Instant declined

[AGeek8036]

My nominations get instantly declined and I honestly do not know what to do.
I’m trying real hard to get new PoI to improve all niantics games but god damn it pisses me off when they don’t even provide a valid reason for rejection.

Was it the title? The description? The photo?

By all accounts, from all the current PoI available across all niantic games, there are tons less complete and suitable than this one, yet it gets rejected.

What can I say I haven’t said in the nomination…This is a solid, permanent, tangible object with a unique art on it. It is the flag of a local, very unique, shop and is right outside the shop. It is very accessible by foot and have parking spaces around. It’s located right along a cyclist path.

I have double checked all criteria.

Great place for exploration: a destination or a placemark of local interest and importance and which makes our communities unique and shapes its identity.

This criteria include “Unusual or unique local shops”.
This shop is the work of the local community and unrelated to any store chains.

Great place for exercise: Places that encourage walking, exercising, and enjoying public spaces. Or something that teaches or encourages us to be our healthiest selves.

This criteria include: Biking trails. This spot is not a biking trail but the store itself promote helthy wellbeing and is located right next to a well known, already submitted and approved cyclist path. That cyclist path being a good place to exercises and the shop being on this path, makes it a good place to exercise.
In addition, if “something that teaches or encourages us to be our helthiest selves” is a valid criteria, then how come this store is not valid? It litteraly promotes a healthy lifestyle. Granted I nominated the flag in this one, but the store itself also got rejected.

Great place to be social: something that draws us together to share an experience in a locally and culturally relevant way. this criteria includes “Favorite (coffee) shops”.

The intent of this criteria is a place were people can share their human experiences. Which this shop is actively promoting. People cna bike along the trail and make a stop at the shop to refill on healthy product while sharing their health experiences.

In addition to all those, the art on the flag is an original work made by the owner of the shop in front of which the flag is located.

Why?.. I really don’t understand. I feel like even when all the criteria are mets they just reject to avoid having to add them.

[cyndiepooh]

Welcome to the forum.

You have picked a really difficult point of interest here. Often the “herbs” are adult substances and the store that sells them would be ineligible as an adult location.

You have titled your nomination as being for the flag. I do not see anything about this flag that would meet criteria. So I believe that you are trying to submit the store.

The argument that you have made that this is a unique local shop could apply to many locations. If you do feel it is eligible, you would need to really focus on how this particular shop is important to the community.

If I resubmit something the automated process has rejected, I take a new photo. Your main photo looks hastily done. If I were going to submit this, I would either center the sign, or center the building. And title the nomination as the business, not the flag. But I do not believe that I would submit this. If you could leave the location, we could have a look around for suggestions.

[seaprincesshnb]

Nothing you’ve written about this shop convinces me that it meets Wayfarer criteria. The message you see when ML rejects things is that it didn’t meet criteria. In my mind, that is accurate.

[LuigiGamingLP]

Also, the Photo just seems far away.

[TjoeMi]

@AGeek8036

This spot is not a biking trail but the store itself promote helthy wellbeing and is located right next to a well known, already submitted and approved cyclist path.

This object itself need to promote exercise. It doesnt count if its near anything.

[TjoeMi]

@AGeek8036

This criteria include “Unusual or unique local shops”.
This shop is the work of the local community and unrelated to any store chains.

This is a very vague description. The onus is on submitter to convince reviewer with enough evidence. Just word is not enough. If you are trying to nominate the store, i suggest you to take the store logo and resubmit with better description

[AGeek8036]

They refused the store aswell. That’s why I though maybe the flag, as a cool piece of art, would fit better since it’s an outside spot that you would naturally visit while biking. Maybe I submitted wrong but I always make sure to check all the criteria for acceptance and rejection. So far I’ve been picked up by the AI only and instant reject on all the spots I made except for the one biking trail marker.

Regarding the store, I don’t understand how this local shop which is all about healthy products fits less than any bigger store in the area. This little shop is doing more to promote wellbeing than say the local IKEA store. Unless you can argue that IKEA’s are so big they promote walking. I’ve seen people mentioning stores that should be hotspot/gems. I think this fits but maybe I need a better definition of the term first.

I will go and redo the photo but It’s in belgium… it’s raining half the time, I’m not sure it would be better. It would be upclose tho since this seems to be a common theme around the comment i’m seeing.

