You're Using QR Codes More Than You Realize

by Abrar Khandoker | Last Updated: Sep 14, 2017

After watching this week’s much-anticipated Apple Event, it’s clear that the tech giants of the world are focused on the consumer more than ever. Each new feature announced built off of what consumers know and love about Apple’s current product lineup, but took it to the next level with new technology and a focus on a seamless experience...which is why we were thrilled to hear about iOS 11 providing QR code reading capabilities within the native camera. Consumers are turning to scannable tech more than ever for engaging brand experiences, and this recent addition from Apple is just one of many signs that prove that QR codes are getting their second wind. The Hidden Potential Behind QR Technology Due to a history of linking to broken, unhelpful, or irrelevant content, QR codes didn't make the best first impression. Nowadays, though, QR codes have the ability to provide frictionless, personalized experiences. And the use cases for personalization with this scannable technology are endless. Perhaps the most valuable use, though, is the ability for QR codes to help launch highly customized and personalized cloud-based apps for every user. Now, with more phones than people in the world (8.05 billion devices compared to 7.5 billion people, to be exact) and over 3 hours of every American's day spent on a mobile device, it's hard to argue the potential of QR codes. Enterprise companies also see this potential.

While retailers continue to use QR codes to promote their brands, tech giants have also acknowledged QR’s presence. In step with Apple, Facebook’s Messenger app is already ahead of the curve by having opened the door to mass adoption of QR codes, as it already allows its 1.2 billion users to scan QR codes without ever leaving the app–making QR codes more accessible than ever. Wait, That’s A QR Code? As mobile devices and device usage continue to grow every day, the possible uses of QR codes are constantly growing as well. Millennials are using QR codes in their social lives, whether they know it or not. Snapchat provides "Snapcodes" for users to add other users to their networks or to access a brand's website, and Spotify enables users to share songs by simply scanning a code off of another user's screen. The codes have even worked their way into payment systems in multiple areas of the world. In India, both Visa and MasterCard allow shoppers to make purchases by scanning codes. Over the course of 2016, WeChat's payment system, WeChatPay, experienced a 93% usage of its QR-based payment method. Corporations Are Catching On Just as Visa, MasterCard, and WeChat have seen the potential of QR codes, other major retailers and brands believe that QR codes are here to stay. Disney uses QR codes to provide exclusive content within their games, while Jeep and Pepsi present Snapcodes to increase social engagement. Coca-Cola takes a different approach by offering a $1 discount on a customer's next Coke purchase each time they scan a QR code. As the future looks to be full of the codes, tech giants and leading companies are aiming to capitalize on its newfound value. If you need more convincing before you join us in the QR code fan club, check out our infographic, 7 Reasons You Should Reconsider QR Codes.

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You're Using QR Codes More Than You Realize

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