Comment by markcerqueira

> They consistently incentivize you to scan pokestops (physical locations) through "research tasks" and give you some useful items as rewards.

There are plenty of non-scan tasks you can do to get those rewards as well but I do think Poffins (largely useless unless you are grinding Best Buddies) are locked behind scan tasks.

Source: Me. This is the one topic I am very qualified to speak to on this website.