Use application limits to stop repeated, abusive applications for the same job or across your open jobs. Limits are time-based and temporary: once the time window passes, the candidate can apply again.
Important: We built application limits to protect your team from spam and repeated, abusive submissions, so you can focus your time on real candidates. They're a spam prevention tool only: they don't filter candidates, manage candidate quality, or limit how many genuine candidates can apply to your jobs, and every candidate who reaches a limit still has a way to reach you.
Note: This functionality is available on the Start, Advance, and Optimize plans only
How to set limits
Application limits are turned off by default. You can define how many times a candidate can apply for one job or across all your open jobs within a given number of days. You can edit or remove these limits at any time.
Once a candidate reaches a limit, they temporarily can't apply again until the relevant time window has passed. They can still contact your team at any time
In the Application limits for spam prevention card, click Set limits.
Read the acknowledgment. It confirms that application limits are intended solely as a spam prevention measure and that your company is responsible for configuring them in compliance with applicable laws, including data protection and anti-discrimination laws. If you agree, click Accept and proceed.
Toggle one or both of the following limits:
Limit applications per job: Choose how many times a candidate can apply for the same job within the number of days you enter.
Limit total applications per candidate: Choose the maximum number of jobs a candidate can apply for across all open jobs in your company within the number of days you enter. Company-wide limits can affect candidates who are applying for multiple suitable roles. Configure them carefully and review their impact regularly to avoid unnecessarily restricting genuine candidates
Important: Make sure to monitor your job pipeline closely and keep an eye on the mailbox for any communication from candidates. This will help ensure that the limits are not preventing you from identifying and progressing candidates who are a true fit for the role.
We recommend using the least restrictive settings that effectively address the spam you are experiencing. Avoid thresholds or time windows that could unnecessarily prevent genuine candidates from applying.
For each limit you enable, enter the maximum number of applications and the number of days for the limit.
Choose values that are proportionate to the spam you actually experience: the goal is to stop abusive repeated submissions, not to limit genuine candidates.
If a field is empty or the value is outside this range, the dialog displays an error and Save limits remains disabled.
Click Save limits.
After you save your settings, the Application limits for spam prevention card displays the active limits and their current values.
If a candidate reaches either configured limit, they temporarily can’t submit another application until the relevant time window resets
Note: When a limit is turned off, its configuration fields are hidden. You must enable at least one limit before you can save your settings.
How application limits work
How candidates are matched
Tellent Recruitee uses a candidate’s email address and, when available, phone number to match applications. Email aliases with a plus sign, such as name+alias@example.com, are treated as the same email address as name@example.com.
Which applications are covered
The limits apply to applications submitted through your Careers site. They do not apply to applications submitted through Apply with Indeed or applications added by recruiters.
What happens when a candidate reaches a limit
If a candidate reaches either configured limit, they temporarily cannot submit another application until the relevant time window expires.
Application limits affect only future application attempts. They do not delete or remove applications that have already been submitted.
Application counters reset automatically when the relevant time window expires. Tellent Recruitee does not keep a block list of candidates who reach a limit. Application-limit data is used only to prevent spam, not to evaluate, score, or rank candidates.
What candidates see
When a candidate reaches a limit, the Careers site displays a message explaining that they cannot submit another application at that time. The message also directs them to the inbox for the relevant job so they can contact your team if they need help or believe the limit was applied in error.
Your team is responsible for reviewing and responding to these messages.
We recommend telling candidates about application limits before they submit an application.
For example, you can add a short notice to your Careers site or candidate privacy notice. Your company is responsible for determining the appropriate legal basis for using application limits, informing candidates, and responding to candidate questions or complaints.
Frequently asked questions
Can I block an individual candidate?
No. Application limits do not include a way to block a specific candidate. They only limit repeated applications based on the thresholds and time periods configured by your company.
What happens when a candidate reaches one of the limits?
The candidate is temporarily prevented from submitting another application until the relevant time window resets. Reaching either configured limit is enough to prevent another application. The candidate sees a message on the Careers site and can contact your team through the inbox for the relevant job. Applications they have already submitted are not affected.
Can I use application limits for anything other than spam prevention?
No. Application limits are designed only to prevent spam and repeated, abusive submissions. They should not be used to filter candidates, manage candidate quality, optimize your recruitment process, or reduce the number of genuine applications you receive.
Which applications are covered by these limits?
The limits apply to applications submitted through your Careers site and the Public API. They don’t apply to Apply with Indeed or applications added by recruiters.
Should I let candidates know about application limits?
Yes. We recommend telling candidates that application limits apply before they submit an application. You can do this with a short notice on your Careers site or in your candidate privacy notice.
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