In the last month, Pokémon Go, the augmented reality mobile game based on the Pokémon entertainment franchise, burst onto the scene and sent people out to explore the world around them. This is a great evolution for gaming, but presents a slightly awkward conundrum for business owners.
Players chase virtual creatures through the very real world—sometimes businesses—in an attempt to “catch ‘em all.” Some companies have been using the attention to garner more business—luring creatures into their area in hopes that customers will follow. Yelp even added a filter for Pokémon to its business listings.
However, if your business has restricted space that would unsafe for unauthorized personnel to access, or if your work is not conducive to interruption by random strangers, Niantic, the makers of the game, have a way to opt out. Visit the support page of Pokemon Go and submit a request to be removed. Make sure to articulate why your business is an unsafe place for players and include contact information. If you don’t hear back from Niantic, follow up until you do.
By Prasana William
Small Business Solutions 