Can/Will power spots be able to be submitted to upgrade to Pokestops?

[OllieTCG]

Sorry if this question has been answered already! I looked but couldn’t find anything. I understand the power spots are pretty new, so stuff like this is still being worked out, especially with the database merge.
I live in a rural area that recently got a new restaurant, and the restaurant became a power spot almost immediately. The owners basically built it from the ground up and it’s the only restaurant and indoor spot for people to hang out at in the area, so I personally think it would be a great spot to have a gym, though a pokestop would also be great.
Is it possible or going to be possible to submit it for a pokestop? Would it be considered a duplicate wayspot if I submit it?
Thank you!

[cyndiepooh]

Welcome to the forum @OllieTCG !

This sounds like an easy question, but it is complicated. Here is where Niantic explained how they established Power Spots:

@NianticThibs

Where are Power Spots coming from? How are Power Spots chosen?

Similarly to Pokéstops and Gyms, Power Spots are built upon the Niantic Map.

Currently the locations where Power Spots can appear are a combination of unused wayspots and a recently imported new database.

• Unused wayspots: as many of you know, not all the wayspots available on our Niantic Map are used as pokéstops/gyms in Pokemon Go. Those unused wayspots have a chance to host a Power Spot.
• New database: To enhance the density of locations, particularly in areas previously devoid of them, we have recently incorporated a fresh database of locations. Note that those locations were imported while not necessarily abiding to our Wayfarer criterias.

If the restaurant is an import for Powerspots, then you can submit it. If it is in the Lightship database already, then it will be marked duplicate if you submit it.

If you give the location, someone who has access to the database can tell you if it is a full-fledged Wayspot or just an import.

The best thing most Pokemon Go players can use to try to decide is to first check with the toggle on in the nomination map screen. You will see ! for both full fledged Lightship Wayspots and for the imports for Powerspots. Usually Powerspot imports will not have a photo, like this:

and I was able to add that one as a Wayspot.

But if they have a photo like this:

then they most likely are already full Wayspots and will be a duplicate.

However, they have recently added the ability to add photos to Powerspots, so this may not always be the case.

And even if you can submit it without it being marked duplicate, being able to be a pokestop or gym depends on the S2 cells. Someone can also check that for you if you give the location. If you haven’t heard about how Pokemon Go uses S2 cells, this is a good article:
https://pokemongohub.net/post/article/comprehensive-guide-s2-cells-pokemon-go/

[OllieTCG]

This answers my question!
The wayspot doesn’t have an image, so I think it’s fine. Thank you!!