Seems impossible to get pokestops approved. There was a little library a mile from me and I built one and submitted it, yet mine was denied. Is there bias in approvals?
Can you give some more context? If you placed the little free library on your property, it would be rejected under this.
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Welcome to the forums.
There is no general bias to the approvals process. Some get picked up by Niantic staff, but most are reviewed by the community.
With little free libraries, they are often on single-family private residental property, which makes them immediately ineligible.
Welcome to the forum!
Besides what was already said, no one in the community should be able to tell who made the nomination in review. If you identify yourself in the nomination, that is grounds to reject it.
Even if on public space, which isn’t always obvious, a new library that isn’t visible on google streetview might get rejected for being temporary or not existing or location unable to be confirmed.
In the US, the space between the sidewalk and properties is generally unsafe and best treated as SFPRP (single-family private residental property) unless this can be proved otherwise.
In the UK, the space between the pavement and the property wall is generally considered to be public space.
I cannot comment on the equivalent in other countries.
If you are not familiar with submitting wayspots, you can see the reason(s) for rejection on your contributions page at https://wayfarer.nianticlabs.com/new/nominations
Then do I report a wayspot for removal from homes that I see as active pokestop and Max gyms? Like the library a mile from me, setup in front of their house as well?
yes, if it is on SFPRP - single family private residential property - then you should do a report. you can either report in game, or through one of the forms at the top here.
i have mixed results asking help chat at https://wayfarer.nianticlabs.com/new/help to remove these, but some people use that. they usually tell me to use one of the forms.
It can sometimes be unclear if the property should be considered SFPRP: Private Residences, Farmland & K-12
**Easements, “right-of-ways,” and sidewalks are too broad to make a global statement on, but the guidance is the same as above - if it is part of a private residence, it is ineligible.
Sometimes they choose to leave ones that I think should be removed if the evidence is not clear.
More straightforward wording is in the clarification specfic to LFL’s Little Free Libraries
If a LFL is placed on eligible property in such a way that any visitors may obstruct the entrance, may encourage trespassing, or may present danger from nearby traffic, they should be considered ineligible.
If it is on single family residence private residential property, you can, yes.
as noted by Cyndie above me, you can do it via the Help Chat or in game if you’re close by.
If it’s a PokéStop/gym:
- Tap the stop
- Tap the “>” at the top right
- Tap the three dots at the top right
- Report PokéStop issue
Private Residential Property- Add any additional information (usually I add Zoopla listings when the house was last sold)
- Add a photo in the next step if you think it helps to confirm
- Staff will review and you’ll get an email with the decision
If it’s a Power Spot:
- Tap the Power Spot
- Tap the
in the lower left - Tap the
in the lower left - Then the options are the same as the PokéStop report
- Report Power Spot issue
- Private Residential Property
- Add any additional information (usually I add Zoopla listings when the house was last sold)
- Add a photo in the next step if you think it helps to confirm
- Staff will review and you’ll get an email with the decision
Edited just to paste the steps below if it helps in future for reference
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