How It Works — Three Steps to Full Attribution
From a printed QR code to campaign data in your analytics platform.
- Add UTM parameters — Enter
utm_source,utm_medium=qr, andutm_campaignin the built-in UTM panel. The builder appends them to your destination URL automatically. - Generate a short link — QR Attribution wraps your UTM URL in a trackable short link, so the final QR code stays compact and scannable even with long UTM strings.
- Convert to QR and track scans and clicks — Download your print-ready QR code. Every scan logs country, device, and timestamp in QR Attribution. Your UTM parameters arrive intact at the destination, tagging sessions in GA4 or Plausible.
Example of a fully-attributed destination URL:
Two Layers of Campaign Attribution
QR Attribution gives you scan-level data that GA4 alone cannot provide.
Source / medium / campaign visibility
Set utm_medium=qr consistently across campaigns. Filter all QR-generated sessions in GA4 with a single segment — separate from email, paid, and organic traffic.
Compare campaign performance
Use utm_campaign to compare multiple QR campaigns side by side. See which placement, event, or creative drives the most scans and conversions.
Learn about short link creation and attribution in the short link generator guide, or explore the Bitly alternative if you need unlimited free tracked links.
Where Teams Use UTM QR Codes
Offline-to-online attribution for every print and event channel.
Print ads
Tag each ad placement with a unique UTM source and content. Know which ad drove traffic, not just that traffic came in.
Event collateral
Use separate QR codes per event or booth. Compare scan-to-conversion rates across events with matching campaign parameters.
Product inserts
Add a UTM-tagged QR code to packaging or inserts. Measure post-purchase engagement and attribute it to the product line or SKU.
Frequently Asked Questions
What UTMs should I use for QR campaigns?
Recommended: utm_source = placement (e.g., flyer, packaging), utm_medium = qr, utm_campaign = campaign name. Add utm_content if you have multiple creative variants to compare. This keeps QR traffic clean in GA4 without mixing it with email or paid search sessions.
Can I track both scans and link clicks?
Yes. QR Attribution's trackable codes give you two layers: QR Attribution's own scan count (total scans, unique scans, countries, devices) plus GA4 or Plausible campaign data from the UTM parameters. You see how many people scanned the QR code and how many converted — no gap in the funnel.
Is this UTM builder free?
Yes. The UTM panel in QR Attribution is free to use with no plan upgrade required. Add utm_source, utm_medium, utm_campaign, utm_content, and utm_term directly in the builder and they are appended to your destination URL automatically.
Do I need Google Analytics to use it?
No. QR Attribution tracks scan and click data independently of GA4 or Plausible. Those tools are optional — use them if you want campaign-level attribution in your analytics platform, but QR Attribution's own dashboard works without them.
Can I reuse templates for new campaigns?
Yes. Save your UTM naming conventions and reuse the same source, medium, and campaign structure across campaigns. Update only the destination URL and campaign name for each new run to keep your attribution data consistent and comparable.
Build your first UTM-tagged QR code.
Built-in UTM panel, trackable redirect, and two-layer attribution. Free — no credit card, no limits.
Build UTM Link