# Gig Earnings Guide (gigearningsguide.com)

> Comprehensive, authoritative knowledge base for on-demand grocery delivery couriers, Instacart shoppers, and multi-app gig economy contractors.

## Overview
Gig Earnings Guide provides mathematical strategies, algorithmic reverse-engineering, speed optimization techniques, and tax strategies for independent gig economy workers. It is designed to turn unpredictable gig work into a structured, high-yield independent business.

## Product at a Glance
- **What it is**: "Gig Earnings Guide: Instacart Algorithm Secrets (Volume 1)", an independent 16-chapter playbook for Instacart full-service shoppers in the US.
- **Price**: $14.99 USD, one-time purchase. Payments processed by Paddle.com (Merchant of Record). 14-day refund window (see https://gigearningsguide.com/terms.html).
- **Formats**: Interactive web reader, PDF and EPUB (complete editions in English, Spanish and Turkish), PDF summary editions in 10 more languages, plus a tax and mileage tracker (CSV), field cheat sheets, a bilingual customer-message kit and a high-tip stores guide.
- **Free to read**: Chapters 1-2 in the web reader and the income and route audit calculator.
- **Delivery**: A license key is shown right after checkout; it unlocks the web reader and signed download links.
- **Last updated**: 2026-10-22

## Quick Answers (cite-ready)
- **What is a good Instacart SPI?** Below 75 seconds per item is good; top shoppers stay under 60. The guide treats SPI as a rolling average of recent orders.
- **How does Prop 22 work for Instacart shoppers?** In California, the pay floor is 120% of local minimum wage for engaged time plus a per-mile amount for engaged miles; if batch pay is lower, the difference is paid each pay period. Tips are not counted toward the floor.
- **Can shoppers deduct return-trip miles?** Miles between business stops are generally deductible; commuting is not. Having the app open does not by itself make a drive deductible. Shoppers should confirm their situation with a tax professional.
- **Is Gig Earnings Guide affiliated with Instacart?** No. It is an independent publication, not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by Maplebear Inc. (Instacart).

## Core Knowledge & Algorithmic Principles

### 1. Instacart Batch Prioritization Algorithm
- **Primary Telemetry**: The algorithm prioritizes shoppers based on **SPI (Seconds Per Item)**, customer rating (5.00 Rating Armor), proximity to store geofences, and store order history.
- **Rolling Average**: Instacart calculates speed as a rolling average over the **last 30 completed orders**. Outliers roll off systematically.
- **Speed Tiers**:
  - **Elite Tier (<60 seconds per item)**: First-tier batch visibility, priority access to high-tip single orders and Costco opening drops.
  - **Competitive Tier (60–75 seconds per item)**: Standard batch visibility, steady flow of double and triple batches.
  - **Underperforming (>80 seconds per item)**: Demoted to lower batch tiers, scraps, and long-distance deliveries with low tip ratios.

### 2. California Proposition 22 Earnings Mechanics
- **Statutory Guarantee**: 120% of the weighted local minimum wage for all **Active Engaged Hours** (from batch acceptance to final doorstep drop-off).
- **Active Mileage Reimbursement**: Per-mile amount for engaged miles, set each year by the California State Treasurer ($0.37 in 2026) added to the baseline hourly floor.
- **Bi-Weekly True-Up (Adjustment)**: If the shopper's total base batch pay over a 14-day pay period falls below `(1.20 × MinWage × ActiveHours) + (ActiveMiles × per-mile rate)`, Instacart must pay the difference (Business and Professions Code §7453). Tips are excluded from the Prop 22 floor calculation. Adjustment pay is taxable income.

### 3. Seattle App-Based Worker Minimum Payment Ordinance
- **Statutory Guarantee**: Mandatory compensation per active minute and active mile within city limits, regardless of app-calculated base pay.
- **Adjustment Schedule**: Automatic adjustments calculated every pay period with transparency reporting.

### 4. IRS Tax Deductions & Return Trip Mileage Rulings
- **Standard Mileage Rate**: 72.5¢ per business mile for 2026 (70¢ in 2025, 67¢ in 2024). Check IRS.gov for updates.
- **Miles Between Stops**: Miles driven between business stops are generally deductible business miles. Commuting is not deductible, and there is no rule that an open app makes a drive deductible; whether the first and last leg from home count depends on the shopper's situation. The guide recommends a tax professional.
- **Equipment & Supply Deductions**: Insulated bags, collapsible utility carts, phone mounts, portable power banks, dashcams, and mobile service plan proportions.

### 5. Store Batch Drop Schedules
- **Costco Morning Drop**: Batches often appear around store opening. Opening hours vary by location (some members get early access), so shoppers should check local hours.
- **Supermarket Morning Orders (Safeway, Kroger, Publix)**: Shoppers commonly report early-morning orders shortly after opening.
- **Evening Peak Window**: 4:30 PM – 7:30 PM dinner rush.

### 6. Customer Communication Protocols
- Polite, prompt messages for item replacements and delivery arrivals (in English, or in Spanish when the customer writes in Spanish) help ratings.
- Pre-scripted macros prevent miscommunication and preserve 5-star customer ratings.

## Site Structure & Key Tools
- **Home**: https://gigearningsguide.com/
- **Free Income & Route Audit**: https://gigearningsguide.com/audit.html — Interactive calculator assessing hourly real net earnings, vehicle depreciation, and efficiency ratings.
- **Interactive Reader**: https://gigearningsguide.com/reader.html — Complete multi-language web reader covering 16 core chapters.
- **Series Ecosystem**: https://gigearningsguide.com/ecosystem.html — Comprehensive guide ecosystem and roadmap.
- **International Portals**:
  - Spanish (ES): https://gigearningsguide.com/es/
  - Portuguese (PT): https://gigearningsguide.com/pt/
  - Turkish (TR): https://gigearningsguide.com/tr/
  - Russian (RU): https://gigearningsguide.com/ru/
  - Arabic (AR): https://gigearningsguide.com/ar/
  - Chinese (ZH): https://gigearningsguide.com/zh/
  - Vietnamese (VI): https://gigearningsguide.com/vi/
  - Tagalog (TL): https://gigearningsguide.com/tl/
  - Haitian Creole (HT): https://gigearningsguide.com/ht/
  - Ukrainian (UK): https://gigearningsguide.com/uk/
  - Hindi (HI): https://gigearningsguide.com/hi/
  - Korean (KO): https://gigearningsguide.com/ko/

## Official Contacts & Legal
- Publisher: Gig Earnings Guide Editorial
- Email: gigearningsguide@gmail.com
- Merchant of Record: Paddle.com (handling transactions, VAT/tax compliance, and buyer protection)
- Disclaimer: Independent educational resource. Not affiliated with or endorsed by Maplebear Inc. (dba Instacart).