Indeed and Glassdoor, both owned by Japan-based Recruit Holdings Co., are laying off around 1,300 employees.

This decision is part of a plan to integrate operations and increase focus on AI.

The layoffs will mainly affect workers in the United States, especially in research and development, as well as in the people and sustainability teams.

This information comes from a memo issued by Recruit Holdings CEO Hisayuki “Deko” Idekoba, who noted the importance of AI in adapting business strategies.

According to the memo, Glassdoor’s operations will merge with Indeed to streamline hiring processes for job seekers and employers.

Glassdoor CEO Christian Sutherland-Wong will leave the company on October 1, 2025 after a decade in his role.

🔗 Source: Bloomberg

🧠 Food for thought

1️⃣ AI-driven job platforms are themselves eliminating jobs

Indeed and Glassdoor’s layoffs highlight a significant irony: companies that help people find jobs are themselves cutting positions due to AI advancement.

These 1,300 job cuts represent approximately 6% of their workforce and follow Indeed’s previous reductions of 1,000 jobs (8%) in 2023 and 2,200 positions (15%) the year before that 1.

This trend extends beyond job boards to many industries where AI is reshaping work. Klarna has reduced its headcount by 40%, citing AI investments as a factor 2.

The trend demonstrates how AI’s impact on employment is affecting even the companies designed to connect employers with job seekers, creating a feedback loop where AI-powered efficiencies reduce the workforce needed to help others find work.

For context, over 5,700 companies announced layoffs in 2024, with 827 more following in early 2025, showing this is part of a broader economic shift 3.

2️⃣ Recruitment industry experiencing profound AI transformation

The Indeed/Glassdoor restructuring reflects the rapid evolution of AI-powered hiring technologies that are fundamentally changing how recruitment works.