Why QR Codes Aren’t So Hot Yet

This shows that yes, QR codes have yet to really take off here in the states, but I still feel it is a little to early to know for sure if they ever will. Reports like these keep writing about how most people struggle with the whole process of scanning a QR code, but my experience has shown otherwise. Not only have I never had problems scanning QR codes, but some of my technically challenged clients have easily figured out how to scan a QR codes without any assistance on my end.

CNN reports:

“.. evidence suggests many people don’t understand what QR codes are or what to do with them.

You might think that if anyone would know how to use a QR code, it would be college students — a demographic that is immersed in technology and bombarded by marketing. But a recent study found that nearly eight in 10 college students had no idea what to do with a QR code.

Archrival, a research group that focuses on youth marketing, surveyed 500 students at 24 colleges and universities across the United States. They found that although about 80% of students owned a smartphone and had previously seen a QR code, only about 20% were able to successfully scan the example QR code they were shown.

Furthermore, about 75% said they were unlikely to scan a QR code in the future.

‘Why the discrepancy?’ wrote Don Aguirre, brand manager at Archrival. ‘Students simply struggled with the process. Some didn’t know a third-party app was needed [to scan the QR code]. Many mistakenly assumed it could be activated with… ” [Read more]

Have you had any troubles scanning QR codes personally? Leave a comment and let us know!