Forgot password
Enter the email address you used when you joined and we'll send you instructions to reset your password.
If you used Apple or Google to create your account, this process will create a password for your existing account.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Reset password instructions sent. If you have an account with us, you will receive an email within a few minutes.
Something went wrong. Try again or contact support if the problem persists.
Image via Niantic

Niantic to offer 1,000 local businesses free advertising in Pokémon Go

Niantic is opening another avenue to support local communities.
This article is over 4 years old and may contain outdated information

Niantic has been open about its plans to support people and communities in the current global health climate. And now, local businesses are being added to the list of initiatives the company is working on helping. 

Recommended Videos

In a project titled the Local Business Recovery Program, the company is asking its community to identify 1,000 local businesses that need help getting back on their feet and will offer those companies free advertising in the form of Pokémon Go integration. 

The 1,000 selected businesses will have their location turned into a PokéStop or Gym within the in-game map. This will provide those businesses with increased foot traffic as players stop by to clear out the gym, compete in raids, or just spin the PokéStop for rewards. 

“As it becomes safe to get together, businesses will be able to use our [Niantic’s] tools to run campaigns at their in-game location through activities like scheduled raid battles,” said civic and social impact senior manager Yennie Solheim. “As with all locations in our games, we will have basic business guidelines to insure the spot meets the appropriate PokéStop requirements.”

Obviously, this doesn’t guarantee that those players will actually go into the shop and spend money, but it will increase location awareness and drive repeat visits to the area that would have otherwise not factored into potential sales. 

Initially, this offer will only be available in North America, Mexico, Japan, and the United Kingdom because those are the markets where Niantic can provide the best support structure for businesses. 

More details on how players can nominate their local businesses and all of the guidelines involved with the Local Business Recovery Program can be found on Niantic’s official website.


Dot Esports is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more about our Affiliate Policy
Author
Image of Cale Michael
Cale Michael
Lead Staff Writer for Dota 2, the FGC, Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh!, and more who has been writing for Dot Esports since 2018. Graduated with a degree in Journalism from Oklahoma Christian University and also previously covered the NBA. You can usually find him writing, reading, or watching an FGC tournament.