Best directories for employers
Where to list employers so customers can find you. We ran 3 real employer searches and counted which directories came up in the first ten results (8 did). Below: the 8 to claim first, each with a verdict and the evidence, then 7 more.
Online listing guide Measured Oct 20, 2026 (Google, US) 3 searches Thin evidence
The short read
- Most visible: Indeed Company Pages, in 1 of 3 searches, best #5. Start there.
- Directories won only 9 of 27 top-10 spots. Indeed Company Pages, Glassdoor for Employers and Built In were the only ones seen, once each.
- Paid: test Welcome to the Jungle alone, with a tracked link and a stop date. We have no lead data for any paid platform.
How we picked
Every list on this page follows the same three rules, in this order. Each card says which rule put it there.
- 1
Seen in searches. How many of the 3 searches below a directory reached the organic top 10 in, then its best position. AI Overview citations break ties.
- 2
Then fit. Built for employers, then broad company profiles, then platform-only marketplaces.
- 3
Then popularity. Tranco top-1M rank, only to break ties. No domain authority.
How much to trust it
Thin evidence3 searches and 9 directory results. Enough to see who shows up at all, not enough to separate close picks.
- It shows
- Which directories Google put in the first ten results for these 3 searches on Oct 20, 2026, and how often directories won a spot at all.
- It does not show
- Traffic, calls or sign-ups from any listing; other phrasings or dates; ChatGPT and other AI answers. A directory missing here can still matter in your market.
What the searches showed. Directories won 9 of 27 first-page spots, so the listings below are a real discovery channel for employers.
| Search | AI Overview | Directories in first ten |
|---|---|---|
| “best companies to work for” | 4 of 9 | |
| “tech companies hiring” | 2 of 9 | |
| “remote companies hiring” | 3 of 9 |
Who took the other spots: greatplacetowork.com (#1), forbes.com (#2), msu.edu (#3), libguides.com (#4), industrialmachinerydigest.com (#5) and other sites that are not directories.
Claim these first
8 picks showed up in our searches and come first.
Seen in searches for employer
Rule 1: searches appeared in, then best position
- 1Claim listing (opens Indeed Company Pages in a new tab)
Best for buyer reviews
Indeed Company Pages indeed.com
Employer profiles and reviews on the world's largest job site.
Seen in searches
In 1 of 3 searches, best #5
Weak signal: one searchSeen at indeed.com/companies
What we know
Free, paid upgrades · Claim from an Indeed employer account (owner/admin) for an unclaimed page; Indeed verifies your connection (work-email domain vs company website, social profiles, or your name on the company's team page). Verification 'usually takes 24 to 48 business hours', then a confirmation email. · Serves any country
Cost: 'Claim Your Free Company Page.' Paid upgrade: Company Page Premium via the Employer Branding Hub (bundled with Glassdoor Enhanced Profile);…
Approval: Claim from an Indeed employer account (owner/admin) for an unclaimed page; Indeed verifies your connection (work-email domain vs company we…
You need: Indeed employer account (owner or admin role); evidence of affiliation such as a company-domain work email.
Checked on indeed.com 2026-10-20.
Not established yet: link type.
Why #1: Both appeared in 1 of 3 searches and both are built for employers; Indeed Company Pages is the more visited site (Tranco #427 vs #2,848).
Note. Bot-blocked to curl (403). [HTTP 403 on 2026-10-20 curl check]
- 2Claim listing (opens Glassdoor for Employers in a new tab)
Also seen in Google
Glassdoor for Employers glassdoor.com
Employer profile with reviews that candidates and B2B buyers check.
Seen in searches
In 1 of 3 searches, best #3
Weak signal: one searchSeen at glassdoor.com/Award/Best-Places-to-Work-LST_KQ0,1…
What we know
Free, paid upgrades · Employer creates a free account and claims the existing employer profile; no review timeline stated. · Serves any country
Cost: Free plan: basic company info & mission, review requests & responses, basic employer profile analytics. Paid ('Amplify Your Message', conta…
Approval: Employer creates a free account and claims the existing employer profile; no review timeline stated.
Checked on glassdoor.com 2026-10-20.
Not established yet: link type.
Why #2: Both appeared in 1 of 3 searches and both are built for employers; Glassdoor for Employers is the more visited site (Tranco #2,848 vs #11,050).
- 3Claim listing (opens Built In in a new tab)
Also seen in Google
Built In builtin.com
Tech-employer company profiles and jobs on a large US tech-careers site.
Seen in searches
In 1 of 3 searches, best #9
Weak signal: one searchSeen at builtin.com/awards/colorado/current/best-places…
What we know
Free, paid upgrades · Nofollow link · Self-serve employer account sign-up (email one-time link or Google); ATS integration via request form. No review timeline stated. · Serves US
Cost: Job Slots page lists: Job Post (post a job, basic company profile; price not shown), ATS Integration 'Free / No additional cost' (auto cros…
Approval: Self-serve employer account sign-up (email one-time link or Google); ATS integration via request form. No review timeline stated.
