If you're using Augusta's Indeed integration, you have two ways candidates can apply to your jobs on Indeed:

• Augusta's Smart Post Apply Method
• Indeed Apply

Augusta's Indeed integration fully supports both options and keeps candidates flowing into your Augusta dashboard. The difference isn't whether Augusta processes the applicant—it always does. The difference lies in where candidates complete their application and how that experience impacts applicant volume, interview booking, and hiring outcomes.

Quick Takeaway

• ✅ Both apply methods send applicants into Augusta.
• ✅ Both use your Augusta Qualification Criteria and workflows.
• ✅ Both send applicant disposition data back to Indeed.
• 📈 Indeed Apply generally results in higher applicant volume from Indeed.
• 🎯 Augusta's Smart Post Apply method has historically resulted in higher hire rates across Augusta customers.

In this article

• Understanding the two apply methods
• What stays the same regardless of which method you choose
• What changes with each apply method
• Real-world hiring outcomes
• Which apply method is right for your agency?
• How to enable Indeed Apply
• Important: Enable Indeed Apply from Augusta—not Indeed
• Feature comparison

Understanding the Two Apply Methods

When someone clicks Apply on your Indeed job posting, one of two things can happen depending on the apply method you've selected.

The important thing to understand is that choosing Indeed Apply does not disconnect Augusta from Indeed. Applicants still flow into Augusta where they're screened, processed, and managed just like any other applicant.

What Stays the Same?

Regardless of which apply method you choose, Augusta continues handling your hiring workflow.

In other words, the only thing changing is the candidate's application experience—not your Augusta workflow.

What's Different?

While Augusta continues processing applicants regardless of the apply method you choose, the experience for the candidate is different.

That difference can have a meaningful impact on recruiting outcomes.

Augusta's Smart Post Apply Method

With Augusta's Smart Post Apply method, candidates click Apply on Indeed and are directed to your website careers page powered by Augusta Smart Posts.

Before applying, candidates have the opportunity to learn more about your agency through your careers page.

One of the biggest advantages of Augusta's Smart Post Apply experience is interview scheduling.

Today, over 65% of Augusta-qualified applicants schedule their interview or screening immediately after completing the Augusta application. That means recruiters spend less time manually reaching out to qualified applicants and more time interviewing candidates.

Because candidates are also engaging with your website careers page, this experience supports your long-term Google SEO and Google for Jobs efforts by driving traffic and engagement to your website.

Learn more: Optimizing Your Website for Google SEO
Learn more: How Augusta Smart Posts Support Google for Jobs

Indeed Apply

With Indeed Apply, candidates never leave Indeed.

Instead, they complete the application directly within Indeed using their Indeed profile and resume.

Once the application is submitted:

• Augusta immediately receives the application.
• Augusta screens the applicant using your Qualification Criteria.
• The applicant appears in your Augusta dashboard.
• Your existing workflows and integrations continue working as normal.
• Qualified applicants immediately receive a text message and email inviting them to schedule their interview or screening.

Indeed Apply creates a faster application experience by reducing the number of steps candidates take before submitting an application. This generally results in more completed applications from Indeed.

However, candidates do not experience the same branding, coaching, or immediate interview booking that occurs on your Augusta-powered careers page.

Real-World Hiring Outcomes

Both apply methods are effective, but they're optimized for different recruiting goals.

Over the past several months, we've compared hiring outcomes across Augusta customers using both apply methods and have observed a consistent trend.

Why does this happen?

Indeed Apply reduces application friction by allowing candidates to apply without leaving Indeed, which generally increases applicant volume.

Augusta's Smart Post Apply introduces candidates to your agency before they apply, provides coaching throughout the application, and immediately prompts qualified applicants to schedule an interview—all of which appear to contribute to stronger hiring outcomes.

Neither method is universally "better." The right choice depends on what you're trying to optimize.

Which Apply Method Is Right for You?

Augusta Still Sends Hiring Data Back to Indeed

One common misconception is that you must use Indeed Apply for Indeed to receive hiring outcome data.

That's not the case.

Whether you're using Augusta Smart Post Apply or Indeed Apply, Augusta continues sending applicant disposition data back to Indeed through our integration.

This helps Indeed better understand which applicants move through your hiring process and supports Indeed's ongoing efforts to improve candidate matching.

Learn more: How Augusta's Indeed Integration Works

How to Enable Indeed Apply

If you'd like to enable Indeed Apply:

1. Go to Smart Posts.
2. Select Indeed Settings.
3. Toggle Opt-in to Indeed Apply ON.
4. Click Save Settings.

Your Indeed jobs will typically update within 24 hours.

To switch back to Augusta's Smart Post Apply method, simply toggle OFF "Opt-in to Indeed Apply" and save your settings.

Important: Enable Indeed Apply from Augusta

⚠️ Important

If you're using Augusta's Indeed integration, always enable or disable Indeed Apply from your Augusta dashboard.

Do not enable Indeed Apply directly from your Indeed Employer account.

Making changes directly within Indeed can disconnect that job from Augusta's Indeed integration. If that happens, applicants may no longer flow into Augusta for screening, automations, interview booking, and processing.

Always manage your Indeed settings from:

Smart Posts → Indeed Settings

Feature Comparison

Putting It All Together

Augusta's Indeed integration supports both Augusta's Smart Post Apply method and Indeed Apply. Regardless of which option you choose, applicants are still processed through Augusta, screened using your Qualification Criteria, and managed through your existing hiring workflow.

The primary difference is the candidate's application experience. Indeed Apply generally reduces application friction and increases applicant volume, while Augusta's Smart Post Apply method introduces candidates to your agency before they apply, encourages immediate interview booking, and has historically produced higher hire rates across the Augusta customer network.

Ultimately, the right apply method depends on your recruiting goals. If you're unsure which approach is the best fit for your agency, our team is always happy to help you review your hiring strategy and current setup.