At the end of the day, the goal of hiring is simple: helping the right people connect with the right jobs.

That may sound obvious, but as hiring continues to evolve, it is becoming increasingly important to focus on the outcomes that matter most and not just activity along the way.

New third-party data from 2022–2026 shows that across industries and regions, Indeed is the leading source of hires for employersiCIMS. Based on aggregate hiring data from the iCIMS ATS platform.

In the first quarter of 2026, employers in a leading applicant tracking system saw nearly 59% of their applicant volume come from Indeed, and more than 75% of their actual hires. Other job platforms, by comparison, generated over 41% of applications but only 25% of final hires. In fact, Indeed was the only major platform in the analysis where share of hires exceeded share of applications.

Chart showing source of applications and hires, with Indeed driving nearly 59% of applicant volume, and more than 75% of employers' actual hires (source: iCIMS)

As someone who spends my days focused on how to help employers cut through noise and connect with quality candidates faster, I think this reflects an important shift happening in hiring right now. Success is becoming less about generating the highest volume of applications and more about helping employers connect with candidates who are actually likely to get hired.

Helping employers find the right fit

For many employers, the challenge today is not simply reaching candidates, it is identifying the right candidates for the role quickly. That is where Indeed’s two-sided marketplace and AI-powered hiring tools make a difference.

Every minute, 31 people get hired on Indeed. And what makes that possible is the combination of scale, matching, and the data signals we see across the hiring journey.

We are continuously investing in products and features that help improve matching and reduce friction for both employers and job seekers. By learning from what ultimately leads to a hire, we can help employers focus their time on candidates who are more likely to be a fit while helping job seekers discover opportunities aligned with their skills and preferences.

Our product teams remain focused on reducing friction in the hiring process overall. Our goal is to help employers spend less time managing volume and more time engaging the right candidates.

Looking ahead

As AI accelerates the pace of hiring, I believe the platforms that matter most will be the ones that help employers move beyond raw application volume and toward better hiring outcomes.

At Indeed, we are building toward that future by empowering employers to hire faster and more confidently, while opening doors for more people to get jobs. The results we see today are only the beginning of what this next generation of hiring will deliver.