Effectively engaging BOTH potential and existing customers is crucial to driving before- and after-purchase sales. As per a recent survey by Gallup, fully engaged customers represent a 23% higher share in terms of revenue, profitability, and relationship growth.

With over 2 billion active users, YouTube is the most popular choice for watching online videos. And with QR Code usage expected to double in 2022, it makes perfect sense for marketers to deliver YouTube content via QR Codes to better engage their audience and boost their YouTube marketing campaigns.

This is where a YouTube QR Code can help. 

But what is a YouTube QR Code and how to create and effectively use one? Let’s learn all about it.

Here’s what we’ll cover:

1. What is a YouTube QR Code?
2. Where can you use a YouTube QR Code?
3. How to make a QR Code for a YouTube video
4. Should you choose a static or dynamic QR Code for your YouTube video?
5. Best practices to follow while creating and using YouTube QR Codes
6. How to automate your YouTube QR Code campaigns
7. Final thoughts
8. FAQs

What is a YouTube QR Code?

A YouTube QR Code is a type of QR Code that automatically redirects a user to a YouTube video upon scanning. This QR Code type streamlines the process of leading customers to the desired YouTube video as users just need to scan the code to watch the video and not manually search for it on YouTube.

Where can you use a YouTube QR Code?

QR Codes for YouTube videos have various use cases across different industries. Let’s learn about some of them.

1. Real estate signs
2. Product packaging
3. Tourist attractions
4. Healthcare industry
5. Business cards

#1 On real estate signs to offer convenient virtual home tours

As per this report, 73% of home buyers said they are more likely to list with a real estate agent who uses video to sell properties.

Realtors can use YouTube QR Codes on real estate signs that lead to a video/virtual home tour. This lets potential home buyers view the property at their convenience when:

1. Real estate agents are not present to show them around, or
2. There’s overcrowding at the property at that moment.

Moreover, realtors can link a YouTube video to a QR Code that talks about their company to build trust among prospective buyers.

RELATED: Learn how top real estate agents are killing it with QR Codes.

#2 On product packaging to increase consumer engagement 

CPG companies can use QR Codes on product packaging to redirect consumers to tutorials, how-to guides, behind-the-scenes explainers, and sustainability practices videos on YouTube. This helps keep consumers engaged both before and after purchase, thus improving brand reputation and boosting revenue growth.

You might also like: How to engage consumers using a TikTok QR Code 429 on the packaging

#3 At tourist spots to engage travelers

Installing YouTube QR Codes at famous tourist spots and on tour buses, boats, monuments is a great way to engage travelers. These video QR Codes can lead to educational, historical, or entertaining content, which in turn can significantly enhance a tourist’s travel experience.

Additionally, tourism companies can use YouTube video QR Codes at their business establishment or on print marketing material to advertise their marketing campaigns. These videos can be focused on providing an immersive experience the company offers via its tours to help expedite potential customers’ decision process. 

Related: How to make a QR Code link to Youtube video

#4 In the healthcare industry to educate staff about medical procedures 

YouTube QR Codes on medical equipment can be a helpful way to educate staff about its usage and handling. Moreover, video QR Codes can be used at important places around the medical facility to inform people of important procedures and mandatory protocols to be followed.

#5 On business cards or in email signatures to promote a YouTube channel

Creators/Professionals can directly link their YouTube channel to a QR Code, and add that code to their business cards, email signatures, websites, or print material. This not only helps boost views for their YouTube channels but also keeps their audience engaged and connected.

Now that we’ve discussed some use cases of YouTube QR Codes, let’s learn how you can easily create one for your business with Beaconstac’s dynamic QR Code generator.

How to make a QR Code for a YouTube video

1. Log in to the Beaconstac dashboard.
2. Click on ‘Create QR Code’.
3. Choose the ‘Website’ QR Code type.
4. Enter the short URL for the YouTube video.
5. Customize and personalize the QR Code.
6. Test, save, and download your YouTube QR Code.

Step 1: Log in to Beaconstac’s dashboard.

Navigate to ‘QR Codes’ from the left panel.

Step 2: Click on ‘Create QR Code’.

Step 3: Choose ‘Website’ QR Code type under the ‘Dynamic QR Code’ section.

P.S. We recommend dynamic QR Codes over static ones for YouTube videos. More on this in the next section.

Step 4: Enter the short URL for the YouTube video to be redirected using the QR Code.

Bonus Tip: You can turn on ‘Multi-language support’ to deliver YouTube videos in different languages. Upon scanning, the QR Code will redirect users to the video based on their device’s language settings.

READ: Multilingual QR Codes can help you deliver content in your consumers’ preferred languages

Step 5: Next, customize and personalize your YouTube QR Code.

Experiment with different data patterns, eye-balls, frames, CTAs, and more.

Pro Tip: If you want to allow only a certain set of people to view your YouTube video, protect your QR Code with a password. Only those who have access to this password can watch the video by entering the password upon scanning the QR Code.

To configure a password for your YouTube QR Code, scroll down to the ‘Show advanced settings’ option.

