Instacart is revolutionizing grocery shopping, turning a typical expense into a potential earning opportunity. Their new Store View tool, as reported by The Verge, allows shoppers to earn money by simply taking photos of store shelves.
This innovative program leverages the power of smartphone cameras, like those found on the Galaxy S25 Ultra, to capture real-time inventory data. Instacart uses these images to predict product restocking times, improving their delivery accuracy and efficiency. “If you place an order at night for early next-day delivery,” Instacart explains, “we can predict whether the item is likely to be back on the shelves when the store reopens, and then verify that information in the morning.”
Store View is set to launch with select retailers in the coming weeks, with plans to expand across the U.S. and Canada throughout the year. While payment details remain undisclosed, further information is expected as the program grows and includes more participating retailers.
The concept of earning money through smartphone photography isn’t new. Apps like Premise Data, Gigwalk, and Field Agent have long offered paid opportunities for users to complete tasks involving taking photos of products, locations, or reporting on merchandise availability. This gig-based work provides flexibility and supplemental income for those willing to perform simple tasks in their local areas.
Clickworker, another micro-task platform, offers similar opportunities. Users can earn money by completing various tasks, including photography assignments for businesses seeking to improve their marketing or gather competitive intelligence. Registration is free, and users can browse available tasks locally.
These platforms offer not just supplemental income, but also an engaging way to contribute to market research while exploring local communities. As the gig economy expands, the combination of technology and creativity continues to provide innovative ways to monetize everyday activities like photography.
Instacart’s Store View represents a new evolution in this space, seamlessly integrating earning potential into the everyday task of grocery shopping. As the program expands, it will be interesting to see how it impacts both shoppers and the grocery industry.
