Incorrect internal review decision

General Discussion
1

Hello,

My scenary bench had been pulled into Internal review by the wayfarer team. It took some time, but it was decided today..

And rejected.

Screenshot20260428130218Firefox
Screenshot20260428130218Firefox1080×2340 273 KB

Screenshot20260428130224Firefox
Screenshot20260428130224Firefox1080×2340 142 KB

Screenshot20260428130229Firefox
Screenshot20260428130229Firefox1080×2340 248 KB

It was rejected for being a generic object.

This is clearly incorrect, aa scenary benches are acceptable by the wayfarer criteria for exploration.

I know this submission hasn’t been appealed yet, but I find it ridicilious to spend a appeal on this if Niantic have already taken a decision on this.

So im putting it on the forums for hopefully another look from staff.

The bench maybe generic, but the view it shows is amazing as seen in the multiple supporting images provided.

If it does not get accepted, I would like to know why this is considered generic, unlike other generic scenary benches.

Thx

2

A bench-with-a-view submission is going to be a judgement call by reviewers.

There has to be a scale of acceptability. Something with an amazing view would be acceptable to most people; something with a view of the back of garages covered in graffiti would be unacceptable to most people. Different people will have a different opinion of what the cut-off is in-between these extremes.

Mine is that if you would sit on that bench because of the view, it is a bench-with-a-view. If you wouldn’t, it isn’t. For me, this bench doesn’t pass that test, so I would reject it. It’s a nice enough place to sit, but you would not go there for the view.

3

That’s unfortunate, I would have accepted that if I saw it come through community review. Appeals (and internal review) aren’t great for borderline cases or really any sort of submission that isn’t a cut and dry signfarer submission like a plaque or entrance sign. It’s a shame because it would be neat if they were useful as test cases for interesting or grey area submissions like this.

4

Neither appeals nor internal reviews can be reliably used as test cases to identify what Niantic’s position is on submissions. An appeal counts only for that submission and does not set a precedent.

5

I know, it’s a shame.

6

I would normally expect wayspot that was for a view to feature that view in the main photo.
Here the title ( according to my translation) focuses on the bench being a lookout place, rather than the view.
So for me it ends up as a mismatch between photo and how it might qualify.
It looks though it is awkward to get a photo that has some bench but clearly also the view……I have this problem with one spot at the moment which I can’t get a photo I am happy with :woman_facepalming:

7

20260317_140125 (2)
20260317_140125 (2)1920×2560 2.34 MB
This is the way I do “Bench with a View”, Mostly view, some bench.

8

That was indeed the impossible to do.

In my language the word lookout is used differently.

I see it as an invitation to come look at this view from this bench.

I usually use scenary bench now, but everything has to be so specific these days. Im sick of using the same thing over and over.

The normal photo was impossible to do with view.

That’s why 5 geotagged images were provided in the supplemental info to make sure the view could be matched with this specific bench.

I think the title is good enough. I could resubmit, but thats gonna get rwjected by AI anyway.

Im gonna appeal this..

I find it unaccaptable this decision.

The fact it was not overturned AND no explaination was given makes me angry.
I know it is perfectly acceptable.

But that’s the usual here. No staff comment when you want it.

Either way, I will appeal. If not accepted I will leave wayfarer behind. 1 year seems like a good point to.stop, especially with the crap I have to see every day on my incorrectly rejected nominations by Dutch reviewers. Not worth it anynore.

It takes it’s toll when you realise every day you still have to use 60+ appeals

More coming, because the reviewers in my area are stupid (no offense). Like private property inside a restaurant.

You know submitting is almost useless since usually an appeal is needed amyway.

And then you get this as well. Needing to use an appeal for this.

Yeah, thay makes this broken system more negative than positive for me to continue..

Edit: Sorry for everything at once, but this js just reality for me at wayfarer.

9

I empathize. It’s frustrating to have criteria clarification for scenic benches but can still get denied by reviewers or on appeal. I tried it once and probably won’t again (rejected by ML and appeal also rejected).

I also took a beat from nominating since my two appeals got used up and I’ve had a handful of recent rejections (community & appeals) that makes me feel like I’m wasting my (free, unpaid) time.