What Is A QR Code?

A Quick Response or QR code is a type of matrix barcode which was invented in 1994 by the Japanese automotive company Denso Wave and was developed to access information or data which is stored on a unique layout of pixels within a square grid.

Standard barcodes which are located on products within a store use a linear code which is read from top to bottom which only allows for a small amount of data to be stored and read. However, QR codes are scanned from top to bottom and right to left which allows it to store a larger amount of data and information.

Originally being used to track products within a supply chain, most smartphones now have in built QR code readers and are increasingly being used within marketing campigns to track user interactions or to carry out other automated and quick access functions from mobile devices.

The data stored in a QR code can include website URLs, phone numbers, or up to 4,000 characters of text which allows them to be used for other functions such as:

• Send a standard sms message or instantly open a chat app such as WhatsApp, Snapchat or Telegram and send a message
• Access online accounts with built in authentication to verify login details
• To download an app from the Google, Apple or Windows app stores
• Access WiFi instantly using stored network names and passords
• Send or receive payments