Google's QR code promotion

Industry: Friday 11th December 2009

Google is using QR (quick recognition) to promote its Local Business service. The company have printed the barcodes on window stickers and are currently distributing these to the most searched for 100,000 local businesses.

The stickers contain a unique QR code for each business, which by-passers can scan with their mobile. This will direct the user the business' Google Place Page. Once on this page, users will be able to view further information, such as reviews, coupons, phone and email contact details and save of store the listing.

Phones will need to be equipped with a camera and a barcode scanner app - some handsets contain QR readers by default, otherwise it is simple to download a reader and most are free.

Google are advising Andriod users to use free Barcode Scanner app and iPhone users to download the QuickMark app from the App Store. The first 40,000 QuickMark app downloads are being offered for free as part of the promotion.

What does this mean for the mobile marketing industry?

We have been seeing a few large-scale QR campaigns this year. The most noticeable brands using QR technology are Marks & Spencer, Pepsi, BMW and Volvo. The QR concept, with its capability of transmitting large amounts of information to people's handsets, is being praised by marketers. But the uptake is still lacking far behind countries such as Japan. The industry has been suffering from lack of campaign data. This is not holding back Google and the brand may with its dominance actually make an impact on QR marketing. Watch this space.

Want to know more about QR codes?

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