As Google continues making changes to its job posting platform, Google for Jobs, it will be important for employers and ATSs to pay close attention to job descriptions. Google has emphasized that this will go far beyond basic proofreading and spam prevention.
Google Is Looking At Job “Freshness”
Among many new features to Google’s new editorial algorithm, any employer or job posting entity will need to take a second look at their job posting dates to ensure they’re accurate. ATSs and employers alike need to keep this in mind not to suffer the ranking consequences.
Job seekers need to feel that their efforts are worthwhile when searching for a new career opportunity. Expired dates make the positions seem unreliable and reflect badly on the job post and the employer, not to mention Google.
An applicant could apply for a job only to find out that it was an inaccurate posting, which is a disheartening experience for job seekers, and a way to lose users – Google is unwilling to deal with inaccurate posting dates anymore, as it reflects poorly on the GFJ user experience.
Do Make Sure That All Dates Are Accurate
All dates must be accurate, and any job postings that are expired should be removed. An inaccurate job posting may convey that the employer is unprofessional, lazy, and irresponsible.
A proper job posting date should resemble the exact hiring period expected. Google has given employers a template for reference, stating that it must be in ISO 8601 format. For example, if an employer posted the job on October 26th, 2021, it would be labeled as “2021-10-26.”
Once an employer or ATS submits a job posting, they must leave the date alone unless they’ve made significant updates to the posting.
Don’t Disguise Old Jobs as New Ones
Employers and ATSs must not disguise old jobs as new ones. Aside from it being a dishonest practice, seasoned job seekers can recognize the position, and Google’s algorithm will remove it. New positions are appealing to job seekers, and job postings filtered as new really must be new.
Don’t Duplicate Positions
Google’s algorithm is now getting stricter with spam postings. A duplicate job posting is not going to generate more traffic towards the positions on Google for Jobs. Even if the position is reputable, Google will lower job post rankings if duplicates are found. Google is now considering duplicate postings spam, which it sees as a hazard for job seekers.
To learn more about the recent changes made to Google for Jobs in their fall update, please read our accompanying articles:
Google for Jobs October 1st Updates – What Are the Guidelines?
What Elements on a Job Posting Page Will Negatively Impact Your Google Quality Score?
The New Google for Jobs Guidelines – What Can An ATS Expect?
