These interesting looking icons are “QR” Codes. QR is short for Quick Response. This technology is definitely not new, but it is becoming more popular in the United States as smart phones take over the marketplace. This two-dimensional code, made up of squares and patterns, is a shortcut that can be read through your phone’s camera once you have downloaded the software. In fact, the next generation iPhone will come equipped with the QR reader program already installed. As you hold your phone over the code, your camera will read the code and automatically take you to a website or webpage, launch a video, play music or a game.

The Barcode News recently released statistics that show a 4,549% growth in the use of QR codes from the 1st Quarter 2010 to the 1st Quarter 2011.  The leading age group of users is 35-44 years of age. However, the 55+ age group is trending up from 11% in December to 13% in May.

What can this code do for you? It can achieve many things, but one of the major benefits to marketers today is in how we track print publications and how they interact with websites. A custom QR code can be written to embed the print publication name from where the person scanned the code. This gives a tracking method for print advertising, compared to how we previously had to depend on the individual to tell us that they viewed the ad.

Additional methods starting to appear in the market are the incorporation of QR codes in television spots, business cards, websites, mall displays, airport displays, billboards, sales offices, signage, t-shirts—the opportunities are limitless.  In fact, you will soon start to see individuals with tattoos that send you to their personal websites!

To see how QR codes work, download the scanner program from your smart phone or iPad at www.mobile-barcodes.com or from the app store on your phone. Then, open the program and hold your phone over the code below. Enjoy!