I’d like to get some community feedback on a nomination that has been rejected twice and I’m not sure if it’s worth retrying or if I’m missing something fundamental.
The nomination is a set of two heraldic shields on the exterior facade of a house called “Casa Riberano” in Almunia de San Juan, a small village in Aragón, Spain. The upper shield is a metal piece with a crown, and the lower one is a stone carving depicting a knight on horseback with a lance — a family coat of arms. Both are mounted on the outer wall, fully visible and accessible from the public sidewalk at all times. No private property needs to be entered at any point.
It was first rejected automatically, and I appealed with a detailed explanation about its cultural and historical value and its visibility from public space. Niantic’s response to the appeal was:
“The nomination is on the property of a private residence which makes it ineligible.”
I’ve read the rejection criteria carefully, and I understand that private residential property is explicitly ineligible — the criteria even specify “even if historical”, so I know that argument alone doesn’t work. However, I’m genuinely unsure about where the line is drawn here. The criteria talk about the location being a private residence, but the shields are physically on the exterior wall facing the street — not inside the property, not behind any gate or fence, just on the outer facade that anyone walking by can see and photograph freely from the public sidewalk.
My question to the community is: is there a meaningful distinction in Wayfarer criteria between something being on a private residence versus being part of a private residence? To me this feels similar to a mural or a decorative element on a building facade, which I’ve seen accepted before. Or is any element physically attached to a private home considered ineligible regardless of public visibility?
Is this salvageable at all, and if so, what would you change about the approach?
Hey this is a great question and thanks for coming to ask. Unfortunately these are not eligible at all. Nothing in or on a single family Private residential property (SFPRP) is eligible. This even applies to things on the exterior of an outer fence. See below for details as part of the Criteria Clarification collection:
I have to say I find this a bit confusing, and I wanted to share my perspective in case it helps clarify things or generates some discussion.
I’ve seen many Wayspots accepted on the facades of buildings, especially heraldic shields and similar elements. I’m not sure if the criteria changed significantly in 2024, but there are things I understand and things I genuinely don’t.
For example, I recently tried to nominate a sundial that was inside a property but visible from the street — I understood that rejection because even though you could see it clearly from outside, it was technically within the private boundary. That makes sense to me.
But when an object is physically on the outer wall, placed there specifically to be seen by everyone passing by, and has been there for years as part of the local landscape… it feels like a different situation. The intent of the owner was clearly to display it publicly.
What makes this harder to accept is that I live in a small rural village in Aragón where options for new Wayspots are genuinely scarce. When I see heraldic shields on facades accepted in other areas and try the same approach here, only to be told it’s ineligible, it’s frustrating — especially when I’m trying to contribute meaningfully to the map in an underserved area.
I’m not trying to argue against the criteria, just sharing an honest reaction. Thanks for the clarification.
There may be several reasons that Niantic now has this stance (and has had for many years). First are foremost was a lawsuit from a homeowner for a wayspot that was on their property. It is very black and white now that absolutely no part of a SFPRP should be a wayspot.
these type of architectural elements could be nominated as part of a busines facade or other structure that isn’t a private home.
I am not sure if your village has shared living buildings like apartments or condominiums, but communal areas in or on the grounds of these buildings can be eligible. Maybe a statue or fountain would be a good example.
Thank you both for the context, especially the explanation about the lawsuit — that actually makes a lot of sense and explains why the rule is so black and white now. I don’t fully agree with how it affects cases like mine, but I understand the reasoning behind it.
I have to admit it always leaves a bittersweet taste when you put effort into finding meaningful things in a small rural area, only to hit a wall like this. Options are genuinely scarce out here, and when something feels like a real piece of local identity and history, it’s hard to let go of it. But I appreciate the honest answers — better to know for certain than to keep trying. I’ll look for other options. Thanks for your time!
Thank you so much for sharing this, it’s really helpful and gives me a better framework for thinking about what to submit next.
I had actually come across this guide before, but it’s always good to be reminded of the key points!
I think the key takeaway for me is the point about cultural significance being different in small towns — that’s exactly the challenge I face.
In a village of 600 people, every element has more local identity and value than it would in a city, but it’s hard to convey that to reviewers who don’t know the area.
I’ll keep working on finding eligible things and making the best case I can for each one. I really appreciate the community’s help here!
If you are happy to post the location (DO NOT USE YOUR HOME), something general like a the village centre or a crossroads. (Long / Lat taken from Google maps is best).
People here love to drive the Google Car and make suggestions.
Unfortunately, some areas just don’t have anything that meets criteria so do have to be prepared for this to be a possible answer.
At this point I’m half-seriously considering going to my local town hall to propose adding murals, public art, or small parks to the village — because at this rate, that might be my best shot at getting new Wayspots! When your options are this limited, you start thinking creatively
Thank you for the offer, that’s really kind! Here are the approximate coordinates of the village centre: 41.936194, 0.245194
I should mention that I’ve already been nominating quite extensively in the area for a while now — the village is pretty well covered at this point.
I’m currently trying things I wouldn’t normally submit, either because they’re in occupied cells hoping they might become Power Spots, or just experimenting to see what sticks.
So I’m very much in the “scraping the bottom of the barrel” phase! But if you spot anything I might have missed, I’d genuinely appreciate the fresh eyes
There are some pokestops that I think they were added by Ingress players so…
As mentioned - that rejection reason is specific to single family residential. If the building is not currently used as a residence (has been converted into a museum or business), or is multiple units, then it is allowed. Also buildings that are clearly not residential are generally allowed (except schools and emergency services).
and make suggestions.
But if you spot anything I might have missed, I’d genuinely appreciate the fresh eyes