Getting Hints from AI

The Michigan Spots AI assistant is your personal treasure hunting companion, ready to provide hints and clues when you’re stuck finding a spot. Here’s how to make the most of this helpful feature.

When to Ask for Hints

Perfect Times to Use AI Hints

You’re in the general area but can’t find the exact spot
The description is confusing or uses unfamiliar terms
You’ve been searching for 10+ minutes without success
The photo doesn’t match what you’re seeing
You want to confirm you’re looking in the right place

When to Try on Your Own First

You just arrived at the location
You haven’t read the full description yet
You’re enjoying the challenge of discovery
You want to earn the satisfaction of finding it yourself

How to Ask for Hints

Using the AI Chat

Open the spot page you’re trying to find
Tap the AI Helper button (usually a chat or lightbulb icon)
Ask your question in natural language
Wait for the response and follow the guidance

Effective Hint Requests

Be Specific About Your Location

❌ “I can’t find this spot” ✅ “I’m standing in the parking lot of the library, but I don’t see the statue mentioned in the description”

Describe What You See

❌ “This doesn’t look right” ✅ “I see a red brick building and a fountain, but the description mentions a gazebo”

Ask About Specific Details

❌ “Help me find this” ✅ “What does ‘behind the old oak tree’ mean? I see several trees here”

Types of Hints You Can Get

Location Clarification

Directional guidance: “Walk 50 feet north from the main entrance”
Landmark identification: “Look for the blue historical marker”
Perspective tips: “The photo was taken from the sidewalk, not the parking lot”

Description Interpretation

Historical context: “The ‘old mill’ refers to the brick building on your left”
Local terminology: “‘The Point’ is what locals call the peninsula area”
Seasonal changes: “The flowers mentioned bloom in spring; look for the garden beds”

Photography Guidance

Best angles: “Stand near the flagpole for the clearest view”
Timing suggestions: “This spot looks best in morning light”
What to include: “Make sure to capture both the sign and the building behind it”

Accessibility Information

Parking details: “There’s a small lot behind the building”
Walking requirements: “It’s about a 5-minute walk from the road”
Physical challenges: “The path has some uneven stones”

Progressive Hint System

The AI provides hints in increasing levels of detail:

Level 1: Gentle Nudge

General direction or area confirmation
Basic landmark identification
Simple clarification of terms

Level 2: More Specific

Detailed directional guidance
Specific features to look for
Historical or cultural context

Level 3: Direct Guidance

Step-by-step directions
Exact positioning information
Clear identification of the target

Level 4: Almost There

Precise location details
What you should be seeing
Final confirmation guidance

Sample Hint Conversations

Example 1: Historic Landmark

You: “I’m at the courthouse but don’t see the memorial mentioned” AI: “The memorial is on the east side of the building, near the employee parking area. Look for a small granite monument with bronze plaques.”

Example 2: Natural Feature

You: “The description says ‘hidden waterfall’ but I only see the main falls” AI: “Follow the trail upstream about 100 yards. You’ll see a smaller path to your right that leads to a secluded cascade behind some large rocks.”

Example 3: Urban Spot

You: “I’m downtown but there are so many murals, which one is it?” AI: “You’re looking for the mural on the north wall of the coffee shop at Main and 3rd Street. It features a lighthouse and was painted in 2019.”

Making the Most of Hints

Follow-Up Questions

Don’t hesitate to ask for clarification:

“Can you be more specific about which entrance?”
“What if the business is closed?”
“Is there another landmark I can use?”

Combine Hints with Exploration

Use hints as starting points, not complete solutions
Look around the suggested area for additional clues
Take time to appreciate the location once you find it

Learn from Each Hint

Notice patterns in how spots are described
Remember successful strategies for similar locations
Build your treasure hunting skills over time

Hint Etiquette

Be Patient

AI responses may take a few seconds
Complex locations might require multiple exchanges
Don’t spam requests if you don’t get an immediate response

Be Grateful

The AI learns from positive interactions
Rate helpful hints positively when prompted
Share successful discoveries with the community

Use Hints Responsibly

Don’t rely on hints for every single spot
Try to solve some challenges independently
Help other players when you can

When Hints Aren’t Enough

Still Can’t Find It?

Check the time: Some spots have limited access hours
Verify the season: Seasonal changes might affect visibility
Ask the community: Other players on Reddit might have tips
Report issues: If something seems wrong, let us know

Technical Problems

AI not responding: Check your internet connection
Hints seem wrong: The location might have changed
Can’t access hint feature: Try restarting the app

Alternative Help Sources

Community forums: r/michiganspots has helpful players
Local knowledge: Ask people in the area
Support team: Contact us for persistent issues

Advanced Hint Features

Contextual Hints

The AI considers:

Your location: GPS data helps provide relevant guidance
Time of day: Some spots look different at different times
Weather conditions: Visibility and accessibility factors
Your experience level: Hints adapt to your skill level

Learning System

The AI improves by:

Tracking successful hints: Learning what works best
User feedback: Your ratings help improve responses
Community data: Popular questions inform better hints
Location updates: Changes to spots are incorporated

Tips for Better Hint Experiences

Prepare Before Asking

Read the full spot description first
Look at all available photos
Try exploring for a few minutes
Note specific questions or confusion points

Communicate Clearly

Use complete sentences
Describe your exact location
Mention what you’ve already tried
Be specific about what’s confusing you

Stay Engaged

Follow the AI’s suggestions actively
Ask follow-up questions if needed
Provide feedback on hint quality
Share your success when you find the spot

Remember, hints are meant to enhance your treasure hunting experience, not replace the joy of discovery. Use them as a helpful guide while still enjoying the adventure of exploration!