What to Nominate

The feature of nominating objects to become PokéStops in Pokémon Go has been around for a good bit of time at this point, and many will have made good use of it. I myself have done so as well, as evident in my two posts about my own nominations. I'm due to make another one based on my recent nominations, but I'll save it for a later time. Right now, I want to discuss about a related issue, which is that of the objects to be nominated in the first place. It may become a tough thing to decide which ones to nominate or otherwise leave alone.

The guidelines for nominations are quite descriptive, and there is even an adjunct for explanations of nominations that fit. Even with these, it might seem that some nominations might go one way or another. There is even a supplementary set of guidelines for other specific things. It might seem a lot to go through, including me. Based on these, however, it seems possible to determine objects to nominate "in a nutshell", so to speak. I've taken pretty much the entirety of these guidelines, as well as my collective experience with my and others' nominations, and come up with rules of thumb in do/don't form.

DO: Nominate public hangouts and significant cultural features in open public spaces
DON'T: Nominate anything in private or critical spaces that cannot be walked up to

An object that is significantly meaningful historically, culturally, and/or artistically should be nominated, especially if people can walk up to them. Public hangouts include spots where locals gather, including parks, libraries, places of worship, major transport hubs, and even athletic fields, playgrounds, post offices, and lighthouses. The key words are "public" and "walkable" because if they are in someone's home or schools (private spaces), can disrupt emergency services (critical spaces), or just cannot be walked to, then they just don't fit to be nominated.

DO: Nominate objects that are permanent, stationary, and/or uniquely crafted
DON'T: Nominate objects that are temporary, moving, and/or mass-produced

PokéStops should represent objects that are ever-present and of unique human creation. Objects that are only on special occasions or are natural features (which may indeed also be non-permanent and/or evolving, considering an extended range of time) wouldn't qualify. Art that has potential to disappear with time wouldn't work, as would flagpoles without something at the base to make them unique. While something as a lake doesn't fit, man-made markers that lead to them may fit, depending on their significance.

DO: Nominate objects that are highly visible, in some manner
DON'T: Nominate objects with poor visibility, whatever the case

Since nominations require taking a picture, most nominations (especially outdoor ones) should be made in the daytime, when they are likely to be more visible, particularly considering even today's phone cameras. They also shouldn't be blurry, unclear, or taken while moving, or contain people who are specifically camera-aware and in focus. Perhaps most importantly, considering the review process, it is well worth it to nominate something that can be immediately checked for visibility - that is, most likely through Street View - before nominating other, less visible objects.

DO: Nominate objects with room to play around and are friendly for all
DON'T: Nominate objects in tight locations or are specifically for adults

With PokéStops that can potentially turn into Gyms, it is expected that groups of people would come to objects to play, so the nominated objects should ideally (be able to) accommodate these groups of people. Since Pokémon and Pokémon Go are also popular for everyone, nominated objects should not be something that is evidently for grown-ups with potentially damaging futures; they should be for everyone, with potentially blissful futures at hand.

These four rules of thumb should sufficiently cover all (if not most of) the bases for nominating objects to be made into PokéStops in Pokémon Go. They should make it clear and simple which ones should be nominated, thereby expanding the overworld with valuable objects representing the real world, and which ones should just remain in the real world. While what happens after a nomination is submitted isn't necessarily so, at least for the time that follows, the same clarity and simplicity can be expected for Pokémon Go when they do become realized as such.

One year ago: Cryptic Pokémon
Two years ago: Two Games at Once?
Three years ago: Cosplay: Japan LovEvolution Vol. 2 - Kaizen