Static vs. dynamic QR codes

Every QR code you'll encounter is one of two kinds, and the difference matters more than anything else in this section.

Static QR codes

A static code encodes the destination URL directly into the pattern. That has one hard consequence: the destination can never change. If the link breaks, the page moves, or the campaign ends, every printed copy of that code is dead. Reprinting is the only fix.

Dynamic QR codes

A dynamic code encodes a short redirect link instead. When someone scans it, the redirect looks up the current destination and sends them there. The printed pattern never changes — but where it points can change anytime.

That unlocks three things:

1. Edit after printing. Fix a typo, swap a campaign, or point last year's poster at this year's page — no reprint.
2. Scan tracking. Because every scan passes through the redirect, you can count scans and see where and when they happen. Static codes are invisible; you'll never know if anyone scanned them.
3. Simpler patterns. A short redirect URL produces a less dense grid than a long destination URL, which scans more reliably at small sizes.

Which does Qbit use?

Every Qbit code is dynamic. You can repoint any code to a new website or page at any time, and scans start reporting to your analytics immediately. See Changing a QR code's destination after printing for the how-to.