You cannot create a Pokéstop yourself, but you can request one through Niantic's official process

Pokéstops are submitted and reviewed by Niantic, the company that makes Pokémon Go. You do not build them directly in the game. Instead, you nominate a real-world location that you think deserves a Pokéstop, and Niantic's review team decides whether to accept it. The process takes weeks or months, and many nominations are rejected.

To submit a nomination, you need a Niantic account, access to the Pokémon Go app or the separate Wayfarer nomination tool, and a location in mind. The location must meet Niantic's criteria — it has to be a real place that is safe to visit, not on private property, and not a duplicate of something already nominated nearby.

Key Takeaways

  • Pokéstops are reviewed and placed by Niantic, not created by players, and you nominate locations through the Pokémon Go app or Wayfarer website.
  • Your nomination must be a real, publicly accessible location with a clear photo and description that explains why it deserves a Pokéstop.
  • Niantic rejects nominations for private property, duplicate locations, dangerous areas, and places that do not fit their criteria for cultural or historical significance.
  • The review process can take several weeks to several months, and you will receive a notification when your nomination is accepted or rejected.
  • If your nomination is rejected, you can resubmit the same location with a different photo or description, or nominate a different location entirely.

What locations Niantic accepts for Pokéstops

Niantic looks for places that are culturally or historically significant, or that serve as community gathering points. Parks, libraries, museums, public art installations, and historic landmarks are common examples. The location must be outdoors or in a publicly accessible building — you cannot nominate someone's home, a private business, or a gated community.

The place also has to be safe to visit. Niantic will reject nominations near highways, in the middle of dangerous intersections, or in areas known for crime. If the location requires trespassing to reach, or if it is on private land, your nomination will be denied. The spot should be somewhere a real person can walk up to and interact with without breaking the law or putting themselves at risk.

Duplicate nominations are also rejected. If a Pokéstop or Gym already exists within a certain distance of your nomination, Niantic will turn it down. This distance varies, but generally you need some separation between stops. Before you nominate, check the Pokémon Go map to see what is already nearby.

How to submit a nomination through Pokémon Go

Open the Pokémon Go app and navigate to the main map screen. Tap your avatar icon in the bottom left corner, then select the menu icon (three horizontal lines). Scroll down and tap "Pokéstop Nomination." The app will ask you to confirm your location and show you a map of nearby stops and gyms.

Tap the plus icon to add a new nomination. The app will open your phone's camera and ask you to take a photo of the location. Take a clear, well-lit photo that shows the place you are nominating — not a blurry or distant shot. After you take the photo, the app will ask for a title and description. The title should be short and specific, like "Oak Street Community Garden" or "Historic Train Station." The description should explain what the location is and why it matters to the community.

You will also need to provide a supporting photo — a second image that shows the location in context or from a different angle. This helps reviewers understand what they are looking at. After you submit, you will see a confirmation screen. Niantic will send you a notification when your nomination has been reviewed.

Using the Wayfarer website to nominate locations

If you do not want to use the Pokémon Go app, you can submit nominations through Wayfarer, Niantic's dedicated nomination website. Go to wayfarer.nianticlabs.com and log in with your Niantic account. Click "Nominate" and follow the same process — provide a photo, title, description, and supporting photo.

Wayfarer also lets you review and vote on other players' nominations. When you review nominations, you help Niantic decide which ones to accept. This is optional, but it can speed up the review process for everyone. You earn badges and reputation by reviewing fairly and consistently.

What happens after you submit your nomination

After submission, your nomination enters a queue. Niantic's automated system checks it first for obvious problems — missing photos, offensive language, or locations that are clearly private property. If it passes that check, it goes to human reviewers. This stage can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months, depending on how many nominations are in the queue.

You will receive a notification in the Pokémon Go app or via email when your nomination is reviewed. The notification will tell you whether it was accepted, rejected, or marked as a duplicate. If it was accepted, the Pokéstop will appear on the map within a few days. If it was rejected, the notification will usually explain why — for example, "This location is on private property" or "A similar nomination already exists nearby."

Why nominations get rejected and how to resubmit

The most common reasons for rejection are: the location is on private property, a similar Pokéstop already exists nearby, the photo is unclear or too distant, the description does not explain why the location matters, or the location is in a dangerous area. Read the rejection reason carefully — it tells you what to fix.

You can resubmit the same location if your first nomination was rejected. Take a new photo from a different angle, write a new description that addresses the reason for rejection, and submit again. If the rejection said the photo was unclear, make sure your new photo is bright and shows the location clearly. If it said the location is a duplicate, check the map again to see if a new stop has appeared nearby, or try nominating a different location entirely.

There is no limit to how many times you can resubmit the same location, but Niantic recommends waiting at least a few weeks between attempts. If you resubmit too quickly with only minor changes, it may be rejected again for the same reason.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for a Pokéstop nomination to be reviewed?

The review process typically takes two to eight weeks, but can take longer depending on the volume of nominations Niantic is processing. You will receive a notification when your nomination has been reviewed, whether it was accepted or rejected. There is no way to speed up the process.

Can I nominate a location that is on someone else's property?

No. Niantic rejects nominations for private property, including homes, businesses, and gated communities. The location must be publicly accessible and not require trespassing. If you are unsure whether a location is public, check with the property owner or local government first.

What if my nomination was rejected but I think it should have been accepted?

You can resubmit the same location with a new photo and description. Read the rejection reason and address it directly in your new submission. If you believe the rejection was a mistake, you can also ask other players in your local Pokémon Go community for feedback on your nomination before resubmitting.

Do I need to be a high-level player to nominate Pokéstops?

No. Any player with a Niantic account can nominate locations, regardless of their level in Pokémon Go. However, you must be at least 18 years old to submit nominations through Wayfarer.

Can I nominate multiple locations at once?

Yes, you can submit as many nominations as you want. However, Niantic limits how many nominations you can have in review at the same time — this limit varies and changes over time. Check the Pokémon Go app or Wayfarer to see how many active nominations you currently have.