40% of companies posted fake job listings in 2024 — now lawmakers in multiple states are moving to ban them

In 2024, a significant 40% of companies were found to have posted fake job listings, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal. This deceptive practice, known as "ghost jobs," has prompted lawmakers in several states to take action. New York has passed a bill mandating companies to disclose timelines for filling advertised positions or face fines.

Senator Kathy Hochul is expected to review the legislation. Pennsylvania has introduced a similar bill requiring employers to state their hiring intentions and provide a timeline for removing job listings after the position is filled. Other states, including Kentucky, New Jersey, and California, are considering comparable solutions.

The phenomenon of ghost jobs has been ongoing for some time, with 40% of companies surveyed by career site Resume Builder admitting to posting fake listings in 2024. In some instances, hiring managers argued that these tactics were beneficial for business and morally acceptable. However, critics contend that ghost jobs create a false sense of growth and calm for investors and current employees, potentially eroding jobseekers' trust in companies.

Recent data from Greenhouse, analyzing its clients' job postings, revealed that 19% of jobs advertised in the second quarter of 2026 showed no meaningful hiring activity after receiving applications. This suggests that many job searches can remain stagnant due to factors beyond recruiters' or hiring managers' control, such as budget changes or internal candidate reviews.

The impersonal nature of the online job-hunting process has contributed to the prevalence of ghost jobs. Job seekers often apply to numerous positions, only to be met with no response or the same job reappearing after weeks or months. Heather Sanford, a 44-year-old marketing professional, has applied to over 3,000 jobs since her contract role ended in May 2025. She expressed frustration with the lack of communication and questioned the authenticity of certain job listings.

Ghost jobs have become increasingly common due to the impersonal online job-hunting process. As job seekers encounter numerous openings, apply, and receive no response, they may question the legitimacy of some postings.