Instacart Shopper referral code BEAN85579C
By Sejal Singh · Updated July 2026 · 9 min read
Type it in when you sign up as a new Instacart Shopper in the US or Canada. That's what claims the current new-shopper sign-up bonus for your area.
- Works for new Full-Service & In-Store shopper sign-ups
- Bonus lands after you finish your first batches
- Free to use. No cost, and there's no discount code to hunt down
At a glance
Instacart Shopper referral: the quick facts
| Referral code | BEAN85579C |
|---|---|
| Who it's for | Brand-new Instacart Shoppers in the US and Canada |
| Roles | Full-Service (shop and deliver, car needed) or In-Store (shop only, no car) |
| What the bonus is worth | Set by Instacart and varies by market. Commonly reported around $200 to $750+. Your app shows your real figure |
| How you earn it | Finish a set number of batches, often 30 batches in 30 days, inside the promotion window |
| Where to enter it | The referral or promo field during sign-up, before you finish |
| When it pays | Added to your regular pay after you hit the target, usually the next pay cycle |
| Cost to you | Nothing. The code is free and doesn't lower your pay |
| Last verified | July 2026 |
How to claim
Get the bonus in 3 steps
Enter the code right at the start so it attaches to your account. Add it later and it usually won't stick.
Start your sign-up and enter BEAN85579C
Open the official Instacart Shopper sign-up, pick Full-Service or In-Store, and paste referral code BEAN85579C into the referral field. Not sure where that field is? Here's exactly where to enter the code.
Get approved (ID + background check)
You'll verify your identity and clear the Checkr background check. Going Full-Service means you also add a vehicle. This is how long the background check takes.
Complete your first batches, then get paid
Knock out the number of batches the promotion asks for before the window closes. Our 30 batches in 30 days guide walks through the pace. The bonus stacks on top of your batch pay and tips.
Before you apply
Who can become a shopper?
- Be at least 18 (age of majority in your province or state)
- A recent iPhone or Android smartphone with data
- Able to lift up to ~50 lbs. Picture a Sam's Club run with two cases of water, a bag of dog food, and a watermelon. That's why the rule exists
- Valid government ID and a bank account for direct deposit
- Pass a background check
- Full-Service: a reliable vehicle and insurance. In-Store: no car needed
See the full requirements · What disqualifies you · Do it without a car
Pick your role
Full-Service vs In-Store shopper
| Feature | Full-Service Shopper | In-Store Shopper |
|---|---|---|
| What you do | Shop and deliver | Shop and stage orders in one store |
| Vehicle | Required | Not required |
| Schedule | Fully flexible, on demand | Set shifts (part-time) |
| Pay | Per batch + 100% of tips | Hourly (W-2 in many areas) |
| Referral bonus | Yes | Usually full-service only |
Get it right
Common myths vs what's actually true
A lot of outdated or plain wrong info floats around about the shopper bonus. Here's the straight version.
| You might have heard | What's actually true |
|---|---|
| The code pays a fixed amount, like a flat $500 | The bonus is set by Instacart and moves by market and season. Your app shows your real figure |
| You get the bonus the moment you sign up | No. You earn it after finishing the batch target inside the window, then it lands on your pay |
| You can add the code after you apply | Almost never. It has to attach at sign-up, so enter it before you finish |
| In-Store shoppers get the referral bonus too | Usually not. The referral bonus is generally a Full-Service thing |
| You need a car to be any kind of shopper | Only Full-Service needs a car. In-Store is shop-only with no driving |
| Instacart takes a cut of your tips | No. You keep 100% of customer tips on top of batch pay |
The money
How much do Instacart Shoppers make?
You're paid per batch, plus every dollar of the customer's tip. What you actually clear swings with your city, the time of day, how big the batch is and how fast you move. Roughly, active-hour pay tends to land somewhere around $10 to $25, but that's a loose estimate, not a promise.
Per batch
Batch pay tracks the items, the weight and the distance. Bigger, farther batches pay more. Tips come on top of that.
Earnings breakdown →First week
Your first week usually pays less. You're still learning the stores and building a rating. Here's what to realistically expect.
First-week pay →Is it worth it?
A straight go or no-go call, with real net-pay math once gas and expenses come out.
Worth it in 2026? →Earn smarter
How to size up a batch before you accept
Not every batch is worth taking. Before you tap accept, weigh the pay against the work. A quick gut check keeps your hourly rate healthy.
- Pay vs items. A $20 batch with 40 items can eat an hour. A $15 batch with 15 items might take 20 minutes, so the smaller one often pays better by the hour
- Distance. A long delivery burns gas and time. Count the drive back too, since you're not paid to return
- The store. A store you know is fast. A giant warehouse you've never walked is slow, so the pay needs to make up for it
- Heavy or awkward items. Cases of water, bags of soil, and flats of soda wear you down and eat time
- Tip showing. A visible tip is a good sign, though remember customers can adjust it for a short while after delivery
More on this in why you're not getting batches and what your first week really pays.
Go deeper
Popular Instacart Shopper guides
The stuff new and waiting shoppers actually search for, answered in plain English.
Answers
Instacart Shopper referral FAQ
What is the Instacart Shopper referral code?
It's BEAN85579C. You type it in during new-shopper sign-up, and that's what qualifies you for the current sign-up bonus in your market.
Where do I enter code BEAN85579C?
While you're signing up as a Shopper, put BEAN85579C in the referral or promo code field before you finish. Our step-by-step walkthrough shows the exact screen.
How much is the sign-up bonus, roughly?
