Our approach to ranking
When a user opens the Mealio app, restaurants are displayed in an order determined by an algorithm that combines several objective criteria. This algorithm aims to present first the establishments most likely to match the user's needs at the time of their search.
The default display order is not influenced by payments or commercial consideration from partner restaurants. No restaurant can buy a position in the organic ranking.
Ranking criteria
Relevance
The algorithm analyzes how well the user's query or preferences match the restaurant's offering. Restaurants whose dish categories, cuisine, name or keywords match the search performed gain greater visibility in the results. This factor is decisive for text-based or filtered searches.
Geographic distance
The proximity between the user's location and the restaurant establishment is taken into account. Restaurants located a short distance away enjoy a natural advantage in the ranking, as this makes access and order pickup easier. Distance is calculated as the crow flies and by road, based on the available mapping data.
Popularity
A restaurant's popularity is measured by the volume of orders placed over a recent rolling window. This signal reflects the trust of the user community and favors the most sought-after restaurants. Mealio ensures that this criterion does not create an excessive concentration effect to the detriment of new entrants on the platform.
Customer ratings and reviews
The average rating given by customers after their orders is factored into the ranking calculation. Only verified reviews, submitted by users who actually placed an order, are taken into account. Mealio applies statistical weighting to smooth ratings based on small review volumes, in order to avoid a biased ranking for recently listed establishments.
Availability and opening hours
A restaurant that is currently open and able to accept orders is highlighted over an establishment that is closed or temporarily unavailable. The reliability with which declared hours are honored, that is, the order acceptance rate during open time slots, is also part of the calculation.
Service quality
This criterion aggregates several operational reliability indicators: order cancellation rate, frequency of reported incidents (incorrect orders, missing items, quality issues), responsiveness to customer complaints and satisfactory resolution rate. A restaurant with a track record of quality service benefits from better positioning.
Preparation time
The estimated and actually observed preparation time influences the ranking. Mealio compares the time announced by the restaurant with real data from past orders. Establishments that honor their preparation-time commitments, and offer competitive times, gain greater visibility.
Active promotions
Restaurants offering active promotional deals (discount on the first order, loyalty offers, special menus) may benefit from a slight ranking advantage in certain display contexts, notably on the home page or in the 'Current Offers' sections. These highlights are clearly identified by a distinct visual marker.
Sponsored placements (commercial promotion)
In addition to the organic ranking, Mealio offers partner restaurants the option to purchase distinct promotional placements. These placements are clearly identifiable by the Sponsored label or an equivalent tag.
These placements are strictly separated from the organic ranking and do not alter the relevance logic described in the previous section. They appear in dedicated areas that are clearly delimited visually (top banner, 'Featured' sections).
Restaurants that do not have any sponsored placement suffer no penalty in their organic ranking.
Weighting and evolution of the algorithm
The criteria presented above are combined in a ranking algorithm whose relative weighting may change over time, based on improvements made to the platform and on feedback from users and partners. The ongoing objective is to optimize relevance for the user while ensuring fair treatment of partner restaurants.
Mealio undertakes to notify its restaurant partners of any substantial change to the main ranking parameters, in accordance with the obligations imposed by Regulation (EU) 2019/1150 on platform-to-business relations (P2B Regulation). This notice is provided by email at least thirty (30) days before the change takes effect.
Regulatory compliance
This transparency page is published in compliance with:
Regulation (EU) 2019/1150, Platform-to-Business (P2B)
This regulation requires online intermediation platforms to publish a clear and comprehensible description of the main parameters determining their ranking, as well as the reasons for the relative importance of those parameters.
Regulation (EU) 2022/2065, Digital Services Act (DSA)
The DSA strengthens the transparency obligations of online platforms toward users, particularly with regard to recommendation and ranking systems.
French Law No. 2018-493, ELAN Law and Commercial Code
The national provisions transposing the European obligations regarding platform fairness and transparency of general terms and conditions.
Remedies for restaurant partners
Any restaurant partner who believes that its ranking does not faithfully reflect its actual performance, or who contests a Mealio decision regarding its listing, may pursue the following remedies:
- Contact Mealio partner support through the restaurant portal for any request to explain the ranking
- Request mediation with the mediator appointed by Mealio in accordance with the P2B Regulation
- Refer the matter to the competent courts in the event of an unresolved dispute
For any question regarding ranking or listing, partners can contact: contact@mealio.fr