You cannot create a Pokéstop yourself, but you can nominate a real-world location for one

Pokéstops are submitted through Niantic's Wayspot nomination system, not created directly in Pokémon GO. You nominate a real location — a landmark, public art, historic site, or community gathering place — and Niantic's review team decides whether it meets their criteria. If approved, the location becomes a Pokéstop in Pokémon GO and other Niantic games like Ingress and Pokémon GO.

The process takes weeks or months, not hours. Your nomination goes into a queue, gets reviewed by Niantic staff and sometimes by the community, and you receive a decision by email. Many nominations are rejected because they don't meet Pokéstop criteria or because a Pokéstop already exists nearby.

You must be at least level 38 in Pokémon GO to nominate a location. If you haven't reached that level, you can ask a higher-level player to submit the nomination for you, though Niantic prefers the person who knows the location best to do the nominating.

Key Takeaways

  • Pokéstop nominations happen through Niantic's Wayspot system, accessed from within Pokémon GO or through the separate Wayfarer website.
  • The location you nominate must be a real, publicly accessible place — a park, mural, statue, library, or community landmark — not a private residence or business.
  • You need to be level 38 or higher in Pokémon GO to submit nominations yourself.
  • Approval takes four weeks to several months, and many nominations are rejected if they don't meet criteria or if a Pokéstop already exists within 20 meters.
  • Once approved, your Pokéstop appears in Pokémon GO and can be spun for items by any player who visits the location.

How to nominate a location from inside Pokémon GO

Open Pokémon GO and navigate to the main map screen. Tap the Poké Ball menu at the bottom center, then select "Pokédex" or "Profile" — the exact menu name varies by update. Look for a "Nominate" or "Wayspot" option. If you don't see it, you haven't reached level 38 yet.

Tap the nominate button and select the location you want to submit. You can either walk to the location and use your phone's GPS to pinpoint it, or search for it by address. Take a clear photo of the location from a public area — the photo should show what makes this place special, not just a street view. Niantic reviewers use this photo to verify the location exists and is worth nominating.

Write a title for the Pokéstop (usually the official name of the place) and a description explaining why it matters — for example, "Historic marker commemorating the town's founding" or "Community mural by local artist Jane Smith." Add your supporting information, which can include a link to a Wikipedia article, historical society page, or news article about the location. The more evidence you provide, the more likely your nomination will be approved.

What locations Niantic accepts and rejects

Niantic accepts nominations for parks, playgrounds, public art, statues, murals, historic markers, libraries, community centers, fire stations, post offices, and other places where people gather or learn. The location must be publicly accessible — you should be able to visit it without trespassing or paying a fee (though parks with entrance fees are usually acceptable).

Niantic rejects nominations for private residences, businesses open only to customers, schools (unless the location is a public monument on school grounds), cemeteries, hospitals, and locations that don't have a clear public purpose. They also reject nominations for places that are too close to existing Pokéstops — usually within 20 meters — or for duplicate submissions of the same location.

Nominations that include misspellings, unclear photos, or vague descriptions are more likely to be rejected. Reviewers cannot see the location in person, so your photo and description must be clear enough for someone unfamiliar with the area to understand what you're nominating.

Using the Wayfarer website for nominations

If you prefer not to nominate from inside Pokémon GO, you can use the Wayfarer website at wayfarer.nianticlabs.com. Log in with your Niantic account (the same one you use for Pokémon GO) and click "Nominate" to submit a new location. The process is the same as in-app: provide a photo, title, description, and supporting information.

The Wayfarer website also lets you review other players' nominations if you're level 38 or higher. When you review nominations, you vote on whether they should be approved, and your votes help determine the final decision. This is optional, but it can speed up the review process for all nominations in your area.

What happens after you submit your nomination

After submission, your nomination enters a queue. Niantic staff review it, and depending on the location and how many nominations are ahead of yours, you may receive a decision within four weeks or wait several months. You'll get an email notification when a decision is made.

If your nomination is approved, the location becomes a Pokéstop within a few days. If it's rejected, the email will usually explain why — for example, "duplicate location," "does not meet criteria," or "insufficient evidence." You can resubmit the same location with a stronger photo or description, but wait at least a few weeks before trying again.

If your nomination is still pending after three months, you can check its status on the Wayfarer website. Some nominations stay in review longer if they're borderline cases or if Niantic needs more information.

Why your nomination might be rejected

The most common reason for rejection is that a Pokéstop already exists at or very near the location. Before you nominate, open Pokémon GO and check the map for existing Pokéstops, Gyms, and Wayspots within a few blocks. If one is already there, your nomination will be rejected.

The second most common reason is that the location doesn't meet Niantic's criteria. Private homes, chain restaurants, parking lots, and generic street corners are not accepted. Niantic wants locations that are interesting, historically significant, or serve a clear community purpose.

Poor photo quality is also a frequent cause of rejection. If your photo is blurry, taken from too far away, or doesn't clearly show the location, reviewers may not be able to verify it exists. Take your photo in daylight, from a public area, and make sure the subject is in focus and recognizable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I nominate a location that's on private property?

No. The location must be publicly accessible without trespassing. If it's on private property, even if the owner allows public access, Niantic will likely reject it. Public parks, streets, and community spaces are safe choices.

How long does it take to get a decision on my nomination?

Most nominations receive a decision within four to eight weeks, but some take three months or longer. The timeline depends on how many nominations are in the queue and how clear your submission is. You can check the status on the Wayfarer website.

What if my nomination is rejected — can I try again?

Yes. Wait at least a few weeks, then resubmit with a better photo, clearer description, or additional supporting evidence. If the rejection was due to a nearby Pokéstop, check the map again to confirm the distance before resubmitting.

Do I need to be at the location to nominate it?

You don't have to be there at the moment you submit, but you should be familiar with the location and able to provide an accurate photo and description. Niantic can tell when a photo is generic or taken from a distance, and those nominations are less likely to be approved.

What happens if someone nominates the same location as me?

Niantic treats each nomination separately, but if multiple people nominate the same location, it may be approved faster because the community is showing interest. If it's already approved, duplicate nominations are rejected.