according to (someone's or something's) (own) merits

Objectively based on or due to someone's or something's actual qualities, actions, etc. (as opposed to other, less objective factors). I can assure you that she didn't get the job because she is the CEO's daughter—she was judged according to her own merits. Casey's a terrible dancer, so there's no way she got the lead role according to her merits. Our publishing house just accepted that manuscript according to its own merits. We truly did not know it was written by Stephen King!