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How to Get a Pokéstop at Your Business: A Comprehensive Guide

Getting a Pokéstop at your business can significantly boost foot traffic, attract new customers, and inject a bit of fun into the everyday. While the official process is indirect and relies on the community, understanding the mechanics and focusing on creating a compelling location is key. Essentially, your business needs to become a point of interest worthy of being nominated, reviewed, and ultimately approved within Niantic’s location database, which feeds into Pokémon GO and other Niantic games.

Understanding the Pokéstop Ecosystem

Before diving into the ‘how-to,’ it’s crucial to understand how Niantic populates its games with Points of Interest (POI). These POIs aren’t randomly generated; they’re based on a combination of community submissions, historical data, and algorithmic filtering. The process involves several layers:

Submissions: Players with a sufficiently high level in Niantic games like Pokémon GO or Ingress Prime can submit locations they believe meet the criteria for a POI.
Niantic Wayfarer Review: Submissions enter the Niantic Wayfarer system, where experienced players (also known as Wayfarers) review the submissions based on specific guidelines. They assess the location’s historical significance, architectural uniqueness, safety, and pedestrian accessibility.
Algorithm and Niantic’s Discretion: Even if a location receives a high rating from Wayfarers, Niantic reserves the right to reject or approve the location based on its internal algorithms and considerations. This includes preventing clustering of Pokéstops, considering real-world restrictions, and maintaining overall game balance.
Game Integration: Approved POIs are then integrated into Niantic’s games based on proximity rules, game-specific criteria, and other factors. Simply having a POI in Niantic’s database doesn’t guarantee it will appear as a Pokéstop in Pokémon GO.

Strategies to Increase Your Chances

While you can’t directly request a Pokéstop, you can influence the process significantly. Here’s a breakdown of effective strategies:

1. Make Your Business a Worthy Location

This is the most fundamental aspect. Your business needs to be genuinely interesting or useful to the community. Consider these aspects:

Unique Architecture or Design: Does your building have an interesting facade, historical significance, or unusual design features? Highlight these in any potential submission.
Public Art or Murals: If your business displays public art, sculptures, or murals, it becomes a prime candidate. These features are often easily approved.
Historical Significance: If your business has a history or is located in a historically significant area, document it and ensure it’s publicly accessible (e.g., through a plaque or a sign).
Community Gathering Spot: Does your business function as a community hub? A parklet outside, a community board, or a location for local events can all contribute to its appeal.
Safety and Accessibility: Ensure the location is safe, well-lit, and easily accessible to pedestrians. Niantic prioritizes locations that are safe for players to visit.

2. Encourage Community Submissions

While you can’t submit your own business directly (as it’s generally against the rules), you can encourage local players to submit it. This can be achieved through:

Promotions and Contests: Offer discounts or perks to players who submit your business as a potential Pokéstop. Ensure they understand the submission guidelines.
Partnerships with Local Gaming Groups: Connect with local Pokémon GO or Ingress communities. Explain the benefits of having a Pokéstop at your location and encourage them to submit responsibly.
Signage and Awareness: Place signs or posters indicating that your business is a good location for a Pokéstop and suggesting players nominate it.
Engage with the Community: Be active on social media, respond to player inquiries, and create a welcoming environment for gamers.

3. Provide Excellent Supporting Information

When players submit your business, the quality of the submission significantly impacts its chances of approval. Encourage submitters to:

Use High-Quality Photos: Clear, well-lit photos that showcase the unique features of your business are essential.
Write a Detailed Description: A compelling description that highlights the location’s significance, history, or community value will greatly improve its chances.
Choose a Accurate Title: A clear and descriptive title, such as “The Historic Clocktower Cafe” or “Community Mural at The Blue Barn,” helps reviewers understand the location.
Select Relevant Categories: Choose the appropriate category for your business (e.g., “Historical Marker,” “Artwork,” “Park”) to help reviewers quickly assess its suitability.

