As a marketer, content creator, or influencer, it can be tiring to keep asking viewers to subscribe to your YouTube channel.
We feel you! Did you know there’s a cooler and smarter way to snag those subscribers?
Yep, we’re talking QR Codes. You can do more with those pixelated squares than just order fries.
QR Codes are a fast, free, and low-effort hack to grow your YouTube audience. Viewers simply need to scan your QR Code to land on your YouTube channel and hit the (magical) Subscribe button.
In this post, we’ll walk you through the steps to create a YouTube QR Code using a super quick tool. Plus, some bonus tips to help you get started right away.
Table of contents
- How to create a QR Code for your YouTube channel
- How to use QR Codes for YouTube promotion
- Why use a QR Code for YouTube
- BONUS: YouTube QR Code tips and best practices
- Frequently asked questions
The 4-step guide to creating a QR Code for YouTube
The easiest way to create a YouTube QR Code is by using a QR Code generator. Follow the steps below (in details below):
- Log in (if you want dynamic QR Codes)
- Enter your YouTube channel URL
- Customize your YouTube QR Code
- Deploy and analyze the data
| 📝Note: You can create a free static QR Code for YouTube directly by pasting your channel link in the QR Code generator. But you can’t edit or update static QR Codes; you’ll need to create fresh ones from scratch. Sign up to create dynamic QR Codes—ones you can update anytime without creating a new one. |
Here’s a breakdown to help you decide between static and dynamic QR Codes:
| Feature | Static QR Code | Dynamic QR Code |
| Content | Fixed. Links to one YouTube channel URL at a time | Changeable. Update the linked URL to a new channel, playlist, or video |
| Editing | Not possible. The link is set once created | Possible. Edit the linked URL anytime, even after printing the QR Code |
| Cost | Two free static QR Codes | Two free dynamic QR Codes. Avail more with a monthly subscription |
| Tracking | No. You can’t track how many times the QR Code is scanned | Yes. Track scans, see where viewers come from, and get basic analytics |
| Best for | One-time usage. Simple linking to your main YouTube channel or video | Multiple use-cases. Change the linked content and track analytics |
Step 1: Log in to The QR Code Generator
Log in to your dashboard and choose URL as your preferred QR Code type.
Step 2: Enter your YouTube channel URL
Copy the URL to a specific YouTube video or your channel homepage. On The QR Code Generator, paste it into the empty field below ‘Enter URL’.
(For a better explanation, we’ve used the popular YouTube channel Kurzgesagt as an example. You can apply these steps to any YouTube channel you manage).
⚡Pro tip: If you want to share more than one video per scan, say from a playlist, click “Multi-URL” from the list at the top. Add the video titles and URLs on the following page. People who scan it will see the links to your videos as titles. This option is only available for dynamic QR Codes.  |
Step 3: Customize or design your QR Code
Once you’ve entered the URL to your YouTube channel or video(s), the next step is to customize the QR Code.
The QR Code Generator comes with 12 predetermined templates you can choose from, including one designed for YouTube.
| 📝Note: Shortened URL and logo are only available for dynamic codes. |
If you want to customize the QR Code, click the color palette icon 🎨 in the bottom right to expand the customization panel. Here, you can change the QR Code style (classic, rounded, thin, smooth, or circles), experiment with the colors (background, squares, and pixels), and add a logo.
At this stage, you can also test your QR Code to see whether it’s perfectly scannable and leads to the right destination. Scan the QR Code in the preview to do a scannability test.
Once you’ve customized your QR Code, click “Save”.
That’s it! Your YouTube QR Code is ready to download and use.
A download setting you can save: PNG at 1000 px. (With a paid plan, you can unlock the SVG image format and set a custom size).
Step 4: Analyze data and improvise
If you’ve chosen a dynamic QR Code, you can find out how people interact with your YouTube QR Code. The QR Code Generator will record every scan using the “Analytics” option (available on the left panel in your dashboard).
On the analytics page, use the default time range or set a custom one to check the total and unique number of scans and users. You can choose to visualize this data in a bar or line graph.
Visualize usage by device type, scans by country, and scans by city, streamlining your promotional campaigns.
