Free Job Posts: Indeed’s 30-Day Window and LinkedIn’s 14-Day Pause

U.S. employers considering free job postings face different clocks. Indeed’s policy allows eligible direct posts up to 30 days in search, while LinkedIn’s guide says a free job pauses after 14 days. Those limits do not promise an uninterrupted recruiting window.

These rules were checked September 25, 2026. This comparison covers jobs posted directly on Indeed and through personal LinkedIn accounts, excluding ATS feeds and enterprise Recruiter arrangements. It describes current guidance, not a newly announced policy change.

Indeed: a monthly quota and a running clock

Indeed permits up to three free U.S. direct postings per calendar month. Accounts linked under one parent company share that allowance; closing a job early does not restore a used spot. Employers with several locations should check whether another account has already used the company’s quota.

Indeed’s free-post FAQ says the 30-day clock keeps running while a job is paused. Posting requirements also matter: jobs that fail them may receive limited or no search visibility. The two policy pages do not state a numerical applicant cap; that is not an unlimited-applications guarantee.

LinkedIn: time and application limits

LinkedIn sets a limit of one active free job per member, plus an additional, unspecified limit within 30 days. A free post must be associated with the company’s LinkedIn Page. It pauses after 14 days and closes automatically after 30 days if it is not promoted.

A role-dependent application threshold, typically 10 to 30, can remove a free post from search sooner. LinkedIn’s comparison page gives conflicting descriptions of continued direct-link access after that threshold. Employers should check the posting’s actual status rather than rely on a shared link to extend applicant intake.

Plan the free recruitment window

Indeed’s longer allowed search period may suit a month-long recruitment plan, subject to eligibility and the shared quota. On LinkedIn, monitor both the 14-day deadline and application count. These published limits describe access to free distribution; they do not establish applicant quality or hiring results.