How To Create YouTube QR Codes and Increase Views and Subscribers

With 1.3 trillion visits in 2023 alone, growing your user base on YouTube can be challenging and time-consuming.

Every YouTuber tells you to “like, share, and subscribe” and optimizes for different factors to get more views and subscribers, such as YouTube SEO, social media sharing, and website embedding. However, many overlook the simple way to get people from offline touchpoints to your video. 

And that’s possible with YouTube QR Codes. 

Using QR Codes for your YouTube is a cost-effective way to instantly share videos, grow your YouTube audience, engage customers, and drive desired results. The best part is that QR Codes save time for viewers as a single scan can take them to your YouTube videos or channel without manually searching or typing a link.

Let’s see how to create and use one in your video marketing campaigns and beyond. 

Table of contents

1. What is a YouTube QR Code?
2. How to make a QR Code for a YouTube video
3. Can I create a QR Code for a YouTube playlist?
4. Should I use a static or dynamic QR Code for YouTube?
5. How to edit a dynamic QR Code for YouTube
6. 6 Real-life use cases of QR Codes for YouTube
7. How can I automate YouTube QR Code campaigns?
8. Frequently asked questions

What is a YouTube QR Code?

A YouTube QR Code is a type of QR Code that automatically redirects a user to a YouTube channel upon scanning. This helps you streamline the process of leading customers to the desired YouTube video, short, or channel without needing to search it on YouTube manually. 

YouTube has an in-built QR Code to share channels for one-off use cases. But if you are serious about using YouTube for marketing or sharing your content with a bigger audience, you will need a QR Code to customize with your logo, track scans, and analyze data—all missing from the built-in option.

How to make a QR Code for a YouTube video

The easiest way to create a YouTube QR Code is by using a QR Code generator. You can sign up on Uniqode to follow the same steps—no credit cards are required.  

Step 1: Choose your QR Code type on the Uniqode dashboard

Log in to your dashboard and click the “+Create” button. Once done, select “Website” as the QR Code type.

Step 2: Click the “+ Create QR Code” button

Step 3: Choose “Website” from among the available QR Code types

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

Step 4: Enter the YouTube URL you want users to access

Click “Next” to go to the “Customize” tab.

Step 5: Customize your YouTube QR Code 

With Uniqode, you can personalize your YouTube QR Code’s design to match your branding. Experiment with different patterns, frames, eyes, and more. 

Scroll down below to enable/disable advanced settings, including:

1. Short URL: Customize the URL users see when they scan your QR Code. You can even add your brand or website name to the URL.
2. Advanced location settings: Know parameters such as the country and city of audience engagement 
3. Password protection: Enable password-based access for exclusive or subscriber-only YouTube videos 
4. Campaign schedule: Set a start and end date for your QR Code campaign

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

Choose a suitable name, then scan-test your QR Code (displayed on the right).

Finally, download the QR Code in your desired image format.

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

Can I create a QR Code for a YouTube playlist?

Yes. Creating a QR Code for a YouTube playlist follows the same easy process as creating a QR Code for a YouTube video or channel. The only difference is the type of content you’re linking to, which, in this case, is a playlist. 

You can create a QR Code for a YouTube playlist in 6 steps:

1. Log in to Uniqode’s dashboard
2. Click the “+ Create QR Code” button
3. Choose “Website” from among the options
4. Enter your YouTube playlist’s URL in the provided field
5. Customize your YouTube QR Code to match your branding
6. Test, save, and download your QR Code

Should I use a static or dynamic QR Code for YouTube?

We recommend using dynamic QR Codes when delivering YouTube content to your audience. Unlike static QR Codes, dynamic QR Codes are editable. You can change the content they lead to as and when needed.

This flexibility is helpful in many scenarios, including:

1. If you want to make real-time updates to your QR Code’s link without creating a new code. Once you link a URL to a static QR Code, they’re there indefinitely. You’ll have to create another QR Code to serve different content to your audience. 

