Are scans of PokéStops or Gyms used to determine if they are still valid?

No, Niantic does not use AR scans to determine whether a PokéStop or Gym should be removed.

What do I get for contributing?

Some PokéStops and Gyms have an “AR Mapping” tag, which indicates that you’ll receive an AR Mapping Field Research task when you spin their Photo Discs. You can receive in-game rewards for completing these tasks. Your contributions also help Niantic deliver new types of AR experiences in the future.

Do I have to capture the entire object in the frame? What if the object is too big (for example, the tower of a building)?

If the object is too big or too far away to capture with a single scan, try scanning the object with multiple scans, keeping some good overlap between each scan.

Can I scan the same object multiple times?

Yes. Try taking scans at different times of the day or in different weather conditions.

What if I get people/cars in my recording?

Faces and license plates will be obscured, but try to capture the object without obstructions if it’s possible to do so.

How do I upload videos later if I don’t want to use my cellular data?

Tap the “Upload Later” button and go to your Settings menu to upload when you’re connected to Wi-Fi.

What happens when I submit a PokéStop Scan? Are PokéStop Scans accepted and rejected by reviewers, similar to PokéStop nominations?

PokéStop Scans aren’t reviewed by players in the same way PokéStop nominations are. Instead, they are processed automatically on Niantic’s secure servers.