Points of Interest

are locations in Pokmon GO that are either PokStops or Pokmon Gyms. Players who’ve reached level 40 can suggest improvements to an in-game location’s title, description, real-world location, or photo directly from the app. For more information and guidelines, visit the official Niantic Support article.

Gyms
Gyms are locations in the game that allow the player to engage in various activities. Activities include raiding, Pokmon battling, defending, and spinning the Photodisk for items. One of the three Teams can capture a gym and place up to 6 different species of Pokémon into the gym to defend the location. These locations are less common than Pokstops. Gyms also occasionally reward players with Gifts that can be sent to friends.

Gym Badges
A Gym Badge is awarded the first time the gym is interacted with by the player. These badges can be upgraded to Bronze, Silver, and finally Gold badges which offer bonus item rewards when the gym is spun. Badge XP can be earned in various ways, such as battling a rival gym, raiding at the gym, or by feeding Pokmon defending the gym.

PhotoDisk
The PhotoDisk is a part of gyms that award items upon being spun. It contains an image representing the real-world item or place the location is tied to. The image and information displayed is community-sourced and has been uploaded by a fellow player. For players who have reached level 40, they can submit an updated picture or information of they deem necessary. Unlike PokStops, gyms do not give the player Research Tasks, and only have a chance to give gifts and other items.

PokStops
PokStops are locations allowing players to get free items. Items can be obtained by spinning the Photodisk accessible by tapping on the location while in-range. After use, the PokéStop will turn purple for the trainer and will be unavailable for 5 minutes. These locations can also have a Lure Module activated by a player, increasing Pokmon spawns for 30 minutes after activation. PokStops occasionally reward Gifts and reward the player with a Research Tasks if they have less than 3 tasks active.

PhotoDisk
The PhotoDisk is the main part of the PokStop that rewards players with items. It contains an image representing the real-world item or place the location is tied to. The image and information displayed is community-sourced and has been uploaded by a fellow player. For players who have reached level 40, they can submit an updated picture or information of they deem necessary.

Submitting Locations
Locations can be added by players who have reached level 40 in-game. Submitted locations are reviewed by the community and may be accepted or rejected based on a number of factors. Submissions must be considered high-quality to ensure they are accepted and added. Below are a few pointers from the official Niantic Support article regarding submissions: "To make the most of each nomination, be sure to submit high-quality nominations that have a good chance of being eligible. These categories are considered an eligible candidate for a PokéStop:
 * A location with a cool story, a place in history or educational value
 * An interesting piece of art or unique architecture (Statues, paintings, mosaics, light installations, etc.)
 * A hidden gem or hyper-local spot
 * Public parks
 * Public libraries
 * Public places of worship
 * Major transit stations hubs (like Grand Central Station)"

- Niantic Support

Sponsored Locations
Sponsored locations are either Gyms or PokStops that have been featured by a company or organization partnered with Niantic. Trainers that are part of a child account are unable to view theses sponsored locations in-game. These locations occasionally offer sponsored Research Tasks that give a higher reward than a normal task would.