Generic Business Criteria is no more?
HankWolfman-PGO
Posts: 3,667 ✭✭✭✭✭
As pointed out on reddit by @BaltiCalling-ING, the Wayfarer section of the Niantic helpshift site was updated a few hours ago, and it no longer lists generic business as a rejection criteria:
In contrast, the help page within Wayfarer itself still lists generic business as a rejection reason (and additionally the numbering system on this page is in need of fixing):
Can we please get some clarification on which of these sources is the correct one to abide by? And is there a reason why they don't display the same information despite the fact they're meant to be the same thing?
Comments
Perhaps some of the ambassadors could help fill us in, since I would assume Niantic surely would discuss such an important change with them... right??
@tehstone-ING @Gendgi-PGO @Tntnnbltn-ING @AgentMAenlight-Ambo @Traxi25-Ambo (idk the rest of them since they never seem to interact with the community)
Any of yall know anything about this?
From the december AMA:
Note that we plan to restructure the rejection reasons next year, as some no longer apply with the criteria refresh we did a year ago. For example, a rejection simply for being generic isn’t sufficient anymore, what is important is how interesting and relevant it is as a place worthy of adventuring out to.
Looks like Niantic resolved this and removed "generic business" from the Wayfarer help page itself.
Can't say I heard anything (figure of speech, I genuinely didn't) other than the same info you've seen in the past.
I'm interested in how we'll collectively reconcile this. On one hand, arguably a generic business such as Starbucks or Dairy Queen could be eligible in a small town or rural setting, but those are almost always nominated disingenuously, and I simply can't see reviewers accepting businesses such as those regardless of the situation.
Good to see it matches up now at least. Though the numbering going 1, 2, 7 still makes it look like they went to the same counting class that Microsoft did haha :P
They haven't changed it on the actual rejection criteria page within the criteria tab, which is where I assume most people (including new users) most often go to look at the guidelines:
Given that two of the three pages that house this information have now been changed, I assume the lack of a change on this page is just an oversight at this point. However, if Niantic truly is making updates/clarifications to the criteria, I feel like there is a lot more room for improvement than this change alone. Additionally, why was there no announcement of this change? This is a big change. How are long-time users supposed to know that this change has occurred?
Agreed with the Criteria page within Wayfarer site being the first point of information for Reviewers. I'm pretty new to this, and that's what I'm using as a guide on what to accept and reject.
Just had my first appeal rejection from Niantic with the reason 'generic business' so Niantic are still using that.
Don't think it was even relevent to the submission which had people socialising with drinks in the supporting picture but that's a story for another thread..
Niantic struck it from the rejection list, but it lives on in the hearts and minds of reviewers everywhere.
Sounds like you should challenge them on it given that they're using a rejection reason that they've banished from existence. That is really bizarre to be fair, but sounds about right for what I expect when it comes to Niantic.
I've seen Giffard overturn an appeal on here a few times. I agree with @HankWolfman-PGO . Post it on here. Even if it doesn't get overturned, maybe they'll at least make a note to talk to their staff about generic business.
It is a rare case but I would like to give a bit sharing. In Hong, Kong, the generic business was significantly abused. It was used in exercise facility, chess table, mural, street art, trail sign, tons of non-business stuffs was marked as generic business. And the “senior” wayfarer (OPR) community said Niantic can’t punish them since they all agree to do so.
I mean, this is literally the typical abusive behaviour.
Here's the generic business rejection statement as it relates to this thread, and the full Submission so the usual suspects can say it should have been rejected anyway :D
That all looks good to me.
I would've accepted that personally.
The new "Generic Business" seems to be "Inappropriate Location". I've been getting a slew of bad rejections lately, as near as I can tell most are due to my sin of nominating something that happens to be at a mall or plaza.
So a social club that rents space in a str.ip mall? rejected for "inappropriate location". A dance or karate studio that encourages socialization and exercise? "inappropriate location". A union hall, as in a place literally made to be where union members gather on the regular? "inappropriate location".
That rejection reason is intended for things like adult-only entertainment (gun shops, liquor stores, nekkid dancing), but not just because y'all think a place of business makes for a "gated community into which nobody can safely enter". Gah.
@NianticGiffard Should appeals be rejected for Generic Business when it is no longer a rejection criteria?
Local businesses that are considered long-standing watering holes, favorite hyper-local hangouts, or even more regionally recognized as cultural hotspots, fall under the eligibility criteria of Explore and can be submitted for consideration and review. For reviewers, even a generic business in a small town can be an important part of the local community.
Having said that, if you are able to verify that the nomination is a generic business with no importance or significance to the community you can reject it under "Other Rejection Criteria".
I don't think you directly answered the question you replied to.
The nomination appealed is a brew pub. Almost by definition, they are places to explore local flavor and socialize with others.
Is it possible this was incorrectly denied?
And why does Niantic use rejection reasons that don't actually align with criteria/defined rejection reasons?
Unfortunately, I didn't phrase my request well. He answered what I literally asked, but didn't look at @RandomExploit-ING's rejected appeal. I should have made it more clear in my tag I was trying to get him to look at the appeal.
So how do you appeal what looks like a wrong appeal decision by Niantic would be my next question ;P
We still don't know why Niantic is using rejection reasons they told us to no longer use too or if that in itself is a mistake too
create a post and tag directly
Frame your question clearly refer to some of points made and the response that was wrong - questions need to be be very specific
And even then, any answer by Niantic will create more doubts and questions.
Scuse me whilst I farm some Disagrees here:
If your submission is rejected by the voters and your appeal is rejected by Niantic, it’s time to move on. It doesn’t matter if the decision is “correct.” You had two chances to make your case and you missed both times, on to the next.
The only way that Niantic might learn is to provide feedback from a wider pool of reviewers and see that sometimes they are wrong.
It bothers me that this example of the brewery could have been used as a honeypot since they have decided it’s a reject. Presumably it’s the same sort of group that do these pre reviews? Some of us could then review it correctly as an accept and be walloped with a reduced rating.
So if there is a clear case (as has happened already) then it should be granted.
also self interest I don’t want any more unnecessary subs in the clogged U.K. pool.
Here's my "Generic Business" rejection by Niantic @NianticOtoStar . I nominated it as an award winning unique local store which is on the bottom of their list of a great place for exploration. I used to work just around the corner in an office and so many people had amusing stories about visiting this shop. If this store is not unique then I don't think any can be and all stores are generic. I'll reject all stores unless they are more unique than this (except generic grocery stores that also happen to be post offices obviously)
That looks interesting what I call a “fork handle” place.😂
is this one of the old ones that Niantic are picking up for review?
(sorry duplicated above but hey here are the pictures again - I thought it hadn't posted)
"Four Candles"
No - this was an appeal hence the "personalised explanation" (click secret button marked "generic business").
I may well submit again with some links to external websites that would perhaps help persuade that this is an interesting unique local store rather than just a small B&Q branch.
If you do resubmit I would keep the reference to business of the year out of title. To me it looks odd. And with each year that passes it passes doubt as to how relevant an award made what is now 6 years ago is relevant. I would weave it into the description. So refer to a feature in the high St since 1985, recognition of its key local impact by an award. something about it being a traditional ironmongers I bet you can buy 1 nail 😂
Good luck it is definitely something special