Player Guide

A few tips to keep the game fun, safe, and kind to the planet.

Stay safe out there

GeoTraders takes you to real places — and that means real-world awareness matters. Here are a few things to keep in mind every time you head out:

• Always be aware of your surroundings. Look up from your phone regularly, especially near roads, water, or uneven terrain.
• Never enter private property, restricted areas, or anywhere you don't have permission to be.
• Avoid dangerous spots — don't climb to risky heights, cross railways, enter bodies of water, or go near hazardous areas.
• Don't play while driving, cycling, or operating any vehicle. Pull over first.
• If a location feels unsafe, trust your instincts and leave. No item is worth your safety.
• Avoid playing in severe weather, in darkness in unfamiliar places, or when you're not feeling well.
• If you're under 18, make sure a parent or guardian knows where you're going.

Hiding items responsibly

When you hide items, you're creating an experience for someone else. Please make sure it's a good one:

• Never hide items in dangerous, hard-to-reach, or risky locations.
• Don't place items on private property or in restricted areas — someone else will need to get there too.
• Avoid locations that require crossing roads, railways, waterways, or other hazards to reach.
• Make sure the spot is publicly accessible and safe for anyone to visit, day or night.

Be eco-friendly

We love that GeoTraders gets people outdoors — let's make sure we leave nature better than we found it:

• Avoid plastic containers. They break down into microplastics and harm the environment.
• Use eco-friendly materials instead — paper, wood, cardboard, or PLA (bio-plastic) containers that decompose naturally.
• The simplest hide is often the best: a code written on a piece of paper or a wooden stick works great.
• Don't leave anything that could become litter if the next player doesn't pick it up.
• If you spot trash while out playing, consider picking it up. Leave the trail cleaner than you found it.

Respect protected nature

Some outdoor areas are protected for a reason — they're home to vulnerable wildlife and plant species. Please play with care:

• Do not hide items in nature reserves, national parks, or other protected areas where it may disturb the environment.
• Stay on marked trails and paths. Avoid trampling vegetation or disturbing wildlife habitats.
• Follow all local rules and signs about protected areas — they exist for a reason.

Read the Terms of Use

This guide covers the essentials, but our Terms of Use go into more detail about what's expected of every player. We strongly recommend reading them — they cover safety obligations, prohibited activities, and your responsibilities while using GeoTraders.