Let’s say you find more users in a particular city. In that case, you can share your content with the right audience for a targeted approach and higher engagement.
| 📝Note: The free plan provides information on current and previous scans and users. Upgrade to a paid plan to view more detailed scan data—by device type, city, and country—for up to one year. |
How to use a YouTube QR Code to promote your channel
Now that you’ve created a QR Code, let’s get those scans rolling and build your subscriber base. Here are some creative ways to use your YouTube QR Code:
1. Use QR Codes on your merch
Embed your QR Code directly onto t-shirts, mugs, or tote bags. Fans can scan and subscribe while sporting your brand.
2. Launch teaser scavenger hunts for videos
Organize a scavenger hunt with QR Codes hidden around your town. Each QR Code could unlock clues or give a peek at your upcoming YouTube video, leading participants to your channel.
3. Use YouTube QR Codes on flyers and posters
Print your QR Code on flyers for upcoming events or posters promoting your channel at local businesses.
For example, if you’re a food blogger, partner with local restaurants to place your QR Code on their walls or takeaway bags. This will direct guests to your cooking tutorials and recipe videos. Talk about product-market fit!
4. Embed your YouTube channel in digital business cards
Who said YouTubers don’t have a business card? For example, if you’re a real estate agent, including your YouTube QR Code on your digital business card will help your clients view property tours and market updates on your YouTube channel without searching manually.
Why use QR Codes to promote your YouTube channel
Here’s how QR Codes can become your secret tool to boost subscribers and build a thriving YouTube community:
BONUS: Tips and best practices for YouTube QR Codes
We’ve gathered some best practices that our existing users follow for their YouTube QR Codes:
- Level up with dynamic QR Codes: If you haven’t already, try dynamic QR Codes to unlock additional customization features, such as logo and tracking data, so you can measure the success of your QR Code campaigns. The mere amount you pay is often less than the ROI you can derive.
- Add a clear call to action: Ensure your users are shown a relevant CTA, such as Subscribe to my channel.
- Brand it up: Personalize your QR Code by customizing it according to your brand colors and adding your logo.
- Give value at every step: Use QR Codes that aid in the customer journey, such as linking to helpful information, a free item or service, custom content, or an enhanced customer experience.
- Test before promoting: Scan your QR Code to double-check if it works before you add it to any print, collateral, or digital content.
- Keep it clear: Ensure your QR Code is clear and crisp, especially for print materials. A blurry code might be unreadable by mobile devices. Put your QR Code in a prominent location with good lighting so viewers can find and scan it.
Get the subscribers rolling with YouTube QR Codes
There you go! It’s not difficult to set up a QR Code campaign for your YouTube channel, is it?
While a free QR Code generator offers basic functionality, you can consider upgrading to unleash your campaigns’ true potential.
Paid plans unlock potent features such as:
- Unlimited and ad-free scans
- Deeper scan data
- Additional dynamic QR Codes
- Extra customization features
Take your YouTube channel promotion to new heights with a QR Code today!
Frequently asked questions
1. What is a YouTube QR Code?
A YouTube QR Code links to a YouTube video or hompeage URL. When someone scans the QR Code code, they are redirected to the linked YouTube URL. You can place a YouTube QR Code code on marketing materials, posters, business cards, or any other medium to provide quick access to your video content, making it easier for viewers to watch your videos without typing in the URL.
2. How do I create a QR Code for my YouTube channel?
Unlike TikTok and Instagram, YouTube doesn’t offer a built-in QR Code to share content. However, you can easily create a QR Code using a free QR Code generator online. Search for ‘free QR Code generator’ and follow the instructions. Enter your YouTube channel URL when creating the code. You can create, edit, track, and manage YouTube QR Codes with The QR Code Generator.
3. How can viewers scan my YouTube QR Code?
Most mobile devices have built-in QR Code scanners. Viewers can simply open their camera app and point it at the code, and a notification will appear. Clicking it will take them to your YouTube channel.
4. Can I update the content linked to my QR Code without changing it?
Yes, by using a dynamic QR Code, you can keep the same QR Code even if you need to update its content. This way, there’s no need to reprint or redistribute the code. Additionally, you can track your QR Code scans and access detailed analytics, such as time-wise, location-wise, and device-wise data, to monitor how your content is performing.
5. Are there free QR Code generators?
Yes, there are many free QR Code generators available online. However, some features, like adding a logo or tracking scans, might be offered only in paid plans.
