Can You Create a QR Code for a Video?
Sally Wright
Jun 16, 2023
Getting someone to watch a YouTube video isn't always as simple as sharing it. If you're promoting your content on a poster, business card, product package, or other printed material, there's no convenient way for people to type a long video URL.
That's where a YouTube QR code can help. A quick scan can send viewers directly to your video or channel, giving them an easier way to find your content. You can create one in minutes and customize it to fit your brand or campaign.
What Is a YouTube QR Code?
A YouTube QR code is a scannable code that directs people to a YouTube URL. The destination can be an individual video, your YouTube channel, a playlist, or another page on YouTube.
When someone scans the code using their phone, the linked content opens without requiring them to manually type a URL or search for the video.
This can be especially useful when you're promoting video content in places where typing a web address isn't convenient. For example, a creator could place a QR code on a poster for a new video, while a business could use one on product packaging to link customers to a tutorial.
Why Use a QR Code for YouTube?
YouTube is primarily a digital platform, but your audience doesn't always discover your content online. QR codes give you a simple way to promote that content in the physical world.
Instead of printing a long YouTube URL, you can display a compact code alongside a short call to action such as “Watch the video” or “Scan to see how it works.”
YouTube QR codes can also make specific content easier to find. Someone who sees your promotional material doesn't have to remember your channel name or search through your videos. One scan can take them directly to the content you're promoting.
For businesses, QR codes can also extend the information available on printed materials. A package might have limited space for instructions, for example, while a QR code can take customers to a detailed demonstration.
YouTube Video QR Code vs. Channel QR Code
Before creating your QR code, decide where you want it to send people.
A YouTube video QR code takes users directly to one specific video. This works well when you're promoting a product demonstration, music video, tutorial, announcement, or other individual piece of content.
A YouTube channel QR code sends people to your channel instead. This can be a better option if your main goal is to introduce people to your overall content and encourage them to explore or subscribe.
You can also create a QR code for a YouTube playlist. This is useful when several videos belong together, such as a course, tutorial series, product videos, or a collection of related content.
Choose the destination based on what you want the person scanning the code to do next.
How to Create a YouTube QR Code
Creating a QR code for a YouTube video or channel doesn't require design or technical experience. You can create one with QR Codes Unlimited in a few steps.
Step 1: Copy Your YouTube URL
Open YouTube and find the video, channel, or playlist you want to share. Copy its URL.
Double-check the link before creating the code. If you're promoting a particular video, make sure you've copied the URL for the correct video.
Step 2: Open QR Codes Unlimited
Visit QR Codes Unlimited and select the option to create a QR code. For a YouTube link, you can use the URL option as your content type.
Step 3: Paste Your YouTube Link
Paste your YouTube URL into the appropriate field. The QR code will use this link as its destination when someone scans it.
Step 4: Customize Your QR Code
You can customize the appearance of your QR code to make it fit your brand or marketing material. Depending on your design, you may be able to adjust elements such as colors, borders, styles, text, and logos.
Customization can make a QR code more noticeable, but don't sacrifice readability for appearance. Make sure the code has enough contrast and remains easy to scan.
Step 5: Download and Test It
Download your finished QR code in the format you need for your project.
Before publishing or printing it, scan the code with a phone. Check that it opens the intended YouTube content and that the code works reliably.
Testing is particularly important when you're producing materials in large quantities. It's much easier to fix a QR code before printing hundreds of posters or packages.
Step 6: Add It to Your Marketing Materials
Once you've tested the code, add it to your marketing material. You can use it on posters, flyers, brochures, business cards, product packaging, displays, event materials, and more.
For digital campaigns, you can also include QR codes in graphics, presentations, or other content where your audience may have access to a second device.
Ways to Use YouTube QR Codes
There are plenty of ways to connect people with your YouTube content using QR codes.
- Promotional posters: Add a QR code to posters advertising a new video, product, event, or campaign. Give people a direct way to watch the featured content.
- Product packaging: Link customers to product demonstrations, setup instructions, tutorials, or maintenance videos.
- Business cards: Include a QR code that takes potential customers to your YouTube channel or a video that introduces your business.
- Music promotion: Musicians can place QR codes on posters, merchandise, album artwork, or promotional materials to share music videos, interviews, and behind-the-scenes content.
- Travel content: Travel creators can add QR codes to brochures, printed guides, maps, or promotional materials to help people discover their videos.
- Events: Organizers can use QR codes to share event highlights, speaker videos, presentations, interviews, or recordings.
- Educational materials: Teachers, trainers, and organizations can link printed resources to video lessons or demonstrations.
YouTube QR Code Best Practices
A QR code only helps if people can actually scan it. Keep a few basics in mind when using one.
- First, test the code before publishing it. Scan it with more than one phone if possible and confirm that it opens the right destination.
- Next, make the code large enough to scan comfortably. The ideal size depends on where it will be used and how far away people will be when scanning.
- Leave some clear space around the QR code as well. Nearby text, images, or design elements shouldn't interfere with the code.
- It's also helpful to include a clear call to action. Instead of displaying a QR code without context, tell people what they'll get by scanning it. “Watch the tutorial,” “See the full video,” or “Visit our YouTube channel” gives them a reason to take action.
- Finally, consider using a dynamic QR code when you're creating a campaign that may need to change over time.
Conclusion
A YouTube QR code provides a simple connection between your offline marketing and online video content. Instead of asking people to type a URL or search for a video, you can give them a direct path to the content with a quick scan.
Whether you're promoting a new video, growing your channel, sharing a product tutorial, or connecting customers with helpful information, a QR code can make your YouTube content easier to discover.
With QR Codes Unlimited, you can create and customize QR codes for your YouTube content and use them across different marketing materials. Just remember to test your code before publishing it and make sure it's easy for your audience to scan.
For more ideas and guides on using QR codes, explore the free resources available through the QR Codes Unlimited Academy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I create a QR code for a YouTube video?
Yes. Copy the URL of the YouTube video and use it as the destination when creating your QR code.
How do I create a QR code for my YouTube channel?
Copy your YouTube channel URL and enter it into a QR code generator. Anyone who scans the resulting code can be directed to your channel.
Can I create a QR code for a YouTube playlist?
Yes. Use the playlist URL as the destination. This lets people open the entire playlist after scanning.
Can I change where my YouTube QR code goes?
If you're using a dynamic QR code, you may be able to change the destination without replacing the printed code. This can be useful for campaigns that run for a long time.
Can I put a YouTube QR code on a poster?
Yes. Posters are one of many places where YouTube QR codes can be useful. You can also use them on flyers, packaging, brochures, business cards, displays, and event materials.
Do YouTube QR codes expire?
A QR code itself does not inherently expire. However, the destination can become unavailable if the linked YouTube content is deleted, made private, or otherwise changed.
