What is a QR Code?

A quick response (QR) code is a barcode that appears in a square pattern and stores encoded data. It can also be considered a data storage medium, like a thumb drive, used to create digital marketing entities on physical objects through rapid mobile web services. 

When a user scans with a QR code reader, they gain immediate access to the content a QR code encodes, which will then trigger an action. These include opening a specific URL in the user’s web browser, automatically checking in to a location, or connecting to a wireless network. QR codes are usually used to store American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII) text but can also store binary code.

QR codes were first created in 1994 by Denso Wave, a subsidiary of the Japanese firm Toyota Group, and quickly became a standard in Japan through the early 2000s. They expanded into use across the USA and Europe in 2010. QR barcode generation is now increasingly common because QR codes are easy for people to scan using their smartphones, which then open up webpages, check the user in to locations, and unlock special offers from flyers, magazines, posters, and more.

QR codes are used for a wide variety of purposes, and multiple types of QR code images are created to carry out different actions through smartphones.

Common types of QR codes include:

1. QR Code Model 1 and Model 2: These are the regular QR codes that appear in cafes and shops and in magazines for marketing purposes. They include common QR codes that can be used to encode data for Google Maps locations, image galleries, Portable Document Formats (PDFs), Uniform Resource Locators (URLs), and vCards or electronic business cards. Model 1 QR Codes can store up to 1,167 numerals while Model 2 can store up to 7,089.
2. Micro QR Code: A Micro QR Code only contains one position detection pattern rather than the three on regular QR codes, which makes it easy to print on small surfaces. It encodes letters or numbers of up to 2,335 characters in length and is typically used on food packaging.
3. Data Matrix: A Data Matrix QR Code encodes text or numeric data up to 1,556 bytes and up to 2,335 characters in length.
4. iQR Code: An iQR Code can be either square or rectangular and printed in dot pattern, inversion, or turned-over code. It can store up to 40,000 numerals.
5. SQRC Code: An SQRC Code looks the same as regular QR codes but is restricted to storing confidential information.
6. FrameQR Code: A FrameQR Code contains a frame area that can be used to store images and letters for promotional activities.
7. HCC2D Code: The High-Capacity Colored 2-Dimensional (HCC2D) Code is a proposed format that increases data density and enables QR codes to handle chromatic distortions.

Other types and usages of QR codes include the following:

There are many applications that help smartphone users read QR codes, but the simplest way to use them is to open up the phone’s camera and point it at a QR code. The phone will automatically screenshot and decrypt the code, taking the user to the information encoded by the QR code.

This type of QR code generation will automatically send the user that scanned the QR code to a specific webpage. Website QR codes are the most common type of QR code. They are a simple method for brands to take users to their websites or products they want them to engage with or purchase.

A business card QR code is a form of vCard code. A user can put all their contact details—such as their business name and location, email address, and social media profiles—into a QR code generator, then use the vCard to share their personal details with new contacts. These are useful as they enable users to update their information at any time without having to reprint business cards. They make it easy for customers to find business information, and they can generate leads when placed on marketing material.

Wi-Fi QR codes enable a user to connect to a Wi-Fi network without requiring them to enter its name or passcode. This can be useful as it removes the hassle of entering passwords. The user simply scans the QR code to get online. However, it is vital to only connect to trusted Wi-Fi networks using QR codes.

Short Message Service (SMS) QR codes can be used to send a specific text message to users. They are typically used by organizations like banks, retailers, and restaurants in place of posters and often carry higher conversion rates.

Email QR codes work in the same way as SMS QR codes, only they enable the sharing of content to email addresses.

Scan-to-call QR Codes enable users to make a phone call without dialing a number. They are often placed on advertisements, billboards, inside stores, or on products for customer support.

An app store QR code works in the same way as a URL code, only it takes a user to the app store of their mobile device, such as the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

Event QR codes enable organizers to help attendees add events to their calendars, provide more details and location information about the event, and sell additional products such as VIP passes. They can also be used to sell exclusive content, provide information about special offers, and enable cashless payments at events.

Geocode QR codes enable the sharing of a specific location. The QR code creator enters the latitude and longitude coordinates of the location, and when scanned, the user can easily discover the location using their favorite maps application.

Text codes are the simplest form of QR code. Raw text gets encoded within the QR code, and when the code is scanned, the original text will be displayed on the user’s screen.

All of the QR code types listed above can be used for a single purpose or in one-off campaigns. However, dynamic QR codes can be edited to update the details of an event or change the URL users are sent to.

A QR code is an easy way to send customers to a digital destination. They provide the quickest digital route from point A to B. For example, a restaurant's QR code posted at a bus stop can instantly bring current and potential patrons to the restaurant's latest specials and promotions page. It's faster than typing in a web address, performing an online search, or navigating through multiple pages to find today's deals.

There are various ways QR codes can be used now, as you will see in the succeeding sections. In the future, QR code applications will likely expand, and QR codes may play an integral role in automated systems that require robots to access dynamic instructions. 

QR codes come with a variety of benefits, such as::

• They provide instant access to vital information
• It is easy to post them anywhere in public, on a shop floor, a website, or in promotional material
  
• Most smartphones have in-built QR code scanning features
• They can store way more characters than a barcode
• They are highly customizable—you can add your logo and customize the colors
• Some QR code generators provide the ability to track scan activity and even the GPS location of those scans
• They are quick and easy to set up—no need for handheld scanners

QR codes have seen a rapid increase in popularity in recent years, but their uptake has often been held back by concerns around security. For example, it is easy for a cyber criminal to place a QR code that sends users to malicious websites that steal user data or payment information.

Common QR code security risks include:

This involves an individual putting their own QR code, typically on a poster, that sends users to another website, which could be malicious. Also known as Quick Response Code Login Jacking (QRLjacking), this process often uses shortened URLs to hide the true QR code destination.

QR code take-up has been hampered by some smartphones not being able to natively scan them. This forced users to download third-party apps to scan a code that forwards them to a website. The QR code scanning capability was only recently added to iPhone cameras and is not yet widely adopted on Android devices.

QR code scanning is frequently susceptible to providing data that is inaccurate or unreliable, particularly when it comes to tracking location and proximity activity.

Using QR codes to check in to a location is important, but it is equally useful to know when an individual departed. Most check-in QR codes obtain details when people enter a building but rarely when they leave, which risks incomplete movement records.

Using QR codes to check in to a location is important, but it is equally useful to know when an individual departed. Most check-in QR codes obtain details when people enter a building but rarely when they leave, which risks incomplete movement records.

The success of using QR codes for contact tracing has been affected by their lack of effectiveness. For example, QR codes listed in bars and restaurants often do not work, which means people cannot scan into the establishment.