Photo: Mike Beltzner / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0, cropped

Instacart for beginners: how to get started step by step

By FastBuySale Newsroom · 9 Nov 2026 · 12m ago

Is Instacart shopping right for you?

Instacart shoppers pick groceries and household items in stores and deliver them to customers, or prepare them for pickup. The work is flexible: you choose when to log in and which batches to accept. It suits people who know their local stores, enjoy shopping efficiently and are comfortable carrying heavy bags and dealing with customers by chat. As with other app-based work, earnings vary, and full-service shoppers cover their own vehicle costs and taxes.

This guide follows the steps Instacart describes for new shoppers and explains how pay works, based on Instacart's shopper pages and help center. Details vary by area and change over time.

Step 1: choose a role

Full-service shoppers both shop and deliver orders. They are independent contractors who choose their hours and use their own vehicle. In-store shopper roles, where available, involve picking orders inside a particular store for pickup or for delivery by others, and some have been offered as part-time employee roles. Availability of each role depends on your area. Most new shoppers start as full-service shoppers.

Step 2: check the requirements

Instacart says full-service shoppers must be at least 18, legally authorised to work in the US, have a reliable vehicle, and pass criminal and motor vehicle record background checks. You also need a valid driver's licence, insurance and a smartphone with the shopper app. Some batches include heavy items such as cases of water, so being able to lift them matters.

Step 3: sign up in the shopper app

Download the Instacart Shopper app and enter your name, email, phone number and location. You will add your vehicle details, upload your licence and agree to background checks. Instacart then reviews your application. Approval time varies with demand and how quickly checks clear.

Step 4: get your payment card and set up pay

Instacart provides a payment card, physical or in-app, that shoppers use to pay for customers' orders at the store. Make sure it is activated before your first batch. Then add your bank account for weekly direct deposit. Once you meet the conditions, you can use instant cashout to move earnings to a debit card for a fee.

Step 5: learn the app

Explore the app before accepting work. Find the batch list, the earnings estimates, the shopping list layout, the chat with customers, the replacement tools and the help section. Understanding how to scan items, mark items as found or not found and suggest replacements will make your first batch much smoother.

Step 6: choose your first batch

Batches show the store, the number of items and units, the delivery distance and estimated earnings, including any tip the customer has added. Start with a small batch at a store you know, close to home. Avoid large orders with dozens of heavy items until you have practised. Accepting fewer, better batches often pays better per hour than accepting everything.

Step 7: shop the order

Follow the list, which is usually sorted by store area. Check each item's size, brand and expiry dates, and choose fresh produce carefully. When an item is out of stock, use the app to suggest a replacement based on the customer's preferences or ask the customer through chat. Clear, friendly messages lead to better ratings and tips.

Step 8: check out and deliver

Pay with the Instacart card at the checkout, photograph the receipt if asked and pack cold and frozen items together. Drive to the customer's address and follow their instructions, such as leaving bags at the door or handing them over. For alcohol, check that the recipient is 21 or older with valid ID. Mark the order as delivered in the app.

How batch pay and tips work

Instacart says shopper earnings are made up of batch pay, customer tips and any promotions or incentives. Batch pay is calculated from factors such as the number of items, the distance and the effort involved. Customers can tip when they place the order and can change the tip afterwards within the time limits. Instacart says 100% of customer tips go to shoppers.

Worked example: first-week earnings

Chris completes eight batches in his first week, mostly in the evenings. His batch pay totals $96, tips total $88 and a weekend promotion adds $15, for $199. He drives 140 miles. At 28 miles per gallon and $3.40 a gallon, fuel costs about $17. He estimates $15 for wear and maintenance. His pre-tax profit is about $167 for 11 hours, or about $15 an hour. He notes that two large batches took longer than expected and resolves to check item counts more carefully. The fuel cost calculator on this site helps with similar estimates.

Ratings and quality

Customers rate orders, and Instacart tracks measures such as ratings and order accuracy. Good ratings help you access batches. Quick communication about replacements, careful handling of eggs and fragile items and on-time delivery all help.

Tips for a smooth start

- Learn the layout of two or three local stores.

- Keep insulated bags in your car for cold items.

- Message customers early about replacements.

- Check the receipt before leaving the store.

- Take photos when leaving orders at the door.

Taxes and records

Full-service shoppers are independent contractors. You owe income tax and self-employment tax on net earnings of $400 or more. Instacart issues tax forms where thresholds are met, but you must report all earnings. Keep a mileage log for business miles, including drives to stores and customers, and records of costs such as phone and insulated bags. Setting aside a share of each payment helps cover quarterly estimated taxes.

Common beginner mistakes

- Accepting large, heavy batches before learning the app.

- Forgetting to activate the payment card.

- Choosing replacements without asking customers.

- Not tracking mileage.

- Using instant cashout for every small balance.

Handling replacements well

Out-of-stock items are part of almost every batch. When an item is missing, check nearby shelves and the store's backroom if staff can help, then look at the customer's replacement preference. If the customer chose a specific replacement, use it. If they let you choose, pick the closest match in size, brand and price, and message them with a photo. If they asked for a refund, mark the item as not found. Customers appreciate a quick message such as "The 12-pack is out, there is an 18-pack of the same brand for a little more, would you like that or a refund?"

Managing your time in store

Large stores can be slow to navigate. Learn where frequently ordered items are, shop frozen and chilled items last and use a trolley that fits the order. For double batches, keep items for each customer separate, using the app's tools to assign items. Checking out quickly and loading the car methodically saves minutes on every batch, which adds up over a week.

Planning when to shop

Demand tends to rise in the late morning, around midday and in the early evening, as well as on weekends and before holidays. Bad weather often increases orders. Many shoppers log in at regular times and learn which stores in their area post the most batches. Being available when demand is high usually leads to better choices of batches.

Getting help from support

The shopper app has a help section and support chat for problems such as a declined payment card, a customer who cannot be reached or an incorrect address. Use it rather than guessing, and keep notes of any issues in case of questions later.

Your first month review

After four weeks, add up batch pay, tips, promotions, miles and costs. Divide your net figure by the hours from accepting batches to finishing deliveries. Compare stores and times to find the most profitable patterns, and adjust when and where you log in.

Safety

Use the app's safety features, park in well-lit areas and do not enter customers' homes. If a delivery location feels unsafe, contact support through the app.

This guide is general information, is not affiliated with Instacart and is not financial or tax advice.

💬 Join the discussion on this article →

🔴 LIVE · Instacart: all 4 stories →

More in Jobs · Trending News · Browse local deals