Key Findings Grade C

Glassdoor's value proposition centers on anonymous company reviews, but recent changes requiring real names have undermined this promise. The platform's anonymity protections are weaker than many users expect, and the terms allow significant data sharing.

Real Name Now Required Severe

In 2024, Glassdoor began requiring real names for new accounts and retroactively adding names to existing accounts without clear consent. While reviews remain publicly anonymous, Glassdoor now knows (and stores) your real identity linked to all ymy reviews.

Source: Account Verification Policy, 2024 Changes

Anonymity Can Be Compromised Severe

Despite "anonymous" reviews, Glassdoor has disclosed reviewer identities in response to legal subpoenas. If a former employer sues over a review, your identity may be revealed through legal process.

Source: Legal Disclosures, Court Cases

Contribute to Access Model Moderate

To view company reviews and salary data, you must contribute your own information. This "give to get" model means your salary, interview experiences, or company reviews are effectively payment for access.

Source: Terms of Service, Content Access

Indeed Parent Company Moderate

Glassdoor is owned by Recruit Holdings (same as Indeed). Data may be shared between platforms, and your Glassdoor activity could influence your Indeed job search experience.

Source: Privacy Policy, Corporate Structure

Review Removal Challenges Moderate

Once you post a review, removing it is difficult. Glassdoor retains the content and your identity even after deletion requests, citing "integrity" of the review system.

Source: Content Policy, Data Retention

Salary Data Used Broadly Mild

Salary information you submit feeds aggregate data products sold to employers. While individual salaries aren't shared, your data helps employers understand market rates—information that may not always favor employees.

Source: Privacy Policy, Data Products

What This Means for You

Glassdoor's shift to requiring real names fundamentally changes the platform's privacy calculus. While ymy reviews still appear anonymous to the public, Glassdoor now has a verified identity link. This makes the platform riskier for candid employer reviews.

The "give to get" model means you're not just a user—you're a content creator whose contributions have commercial value. Consider carefully what you share, knowing that true anonymity is no longer guaranteed and content deletion is difficult.

Proceed With Caution

Glassdoor remains useful for researching companies, but the 2024 real-name requirement changes the risk profile for reviewers. If you're leaving reviews, assume your identity could eventually be connected to that content through legal process. Consider using the platform primarily for reading reviews rather than contributing. If you must review, stick to factual, non-defamatory observations that you'd be comfortable having linked to your name.