4. Understand Niantic’s Criteria and Guidelines

Familiarize yourself with Niantic’s Wayfarer criteria. This is the single most important step. Wayfarers are trained to assess submissions based on these guidelines:

Historical or Cultural Significance: Does the location have a story to tell or represent a significant aspect of the community?
A Great Place to Exercise: Is the location a park, trail, or other outdoor space that encourages physical activity?
A Great Place to Socialize: Is the location a community gathering spot, a library, or a place where people connect?
Visually Unique or Interesting: Does the location have unique architecture, public art, or other visually appealing features?

Submissions that clearly align with these criteria have a higher chance of approval.

5. Persistence and Patience

The approval process can take time. Don’t be discouraged if your business isn’t immediately approved. Continue to improve your location, encourage community submissions, and ensure that any future submissions meet Niantic’s criteria.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I directly request a Pokéstop from Niantic for my business?

No, Niantic doesn’t accept direct requests for Pokéstops from businesses. The process is community-driven and relies on player submissions and reviews through the Niantic Wayfarer system.

2. What makes a good Pokéstop candidate?

A good candidate is a location that meets Niantic’s criteria for Points of Interest (POI). This includes historical significance, architectural uniqueness, visual appeal (e.g., public art), and being a community gathering spot. Accessibility and safety are also crucial.

3. How do I submit a location for a Pokéstop?

You can submit a location through Niantic’s games like Pokémon GO (at level 37) or Ingress Prime (at level 10) using the in-game nomination feature. High-quality photos, detailed descriptions, and accurate location data are crucial for a successful submission.

4. How long does it take for a Pokéstop submission to be reviewed?

The review process can vary greatly depending on the region and the backlog of submissions. It can take weeks, months, or even longer for a submission to be reviewed and potentially approved.

5. What is Niantic Wayfarer?

Niantic Wayfarer is a platform where experienced players (Wayfarers) review and rate Pokéstop submissions based on Niantic’s criteria. Wayfarers help ensure that only appropriate and high-quality locations are added to the game.

6. What if my Pokéstop submission is rejected?

If your submission is rejected, review the feedback and try to understand why. Common reasons for rejection include poor quality photos, insufficient descriptions, lack of historical or cultural significance, safety concerns, or proximity to other POIs. You can improve the location and resubmit it later.

7. Can I pay someone to get a Pokéstop at my business?

No, paying for Pokéstop placement is against Niantic’s terms of service and can result in penalties. The process is community-driven and relies on the merit of the location itself.

8. Does having a Pokéstop guarantee more customers?

While having a Pokéstop can increase foot traffic and attract new customers, there’s no guarantee of increased sales. It depends on various factors, including the attractiveness of your business, the local Pokémon GO player base, and your ability to capitalize on the increased traffic.

9. What are the rules about Pokéstop proximity?

Niantic has proximity rules to prevent clustering of Pokéstops. There’s a minimum distance requirement between Pokéstops, meaning that even if a location is approved as a POI, it might not appear as a Pokéstop if it’s too close to an existing one. The “Level 17 S2 Cell” rule is often referenced in online communities.

10. How can I improve the chances of my business being approved?

Focus on making your business a genuinely interesting and valuable location. This could involve adding public art, creating a community gathering space, highlighting historical aspects, or improving the overall aesthetic appeal of your business.

11. What is the difference between a Pokéstop and a Gym?

Pokéstops provide items when spun, while Gyms are locations where players can battle and train Pokémon. Gyms typically require more significant landmarks or locations with a higher level of community engagement. Conversion of a Pokéstop to a Gym is not something you can directly influence.

12. Are there any risks associated with having a Pokéstop?

While generally positive, having a Pokéstop can sometimes lead to increased loitering or littering. It’s important to maintain a clean and welcoming environment and address any potential issues promptly. Consider placing trash cans and signage to encourage responsible behavior.