Step 6: Test, save, and download the YouTube QR Code.

That’s it. This QR Code will now automatically redirect users to your YouTube video upon scanning.

Note: Confused on which format to download in? Here’s how to download a QR Code in a format that best fits your use case.

Should you choose a static or dynamic QR Code for your YouTube video?

Out of the two QR Code categories—static and dynamic—we highly recommend dynamic QR Codes for YouTube videos.

Why?

Because even though you can create a free QR Code for video, static QR Codes cannot be edited once created. Moreover, these codes cannot be tracked (no. of scans, scans by location, etc.) and used for online retargeting.

On the other hand, dynamic QR Codes offer the flexibility to edit and redirect an existing QR Code, even after it has been created and printed. This helps save reprinting costs and redistribution efforts. Furthermore, dynamic QR Codes offer in-depth QR scan tracking and the ability to retarget users online on Google and Facebook.

Static QR Codes are only recommended for people who are experimenting with their YouTube QR Code campaign and don’t require editing and tracking capabilities.

If you require better flexibility, QR Code analytics, retargeting, campaign automation and scheduling capabilities, then dynamic QR Codes are most suitable for your YouTube video QR campaigns. 

The overall package provided by dynamic QR Codes can be a bang for your buck as you get access to the above-mentioned benefits and capabilities for as low as $5 a month.

Wondering what to do next? Pick the best dynamic QR Code generator to create YouTube QR Codes.

Best practices to follow while creating and using QR Codes for YouTube videos

Design and personalize your YouTube QR Code

Make sure your YouTube video QR Code isn’t just restricted to the usual square shape and black & white color. A well-designed custom QR Code can make it more appealing and generate a higher number of scans.

Get creative with your QR Code design by trying out different templates, eye-balls, brand logos, data patterns, background images, and frames. Also, don’t forget to include an actionable CTA to guide users to the next step.

Get the size of your YouTube QR Code right 

Ideally sizing your YouTube video QR Code to generate the desired number of scans is paramount. No matter how well designed your QR Code or well written your supporting marketing copy is, if the QR Code is too small or too big, users simply can’t scan the code.

While there is no minimum or maximum size for a QR Code, it is recommended that the code should be at least 1 cm x 1 cm for close proximity use cases. And for other scenarios, you can follow the 10:1 distance to QR size ratio while sizing your YouTube QR Code.

For instance, if the typical scanning distance is 15-20 cm, then the code should be at least 1.5-2 cm x 1.5-2 cm in size.

Here’s your complete QR Code Sizing Guide.

Print and place your YouTube QR Code optimally

If you need to print the YouTube QR Code for your video marketing 404 campaigns, it is recommended to use vector formats such as SVG and EPS over the traditional image formats such as PNG and JPG.

This is because these vector formats allow you to scale and resize the same QR Code for different purposes—business cards, posters, flyers—without pixelating and lowering the quality of the QR Code image. 

Moreover, it’s crucial to place the QR Code on flat surfaces so it’s easy for smartphones to scan the code. Avoid rugged, folded, and extra shiny surfaces as they can lower your YouTube QR Code’s scannability.

MUST-READ: QR Code Printing Guidelines 

Share multiple YouTube videos via a single QR Code to boost conversions

If your marketing campaign requires sharing/promoting multiple YouTube videos, you can effortlessly do so with a customizable landing page that links to a QR Code. Beaconstac’s QR platform lets you create a mobile-first and custom landing page, which doesn’t require any coding, to include multiple links and corresponding text/CTAs on a single web page.

This landing page can then be linked to a QR Code to deliver multiple YouTube videos or channels using a single campaign page. Users can click on the link they wish to visit, which can ultimately boost conversions for your marketing campaign.

Automate YouTube QR Code campaigns with the Beaconstac-Zapier integration

Consider this scenario: You’ve shared a dynamic QR Code with your audience that redirects them to the latest YouTube video on your channel. Suppose, you want to add a new video to your YouTube channel this week. Should you be manually updating your YouTube QR Code destination to redirect users to the latest video? No.

Beaconstac-Zapier’s integration allows you to automate this process so users can always view the latest YouTube video without you having to manually update the destination URL.

Here’s how it works:

Step 1: Create an account with Zapier. (You can move to the next step if you already have one)

You can sign up for a Zapier account using your email address or Facebook/Microsoft account.

Step 2: Connect Beaconstac with Zapier.

Log in to Beaconstac’s dashboard and navigate to ‘Integrations’ -> ‘Zapier’ towards the bottom-left side.

Step 3: Click on ‘Add Beaconstac to Zapier’.

Here you’ll also find your API Key and Organization ID. Save these details as we will be using them soon.

You’ll be redirected to this web page where you need to click on ‘Accept Invite & Build a Zap’.

Step 4: Create a Zap and configure the trigger and corresponding actions.

A Zap is an easy-to-build and automated workflow that connects your apps and services. Each Zap consists of a trigger and one or more actions. When the Zap is turned on, it will run the corresponding action steps every time the trigger event occurs.

