Limitations of QR Codes

Though the marketing world is steadily embracing QR Codes the actual amount of people adopting (scanning) QR codes in Ireland is undetermined.

The requirement that a QR Code be accessed via smartphones instantly eliminates 63% of today’s mobile market (Nielsen, 2011).

Forrester's research points to four obstacles to broader adoption:
• Many consumers do not know what QR codes are or how to use them;
• QR codes require users to download an application to their phones;
• There are no standards for codes and readers; and
• Content is often disappointing. Most codes only took consumers to company websites.

Lack of uniformity among QR Code scanning applications means that there is no one known QR Reader, there are in fact a plethora of readers which creates ambiguity among users. All QR Code readers are not created equal and it may be necessary to have at least two readers on your mobile device or the necessity to trial a few. This is because some readers need a good quality QR Code image for the scan to be effective, while other readers have a better ability to scan an image.

There is a fear that QR Codes may become another vector for on-line crime to weed its way into people’s devices by linking to malicious websites, and providing new way of luring people into phishing scams. These concerns are legitimate but much alike other communication portals –there is always going to be scams e.g. junk mail, phishing sites, premium text messages. The user should only trust QR Codes that come from a reputable site, brand, source, company and person.

Finally, the impact of new technology such as NFC  is seen to be the biggest limitation or competitor for QR Codes. However, this technology is expensive to implement unlike the free ability to make QR Codes. Additionally, it requires the users phone to have a special component (chip) inside.