What is Job Backfill? Auto-Import Listings
Understanding automatic job backfilling on your board.
What is job backfill?
Job backfill is a feature that automatically imports job listings from external sources to populate your job board. It pulls relevant positions from aggregated feeds, career pages, and partner networks so your board has content from day one. This solves the chicken-and-egg problem that kills most new job boards before they gain traction.
Why use backfill
Bootstrap your board
New job boards need content. Backfill provides initial jobs while you build your employer base. Learn more about solving the chicken-and-egg problem in our complete guide.
Fill content gaps
If your niche doesn't have many direct job posts, backfill ensures visitors always find relevant listings.
Increase value
More jobs = more value for job seekers = more traffic = more attractive to employers.
How backfill works
- Company matching: Jobs are imported based on companies you select
- Automatic updates: New jobs appear as they become available
- Deduplication: Same jobs from different sources aren't duplicated
Backfill vs. direct jobs
| Aspect | Backfill jobs | Direct jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Source | External aggregation | Employers post directly |
| Revenue | Usually free listings | Can charge posting fees |
| Control | Limited customization | Full control over listing |
| Freshness | Depends on source | Real-time |
When to use backfill
Works well for:
- New boards building traffic
- Niche boards with limited direct posts
- Aggregator-style boards
Watch out for:
- May reduce incentive for employers to pay
- Less control over job quality
- Need to monitor for relevance
Backfill and your business model
Backfill is primarily a content strategy, not a revenue source:
Content first, revenue later
Backfill helps you:
- Build initial content to attract job seekers
- Demonstrate value to potential paying employers
- Keep your board active while growing direct relationships
Transitioning to paid postings
As your board grows, shift toward direct employer postings:
- Launch phase: Heavy backfill for content foundation
- Growth phase: Mix of backfill and direct postings
- Established: Primarily direct postings, backfill as supplement
The goal is to use backfill to build traffic, then convert that traffic into value for paying employers.
Backfill best practices
- Start selective: Only backfill relevant companies/jobs
- Monitor quality: Check that imported jobs are appropriate
- Balance with direct: Encourage direct postings for higher revenue
- Disclose if required: Some regions require noting job sources
- Track performance: Monitor which categories generate most clicks