In Pokémon GO, more and more players around the world can submit PokéStops. We will show you how it works.
Finally have a few more PokéStops in the village or maybe even an Arena! The dream of many players is about to come true. Niantic is currently testing a system for submitting PokéStops in several countries.
Only for some players: So far, no one in Germany can directly submit PokéStops for Pokémon GO. The feature is currently being tested in Brazil, South Korea, Thailand, and Mexico. There, Level 40 players can submit new proposals for PokéStops.
We will show you how the system works and explain what requirements need to be met.
No PokéStops? – Guide to Applying for Stops 2018
In the following steps, we explain how submitting PokéStops works. The system is currently only available in beta version. So it is possible that something may still change.
- Find an interesting location that you would like to submit.
2. Open your settings in the game and tap on “New PokéStop” (this button only appears for players who can also submit a stop).
3. A map will open, where you should place an orange PokéStop at the location where the PokéStop should be (if there is already a PokéStop nearby, you cannot place a new stop there).
4. Confirm your selection if the PokéStop has been placed correctly.
5. Now take a picture of the object you want to submit. Pay attention to the quality of the image and ensure that no people are recognizable (failure to meet the criteria may result in rejection of the PokéStop).
6. Now take a picture of the surrounding area of the object. The community that evaluates the PokéStop can then see if the surroundings are suitable for a PokéStop.
7. Give the potential PokéStop a name and a description. Ensure that the title best describes the object and the description provides additional information about the location.
8. Now check all information for accuracy. If everything is correct, confirm your proposal.
9. In the last step, you can write to the reviewers of the proposal why this proposal should be approved. This text can only be read by the reviewer and will not be published.
10. Now the community reviews your proposal. This can take a few weeks or even months. You will be contacted via email and informed of the decision. If the proposal is accepted, there will be a new stop at that location in the world of Pokémon GO.
These criteria must be considered when proposing PokéStops
Not every interesting object is a new PokéStop. There are some guidelines that dictate which objects can become a PokéStop.
These places are ideal for PokéStops:
- A historical place and a place with an interesting history
- An artwork or special architecture (statues, paintings, mosaics, etc.)
- A hidden gem or a locally known place (restaurants, hotels, etc.)
- Public parks, libraries, or cultural sites
- Transit stations like train stations or stops
These places are not suitable for PokéStops:
- Places that are not accessible to pedestrians (e.g., on highways)
- Private property
- Places that disrupt the operation of hospitals or fire and police stations
- Places on the grounds of kindergartens or elementary schools
- Places that are natural formations (e.g., a waterfall or a mountain)
- Objects that are not permanently located (e.g., Ferris wheel at a fair)
- Places that serve adult entertainment (gun shops, liquor stores, etc.)
What you should know about stop submissions
The stop submission system is primarily intended for players who have few PokéStops in their area. If you successfully submit a proposal, it will result in a PokéStop.
When will the feature come to Germany? This system is currently being tested only in a few countries and is not available worldwide. How long these tests will last is not known. However, if the tests are successfully completed, the system could soon come to Germany.
Who can submit PokéStops?
Which countries can already submit stops? Submitting PokéStops is currently possible only in Brazil, South Korea, Thailand, and Mexico. Niantic is currently testing a beta version there. They are gradually expanding the test area and additional countries are being added.
Requirement is Level 40: In the aforementioned countries, not every player can submit PokéStops. Only players who are Level 40 and are not registered with the Pokémon Kids Club can submit PokéStops.
Is there a limit for submissions? So far, you can only submit seven PokéStops every 14 days. This prevents unlimited new requests from being made.
This is what the system in Germany could look like: One can assume that this system will only be usable for Level 40 players.
In the game Ingress, which is also by Niantic, only players with a minimum level can submit new portals (comparable to PokéStops). It seems plausible that this will also be the case in Pokémon GO. This could also be an incentive when you are Level 40 and have no more motivation.
Great feature for village players: For players living in small towns with few PokéStops, this feature could be fantastic. Village players could receive items or field research there and have a location where more Pokémon spawn.
What do you think of this system? Are you excited that soon you can submit PokéStops?
