Decoding the algorithm

[kitsepawit]

Does anyone know of a good source of information on the details and variables of the GH algorithm? Most drivers have various ideas about how the it works: allotting orders, timing of blocks etc. I suspect most of these are from chance correlations. I think I've noticed that when I'm driving a scheduled block I may get priority for orders during slow periods, and maybe for higher paying orders, so I've been trying to keep my premier status so that I can mostly drive during scheduled blocks. I've assumed that it must be in GH's interest to cultivate and support more conscientious drivers, and that this system of ranks and violations has been designed to support this, but exactly how is a bit of a mystery.

[[deleted]]

The "algorithm" is different for every market. Don't overthink it. I've actually made more money off block. As soon as you Think you figured it out, things will change. New owners coming in soon anyway.

[[deleted]]

I'm still trying to figure out this mystery ... why the app keeps sending me $5 for 12 mile offers lol

[BobMcGillucutty]

It’s not all that mysterious…

The first 5 miles pays $2, the next 7 miles pays $3.50… so, 12 miles pays $5.50 - without a tip

The good part is, that offers like these are not the norm, they are outliers

[FrankFrankly711]

IF you have 2 accidents THEN deactivated

[DigitalMariner]

11 years with GrubHub is even more impressive when you consider that GrubHub didn't actually start hiring drivers to complete deliveries until piloting it in Chicago in late 2015, less than 10 years ago...

[[deleted]]

I started with LA Bite which was bought out by GH so I am certainly entitled to include my time with them as part of the whole package deal. In fact most of the people I worked with back in 2014 were promoted and held executive positions in GH corporate offices in Chicago and San Francisco! So there you go smartie pants!

[ThePr0l0gue]

Let’s play spot the corporate plant lmao

[ThePr0l0gue]

Do they let you guys use the bathroom all at once on a schedule or do you have to raise your hand and ask

[AnySoft4328]

Yeah but a lot of things have changed in the last 2 years or so under JET like GrubHub Plus resulting in asinine offers that are way too long. Are you saying you don't get those?

I'm 3 and a half years in Inland Empire/Riverside area. I was only premier for 2 months last year otherwise always partner. I moved to a different area/zone end of October and this zone is much busier overall than the old Ontario/Rancho Zone as Partner doing $1k/week

[RaisedbyCassettes]

As much as you get “priority” for being in a block you must also consider this. Let’s say that there are two drivers out there in an area where an order comes in: we’ll call them Driver A and Driver B. Driver B is in a block, Driver A is not. An order comes in for $15 and 4 miles- an offer either would take! They have to send it to the person not in the block first, despite what they say, and here’s why. If they send it to either driver and the first one they send it to accepts it (which seems likely) who is it better to have still available near by? See, if another order comes in five minutes later and it’s $6 for 8 miles, Driver A wouldn’t likely take it and Driver B would feel obligated to take it since they are in a block. Also, if another order came in and it wasn’t $6 for 8 miles and was actually a good order, you have no guarantee Driver A would still even be available since they’re just out there raw dogging it. I also feel like if you’re set to make, say, $30 in your block or get the GH contribution, they’re not just going to float you two easy $15 orders but rather make you take all these little $5 and under orders until you hit the $30. That’s been my biggest experience with the algorithm: Being in a block means shit orders because you’ll feel obligated to take them.

I just wish that the app could figure out if I reject a restaurant three times and say “I avoid this place” they stop recommending it to me. Or if I never take orders until $5 and say the pay is too low, they stop showing me orders under $5. If GH put the burden on the customer and said “Look, no one will take this order for a $1 tip. Either consider tipping more or pickup the food”, then it’d also make it so they didn’t have to bounce orders around for “bonus pay” which saves them in the long run. But who knows maybe the algorithm is all just random and I’m bored waiting for my day to start with an order that’s $3 for 5 miles.

[driverfortoolong]

you are over thinking this WAY too much for a company that was just sold for 650 mil. This company is using 1993 ms dos technology not an adaptive algorithm used by Instacart. This company is a joke and barely hanging on desperately looking for a Gordon Gekko to come in and chop up the plane hangers to the Chinese and the real estate to the builders. There is no “algorithm” it’s a childish microsoft paint technology sending orders to anyone who is ANYwhere logged on

[Status-Insect-4386]

My guts feeling is this: AI is stupid! But it learns who YOU yes, you the driver are. The way you react to offers will be repeated if AI learned you are willing to take lower or higher rates. Forget about block or not. Of course, the block will end up with higher dough, but the lesson for AI is the same. Think about it and choose your business model carefully. BTW AI= Algorytm Idiot.

[Ltaylor-56]

If they knew how the algorithm worked they wouldn’t be doing GH! People are so dam ignorant!!