Guide
Spotting and mapping
How spotters find, photograph, and catalogue real-world places on a shared community map.
Last updated: 11 July 2026
What is spotting?
Spotting is the practice of finding and documenting things in the real world: places, objects, landmarks, or anything your community agrees to map together.
Spotters note where something is, what it is, and often add photographs. Over time, a group builds a living atlas rather than a one-off list.
What to record on the map
Each pin should give future spotters enough context to find the place again and understand why it matters to your community:
- Accurate coordinates (stand at the spot when pinning, where safe and lawful)
- Clear photos that show the subject and its surroundings
- A short, searchable title and any category your community uses
- Street address or nearest landmark where helpful
- Notes on condition, rarity, sources, or verification status if relevant
Browse or start a community atlas
On SpotterAtlas, each niche runs its own public or private atlas with shared categories and moderation. Browse the directory for a group that matches your interest, or start your own if nothing fits yet.
Verified entries and consistent fields keep the map trustworthy as more spotters contribute.