Step 5: Enter a relevant name for your Zap and choose ‘YouTube’ under ‘App Event’.

Step 6: Create a ‘Trigger Event’.

A trigger is basically an event that initiates the Zap. For example, if you want to update the destination URL for a dynamic QR Code whenever a new YouTube video is uploaded on your channel, then ‘New video upload on your YouTube channel’ is the trigger.

Enter the following details to finish setting up the trigger event:

1. Select ‘New Video in Channel’ as the trigger event.
2. Connect your YouTube account under the ‘Choose account’ field.
3. In the ‘Set up trigger’ field, enter your YouTube Channel ID. Suppose your channel URL is https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkr_QT-41Socd–jK37LNXA, then the channel ID is UCkr_QT-41Socd–jK37LNXA.
4. Make sure to test the trigger.

Step 7: Create an ‘Action Event’.

An action is an event performed by a Zap after it is triggered. For example, if you want to update the destination URL for a dynamic QR Code whenever a new YouTube video is uploaded on your channel, then ‘Update Dynamic QR Code’s destination URL’ is the action.

Enter the following details to finish setting up the action event:

1. Select ‘Beaconstac’ as the app event.
2. Choose ‘Update Dynamic QR Code’ as the action event.
3. Then, sign in and connect your Beaconstac ID. Here, you need to enter the API Key and Organization ID we saved in Step 3.
4. Next, under the ‘Set up action’ field, enter all required details—QR Code Name, QR Code ID, Design Template, Campaign Type (Website URL), and Website URL for the current YouTube video that links to the QR Code.
5. To find the QR Code Name and QR Code ID of your existing YouTube QR Code, here’s what you need to do:

   1. Log in to Beaconstac’s dashboard and navigate to the QR Codes list.
   2. Click on ‘Edit’ next to the YouTube QR Code you want to automate.
   3. Copy the QR Code name (YouTube QR Code) and QR Code ID (251531). Refer to the image below.

6. Next, click on ‘Continue’ and test the action event.

Step 8: Turn on your Zap and you’re done.

Don’t forget to turn your Zap on so every time a new video is uploaded on your YouTube channel, the dynamic QR Code is automatically updated.

We discussed one use case of how you can automate your YouTube QR Code campaign with the Beaconstac-Zapier integration. Learn more about other Beaconstac and YouTube integrations using Zapier here.

Final thoughts – Use QR Codes for YouTube videos to better engage your customers

Marketers and brands across industries are increasingly leveraging YouTube QR Codes to boost engagement rates. 

For instance, Red Notice—a recent film distributed by Netflix—showcased a QR Code during the movie that redirected users to the film’s funny bloopers video on YouTube. This was a unique use case of a YouTube QR Code which ended up engaging a lot of viewers.

Another creative use case was when Nestle and Google partnered to launch a YouTube QR Code on KitKat bars. These QR Codes redirected customers to 74 different YouTube videos they could watch while taking a break—in line with KitKat’s brand image.

In conclusion, YouTube QR Codes are a cost-effective way to instantly share videos, grow your YouTube audience, better engage customers, and drive desired conversions. Moreover, these codes save time for users as they can just scan them and be redirected to the YouTube video without having to manually search for it.

Looking to leverage YouTube QR Codes for your marketing campaigns? Get started with a 14-day free trial or meet with our experts to learn more. Also, check out the complete list of our QR Code generator pricing.

Frequently asked questions

1. Can a QR Code open a video?

Yes. A video QR Code can automatically redirect users to any video upon scanning.

2. How do I create a QR Code for my YouTube channel?

1. Go to Beaconstac’s online QR Code Generator.
2. Select the QR Code type – ‘URL’.
3. Enter the URL for your YouTube channel in the ‘Website (URL)’ field.
4. Customize and personalize your YouTube QR Code.
5. Test, download, and deploy the QR Code.

3. Can you turn a video into a QR Code?

Yes. Using a video QR Code, you can turn any video into a QR Code (provided you have the video URL) to automatically redirect users to that video upon scanning.

4. How do you make a QR Code for a YouTube video for free?

1. Head over to Beaconstac’s free QR Code generator.
2. Enter your YouTube video link under the ‘URL’ QR type.
3. Customize the QR Code. Add your brand logo, change QR template, color, eye-shapes, and more.
4. Scan and test the QR to see if it leads to the correct destination.
5. Download and use your YouTube QR Code.

We recommend signing up (it’s absolutely free!) so you can create AND manage unlimited free static QR Codes.

5. Can I make a QR Code for a video in Google Drive?

Yes! You can easily link your Google Drive video to a QR Code and take users directly to your video content. Moreover, you can automatically create a QR Code as soon a new video file is uploaded to your Google Drive through the Beaconstac-Zapier integration.

• Author Details

Author Details

Piyush Garg

Piyush is a Senior Content Marketer with Beaconstac. He loves indulging in conversations that can intellectually and spiritually develop his mind. Connect with him on Twitter or LinkedIn and check out his blog.

[email protected]