Indeed vs USAJOBS 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. USAJOBS API is the official REST API for searching public U.S. federal government job announcements on USAJOBS.
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.
- USAJOBS API: Authoritative, reusable data on U.S. federal government job openings.
Side by side
| Indeed | USAJOBS API | |
|---|---|---|
| Searches | Jobs from Indeed and Indeed PLUS job boards (aggregated), shown through Indeed's own plugin UI. | Public job announcements posted on USAJOBS (status/internal jobs need extra steps); a single employer-side source, not an aggregator. |
| 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 SearchResult items with PositionTitle, PositionURI, ApplyURI, OrganizationName, PositionLocation (with lat/long) and PositionRemuneration. |
| 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). | An API key requested through an application form (name, email, phone, organization, intended use); calls send Host, User-Agent (your email) and Authorization-Key headers. |
| Acting on a result | MCP results include application URLs; the docs do not say whether they point to Indeed or to the employer. | PositionURI/ApplyURI point to the announcement on usajobs.gov. |
| 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. | Public Data may be copied, stored, republished and used commercially; attribution to USAJOBS is encouraged, not required; don't present modified data as official. Max 10,000 rows per query, 500 per page. |
| 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 | – | United States federal government jobs (in the U.S. and abroad). |
| 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 USAJOBS API.
Questions people ask
What do I need before I can use USAJOBS API?
An API key requested through an application form (name, email, phone, organization, intended use); calls send Host, User-Agent (your email) and Authorization-Key headers.
Is USAJOBS API free?
Its pages listed no free use when we read them on October 15, 2026.
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.”
USAJOBS API, read on October 15, 2026:
- developer.usajobs.gov/guides/authentication: “To request an API Key, please go the the API Request page and fill out an application.”
- developer.usajobs.gov/apirequest: “Only public job information is available through this site.”
- developer.usajobs.gov/guides/rate-limiting: “Maximum of 10,000 rows per query”
- developer.usajobs.gov/guides/terms-of-service: “Public Data may be copied, stored, reformatted, adapted, analyzed, published, redistributed, and used for lawful commercial”
- developer.usajobs.gov/guides/terms-of-service: “OPM encourages users to identify USAJOBS as the source, link to the current official job announcement”
- developer.usajobs.gov/api-reference/get-api-search: “URI to apply for the job offering.”
- usajobs.gov/HiringPath/Public: “the official employment site for the federal government”