Do QR Codes Expire? The Answer— Yes and No
Do QR codes expire? When talking about QR code expiration, it can depend.
Static QR codes are free QR codes that do not expire. You can generate as many static QRs as you want with a free QR code generator online, and the validity of your QR codes will last for a lifetime.
If you choose an advanced, editable, and trackable type of QR code, a dynamic QR is a better option in the long run. They offer various useful features for business and marketing.
Although dynamic QR codes will require you to pay for their service, they are more beneficial in the long run than static QR codes.
Read this blog to learn more about QR code expiration and the differences between a QR code that does not expire (static) and a QR code that requires an active subscription (dynamic).
Table of Contents
Types of QR codes
Common questions asked about QR codes include: How long do they last? Are QR codes permanent? How long will it take to expire?
Well, the answer actually depends on the QR code type.
Static QR code (free and does not expire)
Do static QR codes expire?
Static QR codes are a type of free QR code that doesn't expire. As long as the data is active or accessible, they can last a lifetime.
When a user generates a QR code in a static type, the data embedded in the QR code is unchangeable and will redirect the scanner to permanent information.
You can create static QR codes without any fees using a free QR code generator online, but you cannot change the embedded data and can’t track their scanning activity.
The good news is that static QR codes provide unlimited scans, making them useful for storing information that does not require frequent changes.
Dynamic QR code (requires an active subscription)
When a user creates a dynamic QR code, the stored content or information is changeable.
In other words, when a user wants to change the URL or the content of his dynamic QR code, he no longer has to print another one.
The creator can also track his scanning activity, such as the total and unique number of scans, when the QR code receives the most scans, the location of his scanners, and the devices they use to access the code.
Moreover, dynamic QR codes require a paid subscription as they are more advanced than static QR codes.
Dynamic QR codes are flexible and contain a lot of features.
Question: Does a code generator expire?
Well, it depends.
A free code generator creates QR codes that don't expire. QR TIGER offers a freemium plan—totally free and with no expiry.
You can create as many static QR codes as you like with an infinite number of scans. You can also create three dynamic QR codes with a 500-scan limit each for any of the advanced QR code solutions available on the platform.
For a dynamic QR code platform, your existing account activation can depend on your subscription plan and billing schedule (monthly or annual basis).
Free QR code solutions you can create with QR TIGER that do not expire
Here are nine QR code types you can generate for free:
URL QR code to direct scanners to a specific landing page (can be static or dynamic)
One good way of sharing links is to use a URL QR code solution to convert your links into QR codes and make them accessible by scanning the code using a smartphone device.
In addition, this eliminates the need for people to type lengthy links manually.
Do free QR codes expire? The answer is yes and no.
Users can decide whether to generate a QR code that can expire or a QR code that does not expire.
Automatically connect to WiFi using a Wifi QR code (static)
Nowadays, people often ask for Wi-Fi passwords right away when they arrive in hotels, tourist spots, metro stations, restaurants, and even bus stops to stay in touch with the rest of the world.
In addition, public places are now using Wi-Fi QR codes to make it easy for people to connect to Wi-Fi networks.
To create one, simply specify the type of network you have, input its SSID and password on the platform, and generate.
Collect responses with a Google Form QR code (can be static or dynamic)
You can use a Google Form QR code to convert your Google form into a QR code and collect responses in a scan.
With QR codes for surveys, you can find out what your audience has to say about your service, which will help you improve your business.
Facebook QR code (can be static or dynamic)
YouTube QR code (can be static or dynamic)
Instead of asking your viewers to key in the full URL of the video and search for it online, a YouTube QR code is a quick and easy way to display a YouTube video.
The video you want to share with your target audience will open up automatically when they scan the YouTube QR code with their mobile devices.
Instagram QR code (can be static or dynamic)
You can use a free code generator online to generate an Instagram QR code that will let you create custom color QR codes that don't expire for your page.
With an Instagram QR code, users can share relevant posts and profiles with the users they want to reach.
Instead of using Instagram nametags to be scanned, you can use Instagram QR codes to send people to your profile.
Pinterest QR code (can be static or dynamic)
Email QR code for your email address (static)
People who scan your email QR code will be automatically taken to your email address and able to send you a message immediately.
Text QR code (can be static or dynamic)
If you wish to generate text QR codes in bulk, you will need to upgrade to a dynamic QR code.
Dynamic QR codes you can generate with QR TIGER for business and marketing
Here's more advanced QR code solutions that are highly useful for businesses and professionals:
Social media QR code to connect all your apps
A social media QR code or a Link Page QR code allows people to store social media links, e-commerce links, and delivery apps in one QR code.
It can boost their internet exposure, especially if the company uses social media or e-commerce sites like Etsy.
When clients scan the QR code, they’ll be redirected to a mobile-optimized landing page with all their social media and company pages.
