Now we all know what QR codes are. QR stands for Quick Response, now anyone who has ever tried to use one will know that they use the term “quick” very liberally. It takes around 23 seconds from seeing a QR code to actual recognition of scan. That is a rather long time for a Quick Response. However this is not my biggest problem with QR codes, the usage of them tends to be horrendous. It is my number 1 pet hate, QR codes require an interent connection to take you to the specified URL so why would anyone ever think it is a good idea to put them on underground posters? Tube trains? That is as useful as a chocolate teapot.

Now on to QR code killers. There is no such thing, why? QR codes are tiny, barely anyone uses them and they should not be seen as a standard to live up to. There have been more and more articles saying how this new system is going to take the crown from QR codes. What they fail to mention is that the crown is made of wood and who wants a wooden crown?

Whoever rules over this area of the market is basically ruling over a cult. There are very few people who use QR codes. Personally I can’t resist a QR code no matter how long it takes me to scan it but is that is rare and it only because I am a geek. I must however admit that I have never had a fantastic experience using them and I am less and less excited about it when I see one. The current crop of advertisers are ruining what has the potential to be great. Poor placement and over exaggerated expectations equal a bad user experience. Scan the QR code below!

Standard practice for QR codes

We commend these advertisers for what they do with creative usages and the initial CTR will be high but these negative experiences are killing the QR code and hindering the growth. My basic opinion is that these negative experiences make people far less likely to do it again and therefore the effectiveness decreases along with CTR until basically nobody uses them.

QR codes have potential, the readers need to be integrated into the camera app and not as a separate app, people need to know why they are using the code and also it needs to be in a great location. Baiting people in with pictures is all well and good but this has to be backed up with some serious content. The reward needs to be there and until it is QR codes will remain a fad and a gimmick.