Online Recruitment Sites in the UK - Market Research Report (2014-2029)
London, United Kingdom
Last Updated: May 2024
SIC SP0.098Revenue
£938.9m
Past 5-Year Growth
Profit
£XX.Xm
Employees
11,095
Businesses
611
Wages
£XXX.Xm
Online Recruitment Sites in the UK industry analysis
Over the five years through 2024-25, Online Recruitment Site industry revenue is anticipated to increase at a compound annual rate of 4.1%. Online recruitment sites have become increasingly popular and a mainstream way to find a job. While site operators can't charge candidates, having more registered CVs and website visitors allows online recruitment companies to command a higher fee from businesses for their services. Sites have prioritised expanding ancillary services to attract more clients and ensure successful placements. Regarding employment trends, government, healthcare, education, IT and technology, and the hospitality and tourism markets have been the driving force for demand in recent years.
Trends and Insights
- COVID-19 pandemic reshapes job market landscape. The pandemic led to a decrease in demand from sectors like retail, hospitality, and manufacturing, causing online recruitment sites to innovate and offer upskilling courses to maintain revenue and candidate employability.
- Online recruitment sites are expanding their services. They're offering more than just job listings, with additional features such as candidate consultation services, customisable advertisement designs, as well as assessment and CV preparation packs for applicants.
- London dominates as the heart of online recruitment sites. Being the hub of the UK's financial and commercial activity, London boasts many specialised recruitment websites catering to vast industry sectors.
- Mergers lead online giants into new sectors. Major global recruitment sites, such as Totaljobs, LinkedIn, and Recruit Holdings, steadily expand through acquiring smaller companies, diversifying their reach into new sectors and cementing their market dominance.
Industry Overview
Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)
Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 4.1 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated £938.9m in 2024.
Trends and Insights
Online recruitment sites are extremely popular with both companies and candidates
- Online recruitment sites are cheaper, faster and offer wider coverage than traditional agencies.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2024-2029)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
The traditional high street is dying, whilst the health sector needs jobs to be filled
- The British high street has struggled against the rising popularity of e-commerce and online shopping. Stores have shifted to omni-channel sales such as click-and-collect and less reliance on manual labour, dampening demand from the sector.
Biggest companies in the Online Recruitment Sites in the UK
| Company | Market Share (%)
2025 | Revenue (£m)
2025 |
|---|---|---|
Recruit Holdings Co Ltd | 178.5 | |
LinkedIn Technology UK Ltd | 172.6 | |
The Stepstone Group UK Ltd | 104.2 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 6 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Job listings, Pay-per-click and CV database access. Job listings is the largest segment of the Online Recruitment Sites in the UK.
Trends and Insights
Standard or premium job listings vary by customised design, logos and advertisements
- Posts generally last between four and six weeks, and are split into basic/standard and premium job advertisements.
- More insights available in the full report
Widen you competitive advantage with related industries
Competitors
- Employment Placement Agencies in the UK
- Temporary-Employment Placement Agencies in the UK
Complementors
- There are no industries to display.
International industries
- Global HR & Recruitment Services
- Online Recruitment Sites in the US
- Online Recruitment Services in Australia
- Employment Placement and Recruitment Services in New Zealand
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
Online recruitment sites charge employers to list job roles. These firms also store candidate profiles to match employers with employees. Companies in this industry are not involved in the recruitment of personnel for client firms.
What's included in this industry?
Job listingsPay-per-clickCV database accessCandidate and application managementConsultingCompanies
Recruit Holdings Co LtdLinkedIn Technology UK LtdThe Stepstone Group UK LtdPurchase this report to view all 6 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
PAY-PER-CLICKCV DATABASESMARTPHONEIndustry Code
SIC 78.1 - Online Recruitment Sites in the UK
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
COVID-19 pandemic reshapes job market landscape. The pandemic led to a decrease in demand from sectors like retail, hospitality, and manufacturing, causing online recruitment...
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
Online recruitment sites are expanding their services. They're offering more than just job listings, with additional features such as candidate consultation services, customi...
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2024
- Product innovation level
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2024
- Major market segmentation in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
London dominates as the heart of online recruitment sites. Being the hub of the UK's financial and commercial activity, London boasts many specialised recruitment websites ca...
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each region in 2024
- Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of employees in each region in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across Europe, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
Mergers lead online giants into new sectors. Major global recruitment sites, such as Totaljobs, LinkedIn, and Recruit Holdings, steadily expand through acquiring smaller comp...
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
Recruit Holdings leads the Online Recruitment Sites industry. Its brands Indeed and Glassdoor offer unique services like pay-per-application and comprehensive employer review...
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
- Overview of Recruit Holdings Co Ltd's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of LinkedIn Technology UK Ltd's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of The Stepstone Group UK Ltd's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for 3 additional companies
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for Recruit Holdings Co Ltd, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for LinkedIn Technology UK Ltd, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for The Stepstone Group UK Ltd, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description, key data and performance trends for 3 additional companies
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
The Employment Agencies Act 1973 impacts online recruitment sites. The Act forbids these sites from charging individuals for job placement, ensuring fair practices in the ind...
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
Profit in the online recruitment industry fluctuates greatly. It's closely tied to the economy and labor demand, with specialisations such as finance and executive recruitmen...
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Liquidity Ratios (2018-2022)
- Coverage Ratios (2018-2022)
- Leverage Ratios (2018-2022)
- Operating Ratios (2018-2022)
- Assets (2018-2022)
- Liabilities (2018-2022)
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
- Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Average Wage (2014-2029)
- Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
- Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2014-2029)
- IVA (2014-2029)
- Establishments (2014-2029)
- Enterprises (2014-2029)
- Employment (2014-2029)
- Exports (2014-2029)
- Imports (2014-2029)
- Wages (2014-2029)
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in the UK include:
- Office for National Statistics
- Office for Budget Responsibility
- Bank of England
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.
Frequently Asked Questions
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Online Recruitment Sites in the UK industry in United Kingdom in 2024?
The market size of the Online Recruitment Sites in the UK industry in United Kingdom is £938.9m in 2024.
How many businesses are there in the Online Recruitment Sites in the UK industry in 2024?
There are 611 businesses in the Online Recruitment Sites in the UK industry in United Kingdom, which has grown at a CAGR of 3.4 % between 2019 and 2024.
Has the Online Recruitment Sites in the UK industry in United Kingdom grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Online Recruitment Sites in the UK industry in United Kingdom has been growing at a CAGR of 4.1 % between 2019 and 2024.
What is the forecast growth of the Online Recruitment Sites in the UK industry in United Kingdom over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Online Recruitment Sites in the UK industry in United Kingdom is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Online Recruitment Sites in the UK market in United Kingdom?
The biggest companies operating in the Online Recruitment Sites market in United Kingdom are Recruit Holdings Co Ltd, LinkedIn Technology UK Ltd and The Stepstone Group UK Ltd
What does the Online Recruitment Sites in the UK in United Kingdom include?
Job listings and Pay-per-click are part of the Online Recruitment Sites in the UK industry.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Online Recruitment Sites in the UK in United Kingdom?
The company holding the most market share in United Kingdom is Recruit Holdings Co Ltd.
How competitive is the Online Recruitment Sites in the UK industry in United Kingdom?
The level of competition is high and increasing in the Online Recruitment Sites in the UK industry in United Kingdom.
