QR codes have become increasingly popular in recent years as a quick and easy way to encode information that can be scanned by smartphones. You’ll see them on everything from advertisements and business cards to menus and product packaging. But one thing you may be wondering is – do QR codes always display different information, or can the same QR code be used to direct to the same destination every time?
What is a QR code?
QR stands for “quick response” code. A QR code is a type of barcode that can be scanned by a smartphone camera using a QR scanner app. The black and white pixel pattern of a QR code encodes some type of data, usually a website URL, text, or contact information. When scanned by a smartphone, the QR scanner app translates the pixel pattern into whatever type of data is encoded. This allows the phone to instantly open a website or display information without the user having to type it in manually.
Visually, a QR code looks like a square black and white graphical pattern. The squares make up a grid, with some squares colored black while others remain white. The distribution of black and white represents binary code that encodes data using values of 0 and 1 to represent the black and white squares. As more data needs to be encoded, more squares are added to increase the size of the QR code and hold more information. Typical sizes range from 21×21 pixels up to 177×177 pixels, depending on the data size.
Static vs. dynamic QR codes
When it comes to whether a QR code remains fixed or can change over time, there are two main categories:
- Static QR codes – These always encode the exact same information every time they are scanned. For example, a QR code printed on a business card will always open that business’s website. The QR code itself does not change.
- Dynamic QR codes – These codes can display different information depending on the context. For example, a restaurant using QR codes for their menus can change the information encoded to display the updated menu each day. The same QR code design reroutes to a different destination URL.
Static QR codes remain forever fixed onto whatever material they are printed or displayed on. Their purpose does not change over time. Dynamic QR codes are digitally generated on screens and set to reroute to changing data sources. They can redirect to different URLs depending on when and where they are scanned.
When are static QR codes used?
Here are some common examples of using permanent, unchanging QR codes:
- Business cards – QR codes on business cards always encode the company website URL.
- Product packaging – QR codes printed on product labels or packages direct buyers to more product information online. The destination does not change for that product.
- Signage – QR code signs, stickers, posters encode an unchanging destination URL like a website or contact info.
- Name badges – QR codes on staff name badges encode info like an online profile, contact card, etc. that does not change.
- Documents – Printed reports, presentations, brochures can have a QR code leading to a related online document/resources.
- Gravestones – QR codes engraved on headstones link to an online memorial page for the deceased.
- Buildings – QR code plaques on buildings provide info about the building which does not change.
In these types of use cases, the intention for the QR code remains fixed, so the code itself does not need to change after being generated. The static code is simply printed or engraved onto the permanent object to always serve that singular purpose.
When are dynamic QR codes used?
Here are some examples where it makes sense to utilize a dynamic, changeable QR code:
- Menus – Daily printed restaurant menus can feature a QR code that changes daily to link to the updated menu.
- Coupons/vouchers – QR codes for limited-time coupons or special offers can change after the offer expires.
- Concert/Event tickets – Ticket vendor QR codes can encode ticket info that changes for each event.
- Tracking shipments – Logistics providers can use dynamic QR codes on parcels that link to the latest tracking info for that package.
- COVID check-ins – Businesses may use a QR code for check-ins that changes daily to prevent falsified data.
- Conference sessions – A conference schedule handout could have QR codes that change to reflect each day’s agenda.
- Product surveys – A QR code for a customer survey about a product could change when the survey period ends.
For these temporary or frequently changing uses, a dynamic code allows the same QR code design to redirect to different destinations as needed over time. Rather than reprinting new codes, the digital code can be automatically updated to direct to new URLs.
How do dynamic QR codes work?
Dynamic QR codes are generated through QR code generator software, apps, or online tools. Unlike static codes that lead to one permanent URL, dynamic codes work by linking to an intermediary redirection service rather than directly to the final endpoint.
Each time the code is scanned, it first sends the request to the intermediary service storing redirect information for that code. The intermediary then forwards the request along to the current URL destination. By updating the redirection rules, the QR code can be resassigned to new URLs without altering the actual QR code image.
For example, a restaurant could have one QR code that routes first to a short URL redirection site. The restaurant can then easily reconfigure the redirection site to point to tomorrow’s menu URL without needing to reprint new QR codes every day. This allows dynamic QR codes to seem static in appearance but redirect to changing destinations.
Benefits of dynamic QR codes
- Saves reprinting costs – Don’t need to generate new code designs for temporary changes
- Easy to update – Just reconfigure the backend redirection rules
- Analytics – Can track scans and redirection behavior
- Flexibility – The QR code graphic stays the same so it works in more printed or digital media use cases
Conclusion
In summary, while static QR codes permanently encode the same destination, dynamic QR codes can change where they redirect to over time. But the QR code design itself does not change visually. Dynamic codes accomplish this by using intermediary redirection services that can be updated in the backend to assign new destinations without altering the actual QR code graphic. This allows dynamic QR codes to be suitable for temporary or frequently changing purposes while static codes work better for permanent applications.