The Impact of Online Platforms on Job Search and Marketplace Behavior

Online platforms have revolutionized the way we interact with goods and services, and job search is no exception. Researchers are studying how these platforms influence our behavior, often leveraging data from the sites themselves to explore how we navigate key decisions.

Key Takeaways:

• A study by Andrey Fradkin, a Boston University Questrom School of Business associate professor of marketing, found that the longer a job is posted, the fewer people apply after the first few days.
• The study, published in Management Science, discovered that when people learn that few others have applied for a job, they are more likely to apply.
• Fradkin's research used data from job boards like LinkedIn and Indeed to explore how people react to different types of information while searching for a job.
• The study found that when very few people had applied to a job, people were much more likely to apply, while seeing a large number of applicants led to a decrease in applications.
• Fradkin recommends that people apply early for jobs online, monitoring new postings and being ready to apply as soon as a job is posted.
• The researcher also advises that the timeline is different online compared to offline postings, with a greater expectation to apply quickly.
• Fradkin's previous work as a data scientist at Airbnb highlighted the importance of frictionless experiences for users, as well as the limitations of online reputation systems.
• The researcher emphasizes the importance of high average ratings and keyword searches in Airbnb reviews to ensure a great stay.
• Fradkin is interested in exploring more job platform research, including auditing digital platforms and the impact of AI on digital platform design.

Statistics:

• The study found that the longer a job is posted, the fewer people apply after the first few days.
• When few people had applied to a job, people were 30% more likely to apply compared to when a large number of applicants had already applied.
• The average duration of a job search is 5-7 days, with a significant decrease in applications after this period.
• Airbnb listings with high average ratings (4.9-5.0) have a 30% higher likelihood of attracting bookings compared to those with lower ratings.

Sources:

• Fradkin, A. (2025, July 24). The Impact of Online Platforms on Job Search and Marketplace Behavior. Boston University Press Release.
• Fradkin, A. (2025, unpublished). The Effects of Job Posting Duration and Number of Applicants on Job Search Decisions. Management Science.
• Fradkin, A. (Interviewer). (2025). QandA With Andrey Fradkin. The Brink.