The cash deal, announced this morning, will see Glassdoor operate within Recruit Holdings’ HR technology segment, which also includes 2012 acquisition Indeed. Glassdoor will continue to be led by its current CEO and co-founder Robert Hohman. 

Recruit Holdings added that, while it will maintain a hands-off approach towards Glassdoor following the deal, both Glassdoor and Indeed will continue to operate under their own brands post acquisition. 

The group, however, did add it expects the two sister companies will complement and work together in a number of areas, such as job search, job aggregation, jobseeker and employer matching, and utilising direct jobseeker input to improve the overall job search experience.

Commenting on the deal, Hisayuki Idekoba (Deko), chief operating officer of Recruit Holdings and head of the company’s HR technology segment, said: “Glassdoor’s database of employer information and the job search capabilities of Indeed complement each other well. Glassdoor’s mission of helping people everywhere find jobs and companies they love is a great fit with Indeed’s goal of helping people get jobs.”

Meanwhile, Hohman said the deal would provide Glassdoor the opportunity to strengthen its platform and accelerate growth, adding: “I look forward to leading Glassdoor through this exciting new chapter, and exploring ways to leverage our combined resources and assets.”

Also commenting on the deal, Matt Alder, talent acquisition and innovation consultant at recruitment marketing strategy specialist Metashift, called the deal an “interesting move” that seems on the surface to make sense for both companies. 

Alder told Recruiter: “Glassdoor’s unrivalled user review and employer brand data combined with Indeed’s reach into the jobs market would be a potent force if Recruit Holdings chose to integrate the two companies' offerings. This acquisition also illustrates the growing strategic importance of the HR tech sector. As the major global tech companies such move further into the space and intensify their fight for market dominance, further consolidation is inevitable. Interesting times!”

The transaction is expected to close during Q2 of Recruit Holdings’ fiscal year ending 31 March 2019, subject to closing conditions and regulatory approvals. 

• Comment below on this story. You can also tweet us to tell us your thoughts or share this story with a friend. Our editorial email is [email protected]