Creating a QR code is step one. Understanding its performance data is what separates good campaigns from great ones. This guide walks through every metric in the QR Stats analytics dashboard and explains what to do with the information.

Total Scans

The total number of times your QR code was scanned. This includes all scans, including multiple scans from the same device. Your primary volume metric. Compare over time to spot trends — is your QR code gaining or losing traction?

Unique Scans

The number of distinct IP addresses that scanned your QR code (refreshed every 24 hours). This approximates your actual audience size rather than raw activity volume. A high total scan count with low unique scans suggests a small audience scanning repeatedly — common with your own testing. A high unique scan count indicates broad reach.

Scans Over Time Chart

A day-by-day bar chart showing scan volume over your selected date range. Look for:

  • Spike days: What happened that day? A publication? An event? A social media post? Document the cause for future campaign planning.
  • Day-of-week patterns: Weekday vs weekend differences tell you when your audience is most active.
  • Decline trends: If scans are falling steadily, your placement may have lost visibility or your offer may have expired.

Top Countries

Geographic distribution of scans by country. Useful for understanding audience reach and identifying unexpected markets. If you are running a local campaign and seeing international scans, investigate why — it may indicate online sharing of your QR code image.

Location Map

An interactive world map showing scan locations at city level. Useful for campaigns with geographically specific goals — confirming that your local event QR codes are being scanned locally, or that your international campaign is reaching target markets.

Device Breakdown

iOS vs Android vs Desktop split. Important for landing page optimisation — if 90% of your scans come from iOS, make sure your landing page is tested and optimised on Safari. If you see a significant Desktop percentage, your QR code image is being shared digitally (screenshot or social media) rather than scanned from print.

Recent Scans List

A timestamped log of recent individual scan events showing IP, device, browser, OS, and location for each scan. Useful for debugging anomalies and verifying that tracking is working correctly after setup.

Using Analytics to Improve Campaigns

Data without action is just numbers. Here is how to turn QR Stats data into campaign improvements:

  • Low scan count despite good placement? The QR code or CTA may not be visible enough. Increase size or add a stronger prompt.
  • Good scan count but poor conversion? The landing page is the problem, not the QR code. Optimise the page.
  • Unexpected international scans? Your QR code image is being shared online — consider creating a dedicated version for that audience.
  • Most scans on specific days/times? Schedule future campaign activations to align with these peak periods.