobseekers?
These FAQs explain demographic data, why Indeed or employers might collect it and how it's used. Some information in this article is specific to the United States. If you're using Indeed in the UK, Ireland, France or Canada, some details may not apply.
Indeed collects demographic data through an optional survey. This data is confidential. Not sharing it will not result in adverse treatment from Indeed.
Some employers also ask applicants to provide demographic data. You may be asked these voluntary self-identification questions when applying for jobs on Indeed. When answering these questions from employers, you may have the option to share your responses with Indeed or save them to 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's 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 refer to the various characteristics of a group of people. These can include age, race and disability status.
Indeed's demographic survey
There are many types of demographic data. However, Indeed seeks to collect only a limited set from jobseekers who choose to share it. US-based jobseekers can share data across six categories. You can choose which ones to share:
- Age (birth year)
- Race and ethnicity
- Gender
- Disability status
- LGBTQIA+ community membership
- Criminal record
Voluntary self-identification questions asked by employers
You can also share your answers to voluntary self-identification questions asked by employers 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 jobseeker demographic data survey.
You can also share your answers to voluntary self-identification questions asked by employers 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 jobseekers
- 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 recruitment 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 your 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
- Choose to show the demographic data you share with us through the survey on your profile or CV.
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.
Declining to share this information with Indeed won't result in adverse treatment. However, we hope that you'll consider sharing to help us improve our services.
Why is Indeed collecting demographic data from jobseekers?
We currently collect demographic data from jobseekers in the US, UK, Ireland and France. We may expand to more countries.
Why am I seeing prompts about demographic data?
Indeed collects data from a wide range of jobseekers to make recruitment fair for all. These prompts appear on different parts of the site. They may be personalised 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 jobseekers' privacy:
- We don't share your demographic survey data, including the six categories listed above, with employers.
- We won't show your demographic survey data on your profile or CV.
- 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 be asked these voluntary self-identification questions when applying for jobs on Indeed. 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 indicate that they are federal contractors or subcontractors. These employers must collect this information to follow OFCCP requirements.
When answering these questions from employers, you may have the option to share your responses with Indeed or save them to pre-fill future applications. Declining to share this information with Indeed won't result in adverse treatment.