I’m trying to understand what’s going on with my account and wondering if others experience the same.

I have:

• 50+ completed orders

• 5.0 rating (all 5-star, 10+ ratings)

• Perfect quality score (no weight issues, refunds, replacements, etc.)

• Heavy orders ON

• Alcohol enabled

The strange part: I only ever see small batches — usually 3–10 items.

This happens regardless of time of day (morning, midday, evening), busy zones, or store type (Ralphs, Gelson’s, Walmart, Bristol, etc.).

I do sometimes get high-tip small batches (example: 7 items with $18 tip), and what’s weird is that these batches can sit for a while — so it doesn’t feel like someone else is grabbing bigger ones faster.

It feels more like I’m simply not being shown larger batches at all, even ones with $0 tip.

I’ve talked to support and they say everything is “fine” with my account.

This doesn’t feel like normal competition or bad timing — it feels like account-based filtering / segmentation.

❓ Has anyone experienced:

• consistently only small batches

• feeling like bigger batches are invisible

• “ghost / filtered batches” tied to the account itself

If so:

• did it ever change?

• after how many orders?

• was there anything specific that helped?

Appreciate any real experiences — not just “work mornings” or “be faster” advice.

  • I have 10,000 orders completed, a five star rating and have some this gig six years full time. This is the new normal for people who aren't cheating the system. I have made $100 this whole week total.

    Google "bots and Instacart" and you will find out why this is happening.

    I get that demand is down overall, but my question is a bit different.

    I’m not talking about low pay or slow weeks. I literally almost never see batches over 10 items — regardless of time, store, tip, or how long the batch sits.

    Even zero-tip or long-sitting larger batches don’t show for me at all. It feels like account-level batch filtering rather than competition or bots.

    Have you seen this specific behavior before?

  • They dont show everyone every single batch its done in groups. That is how they combat cherry picking and overpaying for batches. They would lose if they relied on supply and demand so they control and manipulate both.

    The best mindset to work any app is that they dont have to give you work you are responsible for finding the work. Thats why you need multiple apps. Thats the one tool to increase your earnings that they cannot manipulate.

    If you work multiple platforms they compete for your attention and not the other way around. When you pin the apps against eachother like a free market drivers win. Thats how it used to be before they introduced ratings.

  • Click on your account (bottom bar, icon all the way on right) then on Batch Eligibility. Make sure everything is completed.

    Also, when online, click on the “looking for batches” grey bar on the main shop tab and make sure there isn’t anything amiss.