If you want the location to check it out it’s: 50°25’48.8"N 3°59’51.0"E on google maps.

[AGeek8036]

Ok so not a great palce for exercise because the nomination itself is not like a sport equipment or exercise related object.

But then, how come some grafitti designs are ok to be nominated? I really don’t get it.
There is nearby a huge graffiti on a local business that is the nomination (not the business). And this is ok… I believe because Arts are under great place for exploration, but then this flag has a very unique custom made design on it. It’s not mass produced, there is only one of these. So how come this couldn’t get nominated?

As for the shop part, if the store can be nominated, cool, but it also got rejected previously. That’s why I thought that the flag was wath needed to be nominated.

Just word is not enought, but then what is? I only have words and photos to convince. Maybe the main pictures was not ok, but the supporting one show clearly how accessible it is to pedestrians. What could I have “said” more or better to convince this is a good nomination?

[TjoeMi]

@AGeek8036

But then, how come some grafitti designs are ok to be nominated? I really don’t get it.

Never use existing wayspot as comparison, it might be imported or it might be falsely accepted in the past. Grafitti are usually vandalism and usually ineligible. Some of those incorrectly accepted wayspot are just waiting on borrowed time until people report it.

@AGeek8036

So how come this couldn’t get nominated?

Please explain to reviewer how this flag fit exploration/exercise/socialize category. I dont think people will socialize or exercise with that flag, so only exploration will work but personally i didnt see it interesting

@AGeek8036

As for the shop part, if the store can be nominated, cool, but it also got rejected previously.

The store can be nominated, but acceptance depend on how you present it to reviewer.

@AGeek8036

I only have words and photos to convince

You can put web link (in supporting information) or better photo to show how famous or unique the store. Use submission from wayfarer page so that you can put in 5 supporting foto.

If you do some review, you will realize how far people can be creative with their word to get submission approved.

Some people lie ,use fake, or missplace wayspot but this behaviour is subject to abuse ladder system

[cyndiepooh]

@AGeek8036

50°25’48.8"N 3°59’51.0"E

What I see there is this, which looks like SFPRP (Single Family Private Residential Property):

The Google label calls this M.BASTA and describes it as an auto repair shop. The website for M.BASTA is still active. I could not find a link to the wellness store.

The sign is pretty, but I am not sure it meets the level of art. That is subjective. There is a clarification on business signage as art here:

@NianticTintino

Business Signage
Unique artistic merit can make a sign eligible. This could include being one of a kind and created by a local artist, or being distinctive and noteworthy in the local community. Is this a sign of something worthy of exploration? Submitters should ensure that they provide context as to why the sign meets the acceptance criteria.

The logo above is famous: The Golden Arches. However, because it is so well-known and widespread throughout the globe, it is considered generic or mass-produced.

The mural above also functions as a logo or sign for a business that can be considered eligible because it is a unique work of art.

Even though this hammer above is technically an address sign, it is unique and notable to the business it’s meant to represent and could be considered eligible.

Also note that it is a banner style that can often be rejected as temporary.

I don’t really have a place to point you to for the definition of “hotspot” but the paragraph heading the section that mentions “unique shops” < Eligibility Criteria — Wayfarer Help Center> reads:

A place you love to venture out to; a destination or a placemark of local interest and importance and which makes our communities unique and shapes its identity. Somewhere or something that tells the unique story about a place, its history, its cultural meaning, or teaches us about the community we live in.

So there is the bar - makes the community unique and shapes its identity.

I don’t believe that I can assist you with this nomination. It doesn’t help that I can’t read the language on the sign.

[AGeek8036]

Ain’t really my goal to abuse the systeme. I’m really trying to nominate by the rule.

And my problems is exactly the rules and their understanding because they are too vague and promote instant rejection and frustration. That’s why I need help and explanation.

For instance, regarding the flag, I look at the rules. With your explanation in mind, it’s not for exercise, It’s not for socializing althought the shop might be, that leave only (I’m gonna focus on what fits the flag):

A great place for exploration

[…] a destination or a placemark of local interest and importance and which makes our communities unique and shapes its identity. […]

Examples of Wayspot categories

• Unique Art or Architecture

So, other criteria might apply to the shop, but the flag should be included in this unless I’m again missing something here.