Checked on builtin.com 2026-10-20, link type included.
Why #3: Both appeared in 1 of 3 searches; Built In is built for employers, Behance is not confirmed to list employers.
- 4Claim listing (opens Behance in a new tab)
Also seen in Google
Behance behance.net
Adobe's portfolio network; profiles are searchable by clients and recruiters.
Seen in searches
In 1 of 3 searches, best #1
Weak signal: one searchSeen at behance.net/hire/graphic-designers/united-state…
What we know
Free, paid upgrades · Nofollow link · Self-serve: create a profile (Adobe account) and publish projects; no listing review described. · Serves any country
Cost: Free plan: publish projects, offer services, sell assets; transactions on Behance carry 15-30% platform fees. Behance Pro US$9.99/mo (7-day…
Approval: Self-serve: create a profile (Adobe account) and publish projects; no listing review described.
Checked on behance.net 2026-10-20, link type included.
Why #4: Both appeared in 1 of 3 searches and both are not confirmed to list employers; Behance is the more visited site (Tranco #524 vs #2,480).
Check eligibility. Google showed it for these searches, but our census files Behance under other business types. Confirm its claim page accepts employers.
Note. Bot-blocked to curl (403). [HTTP 403 on 2026-10-20 curl check]
- 5Open site (opens Upwork Agencies in a new tab)
Also seen in Google
Upwork Agencies upwork.com
Agency profiles on the largest freelance marketplace (800k clients claimed).
Seen in searches
In 1 of 3 searches, best #4
Weak signal: one searchSeen at upwork.com/hire/graphic-designers/us/new-york-…
What we know
Application or credential check · Serves any country
Approval: described as curated marketplace of vetted agencies
Checked on upwork.com 2026-10-20.
Not established yet: cost, link type and claim page.
Why #5: Both appeared in 1 of 3 searches and both are not confirmed to list employers; Upwork Agencies is the more visited site (Tranco #2,480 vs #16,569).
Check eligibility. Google showed it for these searches, but our census files Upwork Agencies under other business types. Confirm its claim page accepts employers.
- 6Claim listing (opens Thomasnet in a new tab)
Also seen in Google
Thomasnet thomasnet.com
Leading North American industrial sourcing platform (2.2M+ registered buyers claimed); free claimed profile.
Seen in searches
In 1 of 3 searches, best #2
Weak signal: one searchSeen at thomasnet.com/suppliers
What we know
Free, paid upgrades · Nofollow link · Self-serve claim with email verification: select company, Thomas sends a verification code to a company email address; if you lack access to those emails you fill out a form to verify employment. New (unlisted) companies submit a form and are told the team will follow up (no timeframe stated). Edits needing content-team review (name, key personnel, categories) go live the following Monday. · Serves CA, US
Cost: Claimed company profile is free (FAQ: 'Is a Company Profile on Thomasnet.com Free? Yes!'), with limited core categories and basic positioni…
Approval: Self-serve claim with email verification: select company, Thomas sends a verification code to a company email address; if you lack access t…
You need: Access to a business email address at the company (or employment verification form); company name, logo and location to…
Checked on thomasnet.com 2026-10-20, link type included.
Why #6: Both appeared in 1 of 3 searches and both are not confirmed to list employers; Thomasnet is the more visited site (Tranco #16,569 vs #38,023).
Check eligibility. Google showed it for these searches, but our census files Thomasnet under other business types. Confirm its claim page accepts employers.
- 7Claim listing (opens Guru in a new tab)
Also seen in Google
Guru guru.com
Long-running freelance marketplace with searchable profiles.
Seen in searches
In 1 of 3 searches, best #3
Weak signal: one searchSeen at guru.com/m/hire/freelancers/graphic-designers/
What we know
Free, paid upgrades · Unknown: guru.com is behind an Incapsula bot challenge; membership/pricing pages could not be read. · Serves any country
Approval: Unknown: guru.com is behind an Incapsula bot challenge; membership/pricing pages could not be read.
Checked on guru.com 2026-10-20.
Not established yet: link type.
Why #7: Both appeared in 1 of 3 searches and both are not confirmed to list employers; Guru is the more visited site (Tranco #38,023 vs #57,872).
Check eligibility. Google showed it for these searches, but our census files Guru under other business types. Confirm its claim page accepts employers.
Note. Bot-blocked to curl (403). [HTTP 403 on 2026-10-20 curl check]
- 8Claim listing (opens IQS Directory in a new tab)
Also seen in Google
IQS Directory iqsdirectory.com
Industrial OEM manufacturer and supplier directory organised by product category.
Seen in searches
In 1 of 3 searches, best #1
Weak signal: one searchSeen at iqsdirectory.com
What we know
Paid · Nofollow link · Sales-led: request info via the "Advertise Your Company" contact form; no self-serve listing, timing not stated. · Serves US
Cost: Advertisers pay a "flat annual fee" for directory listings/SEO (About Us); services on the contact form: Premium Placement Advertising, SEO…
Approval: Sales-led: request info via the "Advertise Your Company" contact form; no self-serve listing, timing not stated.
