The Ultimate Flex: Pokémon GO Player Gets Their House Approved as a PokéStop

For many Pokémon GO trainers, living in an area with a high density of PokéStops and Gyms is the ultimate dream. These key locations are the lifeblood of the game, providing a steady supply of Poké Balls, potions, and other essential items. So, when a player on Reddit recently shared a screenshot and story of their friend’s house being approved as a PokéStop, the community erupted in a mix of disbelief, jealousy, and admiration. The post, which has since gone viral, highlights a rare and unique success story within the game’s nomination process and provides a fascinating look into the often-mysterious world of Niantic Wayfarer.

The original post, which has now amassed thousands of upvotes and comments, featured a screenshot of a new PokéStop with a blurred-out name and description. The poster explained that the house, which belongs to a friend, was approved because it is a historic residence once owned by a prominent legislator. While the approval of a private residence as a PokéStop is typically a red flag for reviewers, the unique historical significance of this particular location made it a valid “Wayspot” under Niantic’s criteria. This is a crucial distinction that separates a simple, unadorned house from a landmark that has historical or cultural value, proving that the rules of the game are not always as black and white as they seem.

The Niantic Wayfarer Criteria and the “Historic” Loophole

The Niantic Wayfarer program is the backbone of the company’s real-world gaming experiences. It’s a system where experienced players can submit and review potential new Wayspots—locations that could become PokéStops or Gyms. The guidelines are extensive and are designed to promote locations that are safe, publicly accessible, and have a clear purpose, such as a place for exploration, exercise, or socialization. For this reason, a private residence is almost always rejected. Niantic’s official guidelines explicitly state that submissions including “Private residences” or “Places with limited public access” will be rejected. So, how did this player get their home approved?

The key lies in the “historic or educational value” criteria. A Wayspot can be a “place with a story to tell,” and a historic residence fits that description perfectly. A typical house is a home; a historic house, particularly one that was home to a notable figure, is a landmark. The fact that the house’s historical significance was likely well-documented and verifiable would have been a major factor in its approval. This is not about getting a PokéStop at your house for personal gain; it’s about a player successfully identifying a legitimate Wayspot that also happens to be where they live. The post serves as a perfect example of how an otherwise ineligible location can be approved if it meets the core criteria in a unique way. It’s a reminder for players in rural areas to look for these “hidden gems” of history in their own neighborhoods.

The Community Reaction: Disbelief and Jealousy

The post’s popularity is a testament to the community’s fascination with the Wayfarer process. Many players expressed their jealousy, with comments like “I’m jealous, I would love to get a PokéStop at my house.” Others, however, were more critical, questioning the legitimacy of the approval and pointing out that such submissions are almost always rejected. This led to a healthy discussion in the comments section about the nuances of the Wayfarer system, with veteran reviewers weighing in on why the submission would have been approved. The consensus was that the historical context and the quality of the submission—including clear photos and a detailed description—were likely the deciding factors.

The post also serves as a cautionary tale for players who may be tempted to try and get their own house approved. The Niantic Wayfarer community is a large and dedicated group of reviewers, and they can easily spot a submission that is trying to bend the rules. The player who got their house approved succeeded not because they cheated the system, but because their house was, in fact, a legitimate landmark. The post is an important reminder that the game’s locations are not just random spots on a map; they are curated points of interest that are meant to encourage exploration and engagement with the real world.

Conclusion: A Rare Success Story

The Pokémon GO community loves a good success story, and a player getting their house approved as a PokéStop is one for the ages. It’s a moment that perfectly captures the unique blend of real-world exploration and digital gameplay that makes the game so special. While it’s not a tactic that every player can replicate, it is a fun and inspiring example of how a player can contribute to the game’s ever-growing world. The story of this historic house-turned-PokéStop will likely be remembered as a legendary moment within the community, proving that sometimes, the best places to catch Pokémon are right in our own backyards.