The Subtle Demise of the QR Code

QR Codes (Quick Response codes) are two dimensional barcodes that have information attached to them. These codes are generally scanned by a smartphone (or other device) which translates the barcode information into a webpage that notifies or persuades you to use a specific product. Its original purpose was to track vehicles during the manufacturing process. Marketers  transmuted them into another way to advertise product. QR Codes can now be found on magazine covers, coffee cups, window displays and even on buildings. How useful are they? The QR hype has ended and with the advent of new technology, trends and failing marketing strategies, they may be fading away into our history books.

These QR Codes are dependent on ‘smartphone’ technology. The camera captures the code; then software computes the data and displays the final form to you. With constant advancements in tech, how will this translate? With wearable technology it would impede your functionality. I really don’t see how Google Glass will want people’s line of sight to be completely disrupted by an advertisement for a new car. Will people make the effort to pull out their tablets, just to scan a code? Will smart watches give enough space to actually see the advertisement? Who knows, maybe QR will transform with the tech.

These codes were very popular for a while, but the ‘Trend is up.’ It’s been 20 years since the first QR code and I barely notice their existence. Sure they are around but they don’t relay any information without some effort on my part. Due to the effort, my Barcode Reader App is collecting digital dust. For a new trend to sustain itself it must continuously provide a benefit to society. Instead this causes more effort to view something we could already be looking at.

One of the main causes of QR death is the failure of marketing companies (departments) to properly promote the technology. How is a QR code on a moving vehicle going to promote a product if no one can ever scan it? Difficulties ingrained in the marketing have led us to be less enthusiastic unless we get something out of it. Even then, QR code coupons make us debate the effort vs the return on investment. If you don’t make it exciting enough in the first 3 seconds then I’m not scanning it.

There is much evidence that can be garnered to further authenticate the thought that QR codes are dying. Without a major evaluation and renovation of this marketing technology, the QR trend will be simply that…a trend. Advancing technology will soon surpass the need for it, and right now there is not enough popularity to keep it as a viable solution for advertising. QR codes have lost their ‘Fame’ and soon, may be forgotten.