It's set by Instacart and moves around a lot. Guides commonly report figures from about $200 in shopper-heavy markets up to $750 or more where shoppers are scarce. Treat that as a ballpark. The real number is whatever your Shopper app shows when you sign up. See bonus terms.
Does code BEAN85579C work in both the US and Canada?
Yes. It's for new shoppers on both sides of the border. The bonus amount and any qualifying batches change by market, so confirm the offer in the app as you sign up.
Does referral code BEAN85579C expire, and how many people can use it?
The code itself doesn't expire, and it isn't locked to one person, so there's no cap on how many new shoppers can enter BEAN85579C. It's good whenever you're ready to sign up. What does run on a clock is the bonus challenge after you join: you finish the batch target inside your promo window, often framed as 30 batches in 30 days. You also get one shot to add the code, at sign-up, since it can't be applied later. So the deadline sits on the batches, not on the code.
Is there a sign-up bonus without a referral code?
Usually not. The new-shopper bonus is triggered by a referral, so the code is what links your application to the offer in the first place. Sign up with no code and there's normally nothing to claim afterward, and you can't tack one on later. That's the whole reason to type BEAN85579C into the referral field before you finish the form.
Do I have to complete 30 batches in 30 days?
Plenty of markets set it up that way: a batch target, often 30, inside a window, often 30 days. Your app shows the real target and deadline. Our 30 in 30 guide breaks it down.
What exactly is a batch?
A batch is one job in the app: usually one customer order, sometimes two, that you shop and, for Full-Service, deliver. You're paid per batch plus the tip.
Can I add the referral code after I sign up?
Usually no. The code has to attach at sign-up. If you already got going without one, you generally can't tack it on afterward. See code not working.
Does the bonus apply to in-store shoppers or only full-service?
It's typically a full-service thing. In-store roles run hourly and usually aren't eligible for the referral bonus.
Do I need a car to qualify?
Only Full-Service, where you shop and deliver, needs a vehicle, and that's the role that usually qualifies for the bonus. In-Store shoppers don't need a car. See doing Instacart without a car.
Is there an interview to become a shopper?
No. There's no sit-down interview. You apply in the app, verify your ID, pass a background check, and start accepting batches once you're approved.
How does the shopper waitlist work?
If your area already has enough shoppers, Instacart puts you on a waitlist and emails you when a spot opens. It's usually a few weeks, though nobody can give you an exact date. See how long the waitlist takes.
Does the background check include my driving record?
For Full-Service, yes. Because you drive to deliver, the check also pulls your motor vehicle record. Not every mark is a dealbreaker; Instacart weighs how serious and how recent it is. See the background check guide.
Can I still get the bonus if I had an account before?
The bonus is for brand-new shoppers. Had an Instacart shopper account in the past? You probably won't qualify. Check the offer in the app to be sure.
Can I shop part-time or on weekends only?
Yes. Full-Service has no set shifts, so you work whenever you want, including weekends only. In-Store roles are scheduled part-time shifts.
When does the bonus get paid out?
Once you finish the required batches inside the window, it's added to your normal pay, usually in a following pay cycle. Exact timing depends on your market.
Do I owe taxes on the sign-up bonus?
Generally yes. As an independent contractor, your bonus and batch pay count as income and nothing is withheld, so set some aside. This is general info, not tax advice. See taxes.
Do Instacart Shoppers keep 100% of tips?
Yes, all of it is yours. Customers can adjust a tip for a short window after delivery. See tip baiting explained.
How do I pick batches that are actually worth it?
Weigh the pay against the items, the distance and the store. A smaller order close by often beats a huge one far away. See how to size up a batch above.
Does using a referral code cost me anything or lower my pay?
No. BEAN85579C is free. It doesn't shave your pay or the bonus you're eligible for. All it does is link your sign-up to the new-shopper offer.
How long until I can start earning after I apply?
For most people it's a few days to about a week. Once your ID verification and background check clear, you can start accepting batches.
Is there a minimum age?
Yes. You have to be at least 18, or the age of majority where you live. See age requirement.
Is this an official Instacart website?
No. This is an independent guide by Sejal Singh. We're not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Instacart. We may earn a referral reward if you sign up with the code. Instacart alone decides eligibility and bonus terms.
Before you start
Three things new shoppers wish they knew
The first week pays less, and that's fine. You're still learning the stores and building a rating. Speed and pay both climb once the layout stops being a puzzle.
Bring bags and a charger. Insulated bags keep cold items safe and protect your rating. A car charger keeps the app alive through a long shift. Small stuff, big difference.
Enter the code at sign-up, not after. The bonus attaches at registration. Add BEAN85579C when you first apply, because tacking it on later usually isn't possible.
Why trust this guide
How we keep this accurate
This is an independent guide, not Instacart. Every hard fact here is checked against Instacart's official shopper pages, then written in plain English by Sejal Singh. Where a number moves around, like the bonus amount or your hourly pay, we say so and point you to the app instead of quoting a figure we can't promise. Pages carry a "verified" date so you can see how fresh the info is. When Instacart changes something, we update the page and the date.
We make money if you sign up as a new shopper with code BEAN85579C and go on to qualify. That's the whole model. It doesn't cost you a cent or change your bonus, and we disclose it on every page.
Sources
Where to confirm everything yourself
- Official Instacart Shopper sign-up, where you apply and see your real offer
- Instacart Help Center for official policies on pay, ratings and requirements
- The bonus tracker inside your own Shopper app, which always beats anything you read online, including here
Ready to start earning?
Kick off your Instacart Shopper sign-up and enter referral code BEAN85579C to lock in the new-shopper bonus.
Start sign-up with BEAN85579C →