Roadie utilizes an archaic algorithm that was originally developed when Roadie was a long-distance trucker app. The developers appear to be oblivious to the fact that most gig platforms are in real time. You see a delivery you want and you snatch it before someone else does. Roadie doesn’t work that way.
Roadie requires you to submit an “offer” on a delivery. It might take anywhere from 3 minutes to an hour to know whether your offer was accepted. Yes it’s total bullshit but that’s the way Roadie works. Once you put in for a gig it will change to “offer submitted.” That’s when the waiting game begins to see if you were accepted.
So, how does Roadie’s algorithm determine who is accepted for a gig? That’s where the mystery begins. No one really knows anything about Roadie’s algorithm. In the limited documentation it provides, Roadie states that gig acceptance is based on several factors including:
- Vehicle Size
- Time of Day
- Past Delivery Preferences
- What You Are Currently Delivering
In addition to the above, Roadie states that it’s algorithm also takes into consideration the following driver metrics:
- Driver Ratings
- On-Time Arrival Rate For Pickups
- On-Time Arrival Rate For Deliveries
- Cancellation History
- Gig Types You’ve Bid On In The Past
Once you open the Roadie app, you’ll understand why the 5 metrics mentioned above are such a mystery. Roadie doesn’t display four of these metrics in the app. Nowhere in the app or in your account can you find your on-time arrival rates, cancellation rate, or history of gig types you bid on. Your driver rating is shown on your driver profile but the only way to know the other metrics is to contact Roadie support.
Here’s where Roadie’s lack of decent documentation creates further confusion over gig matching. Their documentation states, “What you’re currently driving also affects what Gigs you are matched on next. There’s a higher chance you’ll be matched with a Gig if you’re not currently driving a delivery.” That indicates that you might have a chance of being accepted for a gig if you’re not currently already delivering a gig. BUT WAIT! Roadie offers add-on gigs. If you’re on the way to deliver and another gig pops up going in the same direction, you’re supposed to be offered that gig before anyone else!
In addition to the skimpy details mentioned above, we Admins who regularly do Roadie would like to add that Roadie Badges and the direction in which you are traveling factor into Roadie’s algorithm. Roadie states that drivers who are already heading in the direction of the pickup or close to the pickup location have a “higher likelihood” of being accepted for the gig. Roadie then reminds drivers that at a pickup location does not guarantee that you’ll be accepted for the gig. When there are 8 drivers sitting in the parking lot at Home Depot, none of them may be matched for the gig.
Roadie’s documentation details what it refers to as Past Driving Experience. If you only deliver in the morning, you’re more likely to be matched for morning gigs. If you’re super speedy and have the Rapid Roadie badge, you’re more likely to be matched for deliveries that must be picked up ASAP.
In explanation of the 5 metrics that Roadie takes into considering for gig matching, it explains each metric as follows:
Driver Ratings – Roadie specifically says if you have a 5-star rating, you’re going to be rewarded for it. Low ratings may put you on their shit list and temporarily prevent you from being matched for a gig.
On-Time Arrival Rate – Consistently arriving on time at the pickup or drop-off location may earn you brownie points with Roadie’s algorithm.
Cancellation Rate – Having too many cancellations may prompt an internal review by Roadie. Some drivers have no idea what they’re doing and grab gigs based on the pay. If you don’t know how to view the items in an order, don’t put in for the gig. Repeatedly cancelling gigs because the items won’t fit in your vehicle is a surefire way to be deactivated.
Vehicle Size – Roadie’s algorithm takes into consideration whether the items in an order will fit in your vehicle. Even though it’s tempting to list your Toyota Corolla as a pickup truck just to snag higher paying gigs, don’t do it. Cancel too many gigs and you’ll be deactivated.
Gig Types You’ve Bid On In The Past – Here’s where seasoned drivers will usually have preference over the newbies. If you’ve never bid on a Home Depot order and six drivers who regularly do Home Depot orders put in for the gig, one of them will most likely get the gig. You have to start somewhere, even if it means taking a crappy $18 small delivery going 38 miles. It’s the only way to build your gig history with that particular pickup location or store.
Roadie’s algorithm should be considered a blank slate. You write information on that slate based on the types of gigs you successfully complete, the size of the vehicle you drive, how often you arrive on time, the times of day that you drive, the stores you’ve taken deliveries from. the ratings you receive, and many more factors. Roadie then compares your slated history to those of other drivers in determining who gets each gig that pops up. Is there a way to beat the algorithm? No but understanding what it’s looking at within your metrics and gig history is the best way to improve your chances of being accepted for gigs.
In this article twice we mentioned Roadie Badges. Roadie awards badges based on certain criteria. Roadie badges are such a mystery and so unknown to most drivers, we created a lengthy article on the badges. Be sure to read our Article – Roadie Badges Explained.
