One simple choice can change the way apps see you and, most importantly, how you value your own time. Many Instacart drivers still believe that accepting every order is the key to earning more. In reality, it is the opposite. Low-paying orders drain energy, reduce your hourly average, and limit your chances of receiving truly valuable opportunities.
Bad orders slow you down more than they pay you
Accepting $7 orders for long distances might seem like a way to keep working. In practice, it is silent sabotage of profitability. The more cheap orders you complete, the more the algorithm assumes you will take anything and starts sending you even worse requests.
According to the Rideshare Guy Economic Report (2023), drivers who filter for a minimum of $15 per orderincrease their hourly average by up to 48%.
Even so, many drivers still feel pressured to accept everything, fearing that rejections could hurt their accounts. The opposite happens: less available time, more physical strain, and even a lower reputation within the platform.
(Drivers who filter orders with a $15 minimum increase their hourly average by up to 48%) – RSG Economic Report, 2023
The invisible impact of cheap orders
Beyond the financial loss, there is an emotional toll. Driving long distances for small payouts creates the feeling of always chasing stability but never reaching it. That harms not only earnings but also mental health. Cheap orders often bring extra problems: faraway supermarkets, customers less likely to tip, and wasted time in long lines. All of this lowers the overall quality of the workday.
💡 The real strategy is not to accept everything, but to learn to reject what is not worth it.
Automate to filter what really matters
This is where Nexo Go technology comes in. The ShopperX system allows drivers to set exactly which orders they want to receive. Imagine programming it to only accept orders above $15 or no farther than 4 miles away.
✅ More time for truly profitable deliveries
✅ Less physical strain in stores and on the road
✅ Greater financial stability during the day
✅ A stronger profile within Instacart’s algorithm
While platforms like DoorDash also allow similar strategies, the key advantage of Nexo Go is that ShopperX was built specifically for Instacart, offering precision in order capture and flexibility in settings.
"You don’t need to accept everything. You need to know what your time is worth.”
A strategy that becomes routine
Using automation is not only about earning more but about earning better. Drivers who use ShopperX avoid bad orders, build stronger reputations, and become favorites within the algorithm. This positive cycle delivers visible results: premium orders, bigger tips, and less downtime. Instead of being a driver who takes everything, you become a professional who values their own work. That is the difference between those who barely survive and those who thrive in the gig economy.
Avoiding low-paying orders requires courage, but the rewards come quickly. Drivers who make smart choices build lighter, more stable, and more profitable routines. At the end of the day, it is not about working harder but about working smarter. And in this landscape, Nexo Go automation becomes an essential ally for anyone aiming to increase income without sacrificing time and energy.
References
The Rideshare Guy. (2023). Rideshare Guy Economic Report 2023: Gig economy trends and insights.
Gridwise. (2023). Gridwise Data Report 2023: Driver earnings and market analysis.
TechCrunch. (2023). How driver performance impacts delivery app algorithms.
AppJobs Institute. (2024). Small orders, bigger profits: How gig workers optimize efficiency.