2. If you don’t want to spend money reprinting your physical collaterals. Let’s say you’ve placed static QR Codes in your collaterals but now need to change their link. You’ll have to reprint your entire batch of materials to reflect the changes.

3. If you want to know if your audience engages with your YouTube content from your chosen channels. Unlike static QR Codes, you can track your dynamic QR Code’s engagement performance, whether you deploy them online or offline.

How to edit a dynamic QR Code for YouTube

You can update a dynamic QR Code for YouTube in three easy steps:

Step 1: Log in to Uniqode’s dashboard and click “QR Codes”

Step 2: Choose the YouTube QR Code you want to update

You’ll go to a list of all the QR Codes you’ve created. Click the “Edit” button of the YouTube QR Code you want to update.

Step 3: Enter the new URL for your YouTube QR Code

Enter your YouTube content’s URL in the field provided.

Click the “Next” button until you reach the “Done” tab, then click “Finish.” 

6 real-life use cases of QR Codes for YouTube

QR Codes for YouTube have various uses across diverse industries. Let’s learn some of them.

1. Virtual home tours on real estate signs
2. On product packaging to boost customer engagement
3. Enhancing traveler experiences at tourist spots
4. Sharing educational content at healthcare facilities
5. Promoting your YouTube channel via email signature
6. Amplifying traffic to your shoppable YouTube videos

1. Offering virtual home tours on real estate signs

Realtors can display YouTube QR Codes on their real estate signs to direct interested buyers to virtual tours of the showcased property. 

This empowers potential home buyers to view the property at their convenience when:

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

Moreover, realtors can link a YouTube video to a QR Code that introduces their company, fostering trust among prospective buyers. With 73% of homeowners favoring realtors who use video to sell properties, this tactic can prove worthwhile.

2. Boosting consumer engagement through product packaging

CPG companies can use QR Codes on product packaging to guide consumers to YouTube videos featuring tutorials, how-to’s, behind-the-scenes explainers, and sustainability practices. This strategy keeps consumers engaged before and after purchasing, boosting your brand reputation and revenue growth.

3. Enhancing traveler experiences at tourist spots

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

A tourism company can also use YouTube video QR Codes at its business establishment or marketing materials to promote its services. These QR Codes can lead to videos showcasing the captivating experiences travelers can enjoy through the company’s tours. You can use this tactic to expedite your potential customer’s decision.

4. Sharing educational content in a healthcare facility

Integrating QR Codes for YouTube on medical equipment can be a helpful way to educate staff about that equipment’s usage and handling. Moreover, you can also place video QR Codes at important places around the medical facility, informing people of essential procedures and mandatory protocols.

5. Promoting a YouTube channel via email signature

Creators/Professionals can link their YouTube channel to a QR Code and add it to their email signatures. With this simple strategy, your email becomes a gateway to your YouTube content.  You get to boost views for your YouTube channel while keeping your audience engaged and connected.

6. Amplifying traffic to your shoppable YouTube videos

YouTube can be fiercely competitive for brands and influencers; you’ll have to secure serious content visibility to get ahead.

One way to gain traction is to use QR Codes for YouTube videos. QR Codes encourage spontaneous engagement from the physical world, increasing your likelihood of viewership. It’s only a matter of getting viewers to purchase from your shoppable videos through enticing storytelling and discounts.

You can also collaborate with influencers to add a QR Code to their YouTube videos and promote your product, boost app downloads, and so on. You not only get access to their audience but also boost your product search or app downloads due to the ease of access.

4 Best practices to follow while sharing a YouTube QR Code

1. Design and customize

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.

2. Resize and share

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.

3. Print and place your 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 

4. Share YouTube shorts and videos with QR Codes

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. Uniqode’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.

How can I automate YouTube QR Code campaigns?

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 manually update your YouTube QR Code destination to redirect users to the latest video? No.

Because there’s a simpler way to go about it.

