Can you geolocate QR code scans?
A dynamic QR code can sometimes estimate the country, region or city of a scan from network information. It does not automatically provide the phone's precise GPS location.
Explanation
When a dynamic QR code is scanned, the phone contacts the redirect server. Some services use network information to estimate a location.
This can be useful for comparing markets or broad geographic areas, but it has a margin of error. VPNs, mobile networks and internet-provider architecture can make the apparent location differ from the person's actual location.
Precise GPS location is different: it normally requires explicit permission from the phone or browser and is not an automatic consequence of scanning a QR code.
For marketing analytics, it is safer to describe this as approximate geographic information rather than exact location.
Concrete example
A national campaign may show that most scans appear to come from the UK and that a large share is associated with the London area. That does not locate each person on a specific street.
Common mistake
Do not confuse network geolocation with GPS. An estimated city is not proof of a person's exact physical position.
This content follows Outilo's editorial guidelines.
