When your job ad on Indeed slows down—fewer impressions, clicks, or applications—it can be frustrating. The good news? Most of the time, performance drops can be traced to just a few key factors. This guide walks you through what to look for and how to fix it so you can get back on track quickly.
1. Check Your Job Title #
Your job title plays a major role in how often your post shows up in searches. If performance dips, start here.
Ask yourself:
- Am I using a common, search-friendly title like “Real Estate Agent”?
- Am I avoiding creative or internal titles like “Rockstar Realtor” or “Dream Home Specialist”?
Keep it simple and searchable. Indeed favors titles that match what job seekers are typing in.
2. Review Your Job Description #
Once someone clicks into your ad, the description determines whether they stick around and apply.
Look for:
- Clear, concise language in the first few lines—this is what shows in preview
- A simple summary of what the role is, what you’re looking for, and how it works
- Licensing requirements (if applicable)
- A clear next step or call to action
Avoid big walls of text. Aim for short paragraphs and bullet points to keep it readable.
3. Evaluate Your Budget #
If you’re not seeing impressions or clicks, your ad might not be competitive in the current market.
Things to check:
- Are you still within your set budget?
- Has your cost-per-day limited delivery too much?
- Is your budget aligned with the job’s demand in your area?
Sometimes a small budget bump can make a big difference in visibility—especially in competitive metros.
4. Optimize Location Targeting #
Where your job is listed matters just as much as what it says.
Make sure:
- Your ad is targeting the right area—where your ideal candidates actually live or work
- You’re not overly broad. For better performance, try posting separate ads in nearby zip codes instead of one catch-all post
5. Understand the Learning Phase #
New or updated ads go through a short learning phase, typically 24–48 hours, where performance may fluctuate.
If you’ve just launched or made significant changes, give the system a little time to stabilize before making additional edits. Frequent updates during this window can actually slow things down more.
6. Analyze Your Metrics #
If things still seem off, take a look at your actual performance data.
Ask:
- Is my click-through rate (CTR) dropping below 1%? If so, tweak your title or description.
- Am I getting lots of clicks but few applications? The expectations in your ad might not match what candidates want—or what they assume the job entails.
When in doubt, test a new version of your ad to see how it compares.
7. Try Reposting or Refreshing the Ad #
Sometimes older ads lose momentum—even if nothing has changed. If you’re seeing a slow down after a couple of weeks:
- Duplicate and repost the job with a fresh title or updated first line
- This can trigger Indeed’s algorithm to reindex your ad and boost visibility
8. Consider Seasonal Trends #
Not all slowdowns are ad-related. Certain times of year naturally bring less engagement—think holidays, back-to-school seasons, or market-wide slowdowns.
Compare performance to the same period last year or talk with other team leaders to spot broader trends.
Related Resources #
👉 Sample Indeed Job Description
👉 Running Ads on Indeed