You need: Company description (~40 words) and contact info on the inquiry form.
Checked on iqsdirectory.com 2026-10-20, link type included.
Why #8: Ranked below Guru. Both appeared in 1 of 3 searches and both are not confirmed to list employers; Guru is the more visited site (Tranco #38,023 vs #57,872).
Check eligibility. Google showed it for these searches, but our census files IQS Directory under other business types. Confirm its claim page accepts employers.
Paid platforms worth testing
Listed as paid in our census. We have no lead or traffic numbers for them, so test one at a time with a tracked link, set a stop date, and keep only what pays back.
- 1 Welcome to the Jungle welcometothejungle.comOpen Welcome to the Jungle listing page in a new tab
Employer-brand company pages widely used by European startups.
Best for: Buyer reviews
Serves: Unknown
Paid
Software review and comparison sites
2 software review and comparison sites that accept employers, ranked by audience fit and then site popularity (Tranco).
- 1 Open kununu listing page in a new tab
Best for: Buyer reviews
Serves: AT, CH, DE
Free, paid upgrades
- 2 Open Comparably listing page in a new tab
Best for: Buyer reviews
Serves: US
Free, paid upgrades
Communities and consumer platforms
2 communities and consumer platforms that accept employers, ranked by audience fit and then site popularity (Tranco).
- 1 Open Trade Me listing page in a new tab
Best for: Employers only
Serves: NZ
Free, paid upgrades
- 2 Open Web3.career site in a new tab
Best for: Employers and related
Serves: Any country
Not established yet
B2B and agency directories
2 b2b and agency directories that accept employers, ranked by audience fit and then site popularity (Tranco).
- 1 Wellfound (formerly AngelList Talent) wellfound.comOpen Wellfound (formerly AngelList Talent) listing page in a new tab
Free startup company profile and job listings seen by startup job seekers and investors.
Best for: Employers and related
Serves: Any country
Free, paid upgrades · Pricing page FAQ: set up a company profile and post your first job free; no review/approval step stated.
- 2 Agency Central agencycentral.co.ukOpen Agency Central listing page in a new tab
UK directory of recruitment agencies used by candidates and employers.
Best for: Employers and related
Serves: GB
Not established yet
Prepare this before you submit
Keep it in one document. Most forms ask for the same things, and identical details everywhere are what make listings count.
- 1
Case studies with named clients or numbers
B2B directories rank profiles with proof higher.
- 2
Service lines, industries served and minimum project size
Buyers filter by these before contacting anyone.
- 3
Client references willing to take a review call
Some B2B directories verify reviews by phone.
- 4
Team size, location and founding year
Every profile form asks; keep it identical everywhere.
- 5
A logo and portfolio images
Profiles without visuals are passed over.
- 6
A budget limit for sponsored placement
Sponsored tiers are sold as monthly retainers.
What to skip
-
Paid "featured" slots on directories with no presence in your category searches
None of the paid placements are measured here; directories filled 33% of top-10 results in our 3 searches.
-
Planning around Behance and Upwork Agencies and Thomasnet and Guru and IQS Directory before checking eligibility
They show up in employer searches, but our census did not confirm they accept employers. Check the claim page before you plan around it.
-
Link-list directories that accept anything
They rarely send people, and a followed link from them is worth little.
-
Launching everywhere on the same day
Spread launches so you can answer comments and see which site sends sign-ups.
1 we couldn't confirm are live · Blocked or failing when we checked. Verify before you spend time.
Method and limits
- Measured presence. We ran 3 searches a buyer would type on Google US (desktop) on Oct 20, 2026 and counted which directories reached the first ten results. AI Overview citations are counted separately; for local guides, the map pack counts for Google Business Profile.
- Audience fit. Directories built for employers rank above ones that take any business.
- Popularity, as a tie-break only. Tranco top-1M list GQG5K. We don't use domain authority or DR scores.
Verdicts ("Best for online booking", "Best first claim") come from the same data: the evidence above and each directory's own description in our census of 16 directories that accept employers, checked Oct 20, 2026. Facts we could not establish are listed as not established, never guessed. 3 searches is a small sample; we will widen it. Full methodology
Common questions
Where should I list a new employer first?
Start with Indeed Company Pages, Glassdoor for Employers and Built In. Indeed Company Pages appeared in 1 of the 3 searches we checked.
Which directories show up in Google for employers?
In our 3 Google US searches on Oct 20, 2026: Indeed Company Pages (in 1 of 3 searches, best #5); Glassdoor for Employers (in 1 of 3 searches, best #3); Built In (in 1 of 3 searches, best #9); Behance (in 1 of 3 searches, best #1); Upwork Agencies (in 1 of 3 searches, best #4). Directories filled 33% of the organic top-10 results overall.
Are paid directories worth it for employers?
Test one at a time. Our census lists 1 paid platform that accept employers, led by Welcome to the Jungle. We have no traffic or lead data for them, so judge with a tracked link and a stop date.