It is a placemark of local interest. I’m not sure about how the second part of the phrase is to be interpreted because then the flag itself doesn’t promote it but the shop promotes wellbeing trought healthy products in an area where most if not all people go on regular walk in the neighbourhood. It is along a cyclist path, it reinforces the identity of the local community of thriving trought healthy products and regular activities.

It is a unique shop, with a unique art piece in front of it. I don’t know why, they don’t fit…

[TjoeMi]

Well things like business and restaurant are harder to get approved. You really need to convince YOUR LOCAL reviewer to get them approved and the verdict might got mixed result. Take whatever information that you can get here and resubmit. Appeal it if it got rejected. But if even appeal got rejected, maybe its time to move on and find other candidate.

@AGeek8036

It is a unique shop, with a unique art piece in front of it. I don’t know why, they don’t fit…

Art can be subjective. What some people say art can be junk to other. Wayfarer is based on community review. When enough people in your local community approve, it will be accepted. But personally i dont think its art. Sorry i look into the street view. The store looks new. It doesnt help that its not showing in google map. When i review, i look into google map to see how good the store. Telling people its unique is not enough. You need to back up this claim with evidence. Facebook page, google review, whatever you can find. Just one link can worth a thousand words.

[AGeek8036]

Here are more details:
The house where the store is located is a fairly common split in belgium.
People living there decide they have the space to make a dedicated store, so they seperate the private part from the store.
M.Basta I believe is the business of the Husband. It is a car shop.

His wife also opened a business which is “Goutte de vertus”. IE: the wellbeing shop.
That shop has a floral arch at the entrance (of course, in winter and fall… not good looking so here is a better picture )

What you can see on the photo you posted is exactly that:

The red part is the house, the private property. What you see in green is the shop, and in blue is the publicly accessible sidewalk and parking. The car shop is accessible trought the gat at the far right of the picture.

They even have a facebook, I don’t know if I can post links but it’s basicly “Goutte de vertus” which is the name of the shop.

As for the flag, is is basicly their logo which was made by the owner. It is comprise of a stylised tree with a human at the center with the root extending and hthe name of shop below forming a round shape. There is the number to call the shop and the last mention on it is “Herboristerie et soins”, trnaslating to Herbal shop and care. Herbal as in plant product, tea, encens, aromatical products, soap, essential oils, face masks and all that sort of stuff. Basicly self care product.

It’s all on their facebook page.

[cyndiepooh]

If they live there, I believe the SFPRP rule disqualifies the location. But I am not the final authority. Here is a clarification from Niantic:

Private Residences, Farmland & K-12

Single-family private residential properties (SFPRP), farms, and K-12 (schools or facilities primarily focused for persons under 18 years of age) are ineligible. This includes the outer facing facade, fence of these locations, and property boundaries. Objects in or upon apartment blocks, gated communities, or their shared spaces may be eligible assuming they otherwise meet criteria and are intended to be accessed by a community, even if not everyone. Communal spaces have the potential to be eli…

[wooperIooper]

I would try these instead

There seems to be another one of these split house situations with a gym, I don’t know if the rest of the house is a single family residence. If not, this could work

Also hiking and cycling trails

[cyndiepooh]

@AGeek8036

They even have a facebook, I don’t know if I can post links but it’s basicly “Goutte de vertus” which is the name of the shop.

You can share a Facebook link on the forum. You can also include a Facebook link in the supporting section of a nomination. I didn’t see anything there that convinced me it should be accepted, though.

[AGeek8036]

Well yeah but if it’s in a rural community, and nobody “else” than that local community finds the store how can it have significant reviews?.. This goes AGAINST the definition of a very local hotspot or gems imo.

For the art maybe, but I mean it’s printed up front and custom made, how cvan that not be enough?

Meybe I should include the facebook page. There is tons of photos of inside the shop there.
The shop itself especially in winter time is not good looking but in spring and summer is very well presented (see picture above).

[AGeek8036]

As a shop or the flag you mean?

[cyndiepooh]

It is my opinion that neither would meet acceptance criteria, but just my opinion.

[AGeek8036]

It is a split house yeah. Like I said, it’s fairly common in belgium.
Doctors here are the same, they have part of their property being the business one, like the acces, waiting room, a toilette usually and their examination room, and the rest of the house is their private residence.
The bowling I believe is already nominated there are stuff over there. The restuarant might be a good fit yes.
For the cycling trail they already have markers one of them is nearby and it got accepted. It’s the only one tho.