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

Here’s how it works:

Step 1: Create a Zapier account (or move to the next step if you already have one)

Step 2: Log in to Uniqode and go to “Integrations”

Log in to Uniqode’s dashboard and navigate to “Integrations” in the left panel.

Choose “Zapier.”

Step 3: Connect Uniqode with Zapier

Copy your “API Key” and “Organization ID,” as we will use them later. Then, click the “Connect” button.

You’ll go to this web page where you must click “Accept Invite & Build a Zap”.

Step 4: Create a Zap and choose the “Trigger” and “Action” events

A Zap is an easy-to-build automated workflow between two or more applications. 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.

Enter a name for your Zap and choose “YouTube” as the “Trigger.” 

Step 5: Create a ‘Trigger Event’

A trigger is an event that initiates the Zap. For example, if you want to update a dynamic QR Code’s destination URL whenever you upload a new YouTube video on your channel, then “New Video in Channel” is the trigger.

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

1. Connect your YouTube account under the “Account” tab.
2. Enter your YouTube Channel ID in the “Trigger” tab (on the right-side panel). 
3. Make sure to test the trigger.

Step 6: 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 “Uniqode” as the app event
2. Choose “Update Dynamic QR Code” as the action event
3. Sign in and connect your Uniqode ID
4. Enter the API Key and Organization ID we saved in Step 3
5. Under the “Action” field, enter all required details:

   • QR Code Name
   • QR Code ID
   • Design Template 
   • Campaign Type (Website URL)
   • Website URL for the current YouTube video that links to the QR Code

6. Follow these steps to get your QR Code’s “QR Code Name” and “QR Code ID”:

   • Log in to Uniqode’s dashboard and navigate to the QR Codes list
   • Click on “Edit” next to the YouTube QR Code you want to automate
   • Copy the name you’ve assigned to your YouTube QR Code
   • Copy the QR Code ID (the unique number on its URL trail) 

Click “Continue” and test the action event.

Step 7: Publish your Zap, and you’re done

Click “Publish” to take your Zap live. Your dynamic YouTube QR Code will now update every time you upload a new video on your channel.

We discussed one use case for automating your YouTube QR Code campaign with the Uniqode-Zapier integration. Learn more about other Uniqode and YouTube integrations using Zapier here.

Use Uniqode to create dynamic Youtube QR Codes and boost engagement

Easily create Youtube QR Codes on Uniqode, customize it as you like, and watch your channels’ engagement skyrocket.

Track and integrate your QR Codes with marketing tools such as Zapier and Google Analytics to automate and track engagement timings, number of scans, etc.

Uniqode complies with GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) and SOC® 2 Type 2 (System and Organization Controls). It means all customer interactions and data shared is safe and secure.

Wondering how to create Youtube QR Codes that are editable and trackable? Try creating one below 👇

Frequently asked questions

1. Why should I use a dynamic QR Code for YouTube?

You can update a dynamic QR Code as and when you need. Say you want to change the destination of your YouTube QR Code. Instead of recreating your code, you can easily update it on the backend, and your changes will reflect on your live QR Code in real-time. 

This capability can save you thousands of dollars in reprinting costs. You no longer have to replace your physical collaterals whenever you change their QR Code’s destinations.

2. How can I create a QR Code for my Youtube channel?

Simply follow these steps to create a QR Code for your YouTube channel:

1. Log in to Uniqode’s dashboard
2. Click the “+ Create QR Code” button
3. Choose “Website” from among the options
4. Enter your YouTube channel’s URL or handle in the provided field
5. Customize and personalize your YouTube QR Code
6. Test, save, and download your QR Code

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

Yes, you can easily create a QR Code that links to online video content, such as a YouTube videos and shorts. Upon scanning this “video QR Code,” your audience gets directed to the video content you want them to see. This tactic can significantly enhance brand exposure and engagement by providing convenient access to multimedia content with just a simple scan.

• Author Details

Author Details

Piyush Garg

Piyush is a Senior Content Marketer with Uniqode. 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.

piyush.g@mobstac.com