Could a URL on the sign in the waypoint picture cause an automatic rejection?

Nomination Support
1

I nominated Gemstar Gemstone here in Enfield, NH, USA and it was rejected “This submission was declined by Niantic’s automated process for not adhering to Wayfarer criteria.”

I noticed there’s URL on the business’ sign in the picture. Could the URL be the problem? Could the automated process have picked that up? If you think so, I wonder how I get past that? Could I edit it out of the picture? Or maybe I should bring some paper to tape over it on the sign and take a new picture! :slight_smile:

Thanks very much!
Mike

2

Welcome to the forum!

We don’t know exactly how the automated process works, and we shouldn’t, but I think we would have had more reports of rejecting for a URL if that were the issue. Definitely don’t tape over the sign or blur the photo.

The more I looked into this place to see if I could recommend adjustments for a resubmission, the more concerned I became over suitability as a Wayspot. I don’t see safe pedestrian access at the sign, and I see huge “Closed” and “Keep Out” signs in this Street View from 2013:

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That website you mentioned also has me questioning if this is even in business. Quoting from the bottom of the page:

New Store Hours Starting July 01, 2011:
To Be Determined - Stay Tuned

The Gemstar Gemstone Company is working through the New Hampshire Probate Court.
All company activities are being managed and monitored by the family.
If interested, please call the shop phone (603-632-7115) and leave your name and phone number
Once the shop is re-opened, all callers will be contacted.
Thanks and please stay tuned

If you still think it is a valid Wayspot, try taking the clearest photo of the sign that you can. Check your punctuation and capitalization on your contributions page after you submit and fix anything amiss to give the best impression.

Your supporting statement should not be about why this would be a good portal. I know that is how the prompt reads, but you actually should explain why this would be a good Wayspot, not portal, and how it meets the criteria to be accepted:

Must meet at least one of the three eligibility criteria

  • A great place for exploration
  • A great place for exercise
  • A great place to be social with others

Another option you have is making an appeal to Niantic where human reviewers will take a second look at the submission. You get 2 appeals, each on a 20 day counter before you can use them again. Since my appeals are limited, I usually try to resubmit at least once before I appeal.

Everyone here loves to help, so maybe someone else here will see something else.

3

Hey, thanks so much! The street view is definitely out of date. However, the driveway does now have a gate that wasn’t there in the past. I remember the kerfuffle about probate back then, but I think that’s all sorted out now. Before I submit again, if I do, I’ll get ahold of the owners and ask if they’re still really a business or if they just left the sign up for nostalgia. And if I submit, I’ll carefully explain in the notes what I’ve found and also that here in rural NH, we pedestrians walk in the roads. Thanks again.

1 Like
4

If they are still a business, I would place the location pin on the building, not the sign, if possible, as that would be a safer location. A photo of the sign can be used for a business submission, but pin placement should be on the actual building location itself, such as the customer entrance. I’ve done this for a few places, where I take a main photo of the sign, but place the pin on the building, and those have been accepted.

And no, I don’t think URLs, even QR codes, cause rejection, as I nominated and got approved 2 community gardens this month with both on their signs for the non-profit that runs them.