I think there's a factor that people are missing when they try to define these gig workers: marketability -- who directly benefits from the reputation from cust

I think there's a factor that people are missing when they try to define these gig workers: marketability -- who directly benefits from the reputation from customers if a worker does a good job? If the worker does a good job does that impact their marketability -- enable repeat customers and advertising for them specifically (such as via word of mouth) or does it reflect more on the company they are "contracted" to? In the case of Uber and Lift and Instacart, the platform practically prohibits customers from preferring certain providers that have provided good service in the past, so all of the reputation goes to the platform provider. Things would be a lot fuzzier if these platforms provided matching services and would depend on how competitive these markets effectively are. The market for transportation from point A to point B with pickup in the next 10 minutes is inherently limited by providers that can be at point A in the next 10 minutes, so this market may not be competitive for all sources and destinations. In general, contractors should not be interacting with their hiring company's customers on the company's behalf. Only employees should represent the company, since the benefits of those interactions reflect on the company and not on the worker performing the interaction.