Stop Putting QR Codes on Social Media Flyers (Here's What Works Instead)

Stop. Putting. QR codes. On. Social. Media. Flyers.

I said what I said and almost 200 of you had opinions about it.

Some of you agreed immediately. One person said, "Whenever I see a post with a QR code, I'm like now how am I supposed to scan that. People don't think."

Others pushed back. "You can screenshot it and hold down on the photo and it will populate the link."

And here's the thing, both sides are right.

Yes, you CAN scan a QR code from a saved photo on your iPhone. But that's not the point. The point is: should your marketing strategy depend on people knowing that trick?

This Isn't About Capability. It's About Behavior.

One commenter perfectly proved my point without realizing it. She wrote: "I actually just learned something from this post from the comment replies. I didn't know that if you click the QR code from saved..."

Read that again.

This is a business owner, actively engaged in a marketing conversation, and she didn't know how to use the feature you're counting on to make your flyer work.

If your ideal client has to learn a new phone trick to take action on your content, you've already lost them.

The Real Problem: One Flyer for Everything

One of the smartest comments came from someone who said: "The problem is folks create one flyer and use it for everything. SMH."

That's the real issue.

A QR code makes perfect sense on a printed flyer at a vendor table, on your business card, on a conference handout, or on signage at an event. In those situations, people have their phones out and something to physically scan.

But that same flyer on Instagram? Facebook? You're asking someone who's already on their phone to... use their phone to scan their phone.

Different platforms need different tools.

Intent Mode vs. Scroll Mode

Here's how I explained it in the comments: "The difference I'm pointing to is really about intent and attention, not capability."

When someone registers for a conference or joins a virtual training, they're in intent mode. They've already invested. They expect to take extra steps. Scanning a QR code is no big deal.

But on social media? People are in scroll mode. They're skimming. They're multitasking. They're competing with a hundred other posts, notifications, and distractions.

You have about two seconds to grab attention. If your call-to-action requires someone to stop, screenshot, open their photos, press and hold, wait for the link to populate, and then click through... you've added five steps where you only needed one.

And every extra step is a chance for them to keep scrolling.

What to Use Instead

For social media posts where you want people to take action, use:

• Clickable links in your bio or caption (yes, even in the first comment if you're worried about reach)
• DM keyword triggers ("Comment INFO and I'll send you the details")
• Story link stickers (one tap, instant access)
• Comment-to-receive automations (using tools like ManyChat)
• Pinned posts with clear CTAs (so people can always find your link)

The goal is always the same: reduce the steps between "that looks interesting" and "I'm in."

When QR Codes DO Work

I'm not anti-QR code. I use them all the time, in the right context.

QR codes are perfect for:

• Conference presentations and slide decks
• Printed materials (business cards, brochures, signage)
• Event check-ins and registration tables
• Restaurant menus and product packaging
• Virtual trainings where attendees are on laptops (and can scan with their phones)

One commenter mentioned she puts QR codes on the swag she wears so people can go right to her page. That's smart. Someone sees her shirt at a networking event, pulls out their phone, scans, done.

The rule of thumb: if there's a physical thing to scan and a separate device to scan it with, QR codes work great.

The Bottom Line

This isn't about being right or wrong. It's about understanding how people actually use social media and designing your marketing to meet them where they are.

QR codes are tools. Social media is an environment. When those don't align, your conversions suffer.

So before you drop that flyer with a QR code front and center, ask yourself: Is this making it easier for someone to take action, or am I just making myself feel tech-savvy?

Good marketing removes friction. Great marketing makes the next step obvious.

Use the right tool for the right moment. That's how conversions happen.