I’d like to provide feedback regarding the current PokéStop nomination system, as it feels misleading and frustrating for players who are actively contributing to the game.
Since March 24, I have submitted 17 “New PokéStop” nominations. Out of those, 8 have been rejected, 4 have been accepted, and 6 are still in voting. However, none of the 4 accepted nominations have appeared in-game. While I understand that not every accepted Wayspot becomes a PokéStop due to internal rules, the way this process is presented to players feels unclear and discouraging.
Labeling submissions as “PokéStop nominations” creates the expectation that accepted entries will appear in Pokémon GO, which is not always the case. This leads to confusion and disappointment, especially after taking the time to explore, document, and submit quality locations.
I’m not alone in feeling this way—many players share similar frustrations about the lack of transparency in how accepted Wayspots are actually used in-game. It would be much more accurate and less misleading if the system clearly communicated that submissions are for the broader Wayspot database, not guaranteed PokéStops.
I strongly encourage a reconsideration of how this process is explained to players, along with more transparency about why accepted nominations may not appear in Pokémon GO. Clear communication would go a long way in maintaining player motivation and trust.
Thank you for your time and for considering this feedback.
Welcome to the forum!
We have been complaining about this wording in the Pokemon Go app ever since Pokemon Go players got the ability to nominate. I believe the onus on changing this wording is on the Pokemon Go team. The Web Submit prompts clearly state that you are submitting a Wayspot when you submit from the Wayfarer website.
Staff do not ever discuss usage of S2 cells, but they do refer to an “additional” process. This is alluded to in the emails. I am so glad staff will allow us to explain community observations about S2 cell algorithms on the forum, but do not forsee any circumstance where this would be added to the nomination process.
Hello @ClutchutcH89
Its not always obvious where the best place to post in this forum is. I am moving this to the Nomination support initially for greater visibility.
I fully understand the frustration you are having.
Along with @cyndiepooh and other wayfinders that are forum regulars we routinely have questions and disappointment from those whose wayspots don’t appear in game.
The fact that recently they started to use some of those previously dormant wayspots as powerspots was a little ray of hope that someday some previously unused wayspots might find a use.
Can we help with the nominations that have been rejected and the ones in process to at least see if they are likely to appear?
Have you read this article?
If you provide GPS coordinates we will give specific advice.
Thank you both for the responses—I do appreciate the clarification and willingness to help.
However, I want to be clear that my concern isn’t about whether my individual nominations are valid or need improvement. The core issue is the disconnect between what is presented to players in Pokémon GO and what actually happens after a nomination is accepted.
Referring to submissions as “PokéStop nominations” in the app sets a very specific expectation. Most players are not using the Wayfarer website or reading forum discussions—they are interacting directly through Pokémon GO. From that perspective, an accepted nomination reasonably implies it will appear in-game.
The fact that this wording has been a known issue for a long time, as mentioned, actually reinforces the concern. If the community has consistently raised this, but it still hasn’t been addressed, it continues to create confusion and frustration for new and existing players alike.
I also want to reiterate that this is not an isolated situation. A friend of mine submitted several nominations alongside me, and although hers were accepted, none have appeared in-game either. This suggests a broader pattern rather than a one-off case.
While I understand there are internal systems (like placement rules or “additional processes”), the lack of transparency around them is the root of the issue. Players are contributing time and effort under one expectation, but the outcome is governed by rules that are not clearly communicated in the app.
I’m not looking for a review of specific nominations—I’m asking for clearer communication and more accurate expectations to be set within Pokémon GO itself.
That would go a long way in improving trust and overall player experience.
We, as the players totally agree with you.
The fact is that it is a Pokemon Go issue and not Wayfarer.
These forums only deal with Wayfarer and I am not sure what to suggest as the best method to contact the Pokemon Go team.
As Niantic will not discuss Cells I don’t worry whether they call it “Additional Process” or “Proximity Rules”.
The issue is with Pokemon Go stating “Nominate Pokestop” but it isn’t something that can be sorted here or by the Wayfarer Team.
Good Luck.
I am not looking forward to disregard your opinion in here, but I wish you would show your opinion by your own, and not by AI-generated response. It is cheap, very bloat and can provide misinformation.
For who may concern why it might be an AI response: They use the unique “—” instead of “-”.
I appreciate the agreement and the clarification that this is seen as a Pokémon GO issue rather than Wayfarer.
That said, this is still the official forum tied to the nomination system players are directed to use, so it feels like a reasonable place to raise concerns about how that system is presented in-game. If this has been a long-standing issue, as mentioned, then it highlights an ongoing gap in communication that continues to affect players.
Even if this specific forum cannot directly change the wording, feedback like this should still be visible and acknowledged so it can reach the appropriate teams. Right now, players are being told they are submitting “PokéStop nominations,” while the actual outcome depends on criteria that are not clearly explained within Pokémon GO itself.
That disconnect is the core issue I’m raising.
Also, to address the other comment—I’m simply expressing my own experience and concerns based on what I’ve encountered through the nomination process. The focus here should be on the topic being discussed, not on assumptions about how a message is written.
It has been mentioned many times in these forums and nothing has been done so all we can take from that is Niantic / Pokemon Go do not see it as a Priority.
Nobody is disagreeing with you, exactly the apposite. Just don’t want you to get your hopes up since you have posted that it will be sorted any time soon.