Indeed vs The Muse API for AI agents
Indeed’s developer docs list no self-serve job search API: third parties get a JavaScript plugin for approved partners, and a beta MCP server that works only as a Claude connector. The Muse API is a public JSON API for job and company listings posted on The Muse.
The short answer
- Indeed: Job seekers using Claude who want Indeed's own listings and their Indeed resume in one place; not an open data API for developers.
- The Muse API: A free, no-key way to pull The Muse's curated job listings with company context.
Side by side
| Indeed | The Muse API | |
|---|---|---|
| Searches | Jobs from Indeed and Indeed PLUS job boards (aggregated), shown through Indeed's own plugin UI. | Jobs listed on The Muse, filterable by company, category, level and location (including flexible/remote). |
| Returns | The plugin renders Indeed's own job search UI on your page (no raw data documented). The MCP Job Search tool returns titles, companies, locations, salaries and application URLs. | JSON pages of 20 results; each job has name, contents (description), publication_date, locations, levels, categories, company and refs.landing_page. |
| Before the first call | Indeed partner status and a partner app ID arranged through an Indeed representative (plugin); an Indeed account sign-in inside Claude (MCP). | Nothing for testing; an api_key from registration is required for any use beyond testing. |
| Free | – | 500 requests per hour without a key; 3,600 per hour with a registered key. No price is stated. |
| Acting on a result | MCP results include application URLs; the docs do not say whether they point to Indeed or to the employer. | refs.landing_page points to the job page on themuse.com. |
| Limits on keeping or showing results | Plugin rules: HTTPS pages only, explanatory headers, 16px margins, no leading users to click jobs for monetization; Indeed caps each publisher's click revenue. No caching or storage clause found. | Content shown via the API must link back to The Muse; on termination you must destroy stored Muse Content (terms last modified 7/25/2015). |
| AI in its terms | Indeed's Terms of Service define Agentic AI and prohibit bots automating Indeed Apply outside Indeed's official vendors; the MCP server is beta and subject to Indeed's Terms of Service. | Not stated on its pages |
| Coverage | – | The location filter lists cities worldwide; no stated country coverage. |
| MCP server | Official Indeed MCP server, beta, available only as a Claude connector: https://docs.indeed.com/mcp/ | No official server listed |
Where Openpath fits
If the agent needs a job to apply for in Austin, Texas, or a remote one, Openpath returns the listings themselves, free and with no key. See Openpath vs Indeed and Openpath vs The Muse API.
Questions people ask
What do I need before I can use The Muse API?
Nothing for testing; an api_key from registration is required for any use beyond testing.
Is The Muse API free?
500 requests per hour without a key; 3,600 per hour with a registered key. No price is stated.
Sources
Every line about another company comes from its own pages. Prices and terms change, so check the source before you rely on one.
Indeed, read on October 15, 2026:
- docs.indeed.com/publisher-js-plugin: “To use the plugin, you must be an Indeed partner.”
- docs.indeed.com/publisher-js-plugin: “Integrate Indeed features into your job board or publisher site by making only front-end changes.”
- docs.indeed.com/publisher-js-plugin: “Indeed assigns each publisher a cap on how much revenue they can receive from clicks on jobs”
- docs.indeed.com/mcp: “is available only for Claude Connector”
- docs.indeed.com/mcp: “titles, companies, locations, salaries, and application URLs”
- docs.indeed.com/mcp: “Sign in with your Indeed account for first-time use”
- docs.indeed.com/mcp: “offered in beta and subject to Indeed's Terms of Service”
- indeed.com/legal: “Use of any automation, scripting, or bots to automate the Indeed Apply process outside of Indeed's official vendors”
- indeed.com/legal: “Agentic AI: An algorithm which can perform tasks in accordance with a person's instructions.”
The Muse API, read on October 15, 2026:
- themuse.com/developers/api/v2: “Registration is required for any use beyond testing.”
- themuse.com/developers/api/v2: “you're limited to 500 requests per hour”
- themuse.com/developers/api/v2: “This will allow you to make up to 3600 requests per hour.”
- themuse.com/api/public/jobs: “https://www.themuse.com/jobs/dmcsinaigracehospital/registered-nurse-registered-nurse-medsurg-telemetry-full-time-nights-6ec354”
- themuse.com/developers/api/v2/terms: “any Muse Content provided through the Apps by utilizing the Muse API will link back to The Muse Website”