Dynamic QR Code: what it is (in plain English)

A dynamic QR code is a QR code that doesn’t encode your final URL directly. Instead, it encodes a short URL (a redirect link). When someone scans the code:

The phone opens the short link.
The short link redirects to your real destination (landing page, menu, form, app store, etc.).

Because the QR code only contains the short link, you can:

edit / change the destination URL later (without reprinting)
enable QR code tracking (scan analytics)
run campaigns with better measurement (UTMs, device + location insights)

Dynamic vs static QR codes

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The difference is simple:

Static QR code: the destination is baked in. If the URL changes, you must print a new QR code.
Dynamic QR code: the QR points to a redirect link you control. You can update where it goes.

If you’re printing anything (stickers, packaging, posters), dynamic is usually the safer default.

How a dynamic QR code works (redirects)

Most top-ranking explanations boil down to the same mechanism:

A dynamic QR code stores a short URL.
That short URL performs a server-side redirect to your destination.

This is why people call them:

editable QR codes
trackable QR codes
sometimes “reusable QR codes”

They’re all describing the same core idea: the QR image stays the same, the destination can change.

What you can do with a dynamic QR code

1) Change the destination URL without reprinting

This is the killer feature.

Examples:

a restaurant updates a menu URL
a product campaign ends and you redirect to a new offer
you fix a typo / broken link after printing

2) Track QR code scans (analytics)

Dynamic QR codes can track scans because the redirect endpoint can log metadata such as:

scan count
timestamp
device type / OS
approximate location (depending on implementation)

3) Add UTMs for attribution

If you want Google Analytics attribution, use UTMs on the destination URL:

utm_source=qr
utm_medium=print
utm_campaign=...

UTMs let you compare different posters, venues, packaging runs, etc.

When you should use a dynamic QR code

Use dynamic when:

the QR code will be printed (hard to reprint)
you want tracking / analytics
you may need to edit the destination later
you want to A/B test landing pages

Static can be fine when:

the destination will never change
tracking doesn’t matter
you want a “works offline” QR for plain text (rare for marketing)

Best practices (what actually improves scan + conversion)

Keep redirects clean (avoid chains)
Use a fast landing page (QR traffic is impatient)
Put a clear call-to-action next to the QR
Test scans on iOS + Android before printing

FAQ

Can you track a static QR code?

Not reliably. Static codes don’t have a controlled redirect hop, so you can’t count scans at the QR layer.

Do dynamic QR codes expire?

They can if the service is shut off or if the redirect link stops working. Choose a provider you control.

Quick checklist

Test on iOS + Android. Use high contrast (dark code on light background). Keep a clear quiet zone.

Avoid long redirect chains. Add UTMs if you care about attribution.

Try QRShuffle

If you're printing QR codes for posters, packaging, menus, or events, use editable links so you don't have to reprint.

Create your first QR: https://qrshuffle.com/signup
See pricing: https://qrshuffle.com/pricing

Dynamic QR Code: What It Is, How It Works, and Why Businesses Use It