They can tap their cellphones to follow or browse your business pages. Users can add a video preview, YouTube videos, meta tags, and store business hours to their QR code.
Scanning a social media QR code will take you to a web page that links and connects all your social media channels and digital resources.
This makes it easier for people to follow, subscribe to, and like you on social media platforms.
Business card QR code
Add QR codes to your business cards so your clients can quickly find out more about you. You can also link your social media accounts with the QR code on your card.
It will make you more well-known and improve your chances of getting new customers and business partners.
For example, vCard QR codes in healthcare are a dynamic solution for healthcare providers containing information from an electronic business card.
The QR code can contain various basic details, including contact details, an address, affiliation with a company or organization, social media profiles, a website, an email address, and much more.
When the vCard is scanned using a smartphone device, the scanner can immediately download your contact information on their smartphone device.
Using the bulk vCard QR code feature, you can add multiple QR codes on one page for seamless production.
File QR code to digitize documents
When someone scans a file QR code with a smartphone, he will be taken automatically to a document or file you have embedded into the QR code, which will show up on the user’s phone.
It could be a PowerPoint, Word, Excel, MP4, or many other files.
Menu QR code
A menu QR code is a QR code solution wherein restaurant owners can digitize their restaurant menus.
Custom landing page QR code
A landing page QR code, or an H5 editor QR code, is a dynamic QR code solution that lets you make your landing page without buying a domain name or hosting site.
With this advanced QR code solution, you can create a customized mobile-friendly page for different campaigns or promotions. And the best part? You can add rich media like videos and images, too.
Image gallery QR code
Image gallery QR code is a solution that makes it easy to share many images by just sending out a single QR code.
Multi URL QR code
A multi URL QR code is a dynamic QR code that can store multiple links or URLs in a single QR code, redirecting people based on specific parameters, like time, location, number of scans, language, and geofencing.
App Store QR code
An app store QR code is a dynamic solution that connects the user straight to the device’s default app store to maximize the number of app downloads.
Why choose dynamic QR codes? Advanced features of dynamic QR code you need
One good thing about dynamic QR codes is that they are more user-friendly than static QR codes. As mentioned above, users can track their scanning activity and edit the URL or the content that has been embedded in it.
In that case, users can save time, money, and effort as they no longer need to print another QR code when they edit its content.
Stated below are the best and most advanced features of a dynamic QR code:
Content is editable
Users who generate dynamic QR codes can easily edit a QR code directly from their dashboard. They can change the information stored in a QR, which means they can offer fresh content any time they want. When the user wants to share different content, he no longer has to generate and print a new QR code.
Users can track data
Aside from being able to edit its content, you can also track its scanning activity.
If you are a user and want to track your QR code’s scanning activity, you have to generate it in dynamic form. Unlike static QR codes, there are a lot of things you can do with dynamic QR codes.
Aside from being able to edit its content, you can also track its scanning activity.
QR code tracking analytics allow you to understand how your target audience behaves towards your QR code campaign and if you are getting QR code scans.
Retarget tool feature
With QR TIGER's Google Tag Manager retargeting feature, you can track people who have scanned your QR codes and show them ads again.
So, the QR TIGER Google Tag Manager retarget tool is one of your GTM containers, letting you track and retarget your customers’ behavior.
After your customers scan the QR codes, QR TIGER’s retargeting feature will track them and repeatedly show them relevant content.
You will be able to use the information to make ads and campaigns that are more targeted.
Email scan notification
When a dynamic QR code is generated, the owner will receive a notification when someone scans his QR code.
In addition, the notification will be sent automatically to the QR code owner’s email address.
QR code expiry feature
When a user creates a dynamic QR code, the expiration date can be set.
Password-protected QR codes
When a scanner enters the correct password into the scanner’s input area, the content or information included in the QR code can be accessed and displayed.
Access to QR TIGER’s dashboard
Once you generate a dynamic QR code, you can access QR TIGER dashboard, where you can see the top 10 QR code campaigns, the updated watchlist, and access to resources.
Organize QR codes in a folder
With the folder section, users can organize their QR codes into folders. They can add a folder and differentiate their QR codes from there.
Additionally, even if a user deletes a folder, the QR code will remain in it.
Reset QR code scans
Nowadays, practically all business sectors use QR codes.
If your QR code has fewer than 20 scans and you want to know how many people scanned it for a specific campaign, excluding test scans, you can quickly reset it.
Create your customized QR codes now with QR TIGER QR code software
QR TIGER is an advanced code generator that gives you several options and allows you to design your QR codes, including the layout and design you like best.
Furthermore, it is also an ISO-certified generator that assures you to protect your personal information and the information you place in your QR code, even if it’s static.
Use QR TIGER now to create a free QR code with a logo, and try it yourself.
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