In 2025–2026, the average job search duration for white-collar workers in Russia reached 5–14 months, while for top managers and specialists, it extended to 8–14 months. Over the year ending in May 2025, the number of job postings on hh.ru decreased by 25%, while the volume of new resumes increased by 36%. Competition for vacancies grew from 3.7 to 5.9 resumes per position.
The company's revenue for the first nine months of 2025 reached 30.7 ₽ billion, primarily driven by employers paying for database access and job postings. In June 2025, the Federal Antimonopoly Service of Russia recognized hh.ru as a dominant market player with an estimated market share of approximately 57%. The platform utilizes gamification and paid PRO subscriptions to maintain user engagement.
A similar business model conflict is observed in the dating industry. On February 14, 2026, a class-action lawsuit was filed against Match Group in California, alleging that platforms like Tinder and Hinge prioritize retaining paying subscribers over helping them find long-term relationships. Tinder's 2019 revenue reached $1.2 billion, with features like Swipe Surge significantly boosting user activity.
The author notes that recruitment agencies operating on a success-fee model (12–18% of annual salary) also face conflicts of interest, as they prioritize high-paying, easy-to-fill vacancies over complex roles. The article suggests that platforms should track 'time to user result' as a key metric separate from revenue to avoid misalignment between business growth and user success.
