Dynamically created QR Codes with Marketo tracking | Community
Skip to main content
J
johnlane
Level 2
November 7, 2019
Solved

Dynamically created QR Codes with Marketo tracking

  • November 7, 2019
  • 3 replies
  • 11647 views

We are having issues with accessing links directly through some CTA’s in emails from direct Marketo links. This is mainly due to restrictions imposed on some of the companies that we work with. It makes it incredibly hard when trying to provide long form content such as PDF or information hosted on webpages.

I was trying to use QR codes as a way of navigating around this the idea is that the long form content will be accessible via their mobile device should they wish to consume it, but having a generic QR code will lose end to end trackability per individual within Marketo.

Is there a way to have the Marketo user enter the URL that is required for the person to land on but have Marketo dynamically create personalized QR codes with the personalized Marketo tracking link for each individual recipient to maintain this tracking, even when the QR code is scanned from an independent device?

Would this be feasible or does anyone else do anything similar?

Best answer by SanfordWhiteman

You can create a personalized QR code in Velocity. QR codes merely encode a URL internally. So as long as that URL is generated with the mkt_tok attached in advance, the QR code itself will be personalized.

Alternately, you can use a webhook to fetch a unique QR code and use another personalization mechanism, like a Munchkin associator token, to accomplish the same as the mkt_tok.

It's an intriguing idea to use QR codes to get around strict blocks on all hyperlinks. A bit deceptive perhaps ... but if the end users want the content, sounds legit to me.

3 replies

SanfordWhiteman
SanfordWhitemanAccepted solution
Level 10
November 7, 2019

You can create a personalized QR code in Velocity. QR codes merely encode a URL internally. So as long as that URL is generated with the mkt_tok attached in advance, the QR code itself will be personalized.

Alternately, you can use a webhook to fetch a unique QR code and use another personalization mechanism, like a Munchkin associator token, to accomplish the same as the mkt_tok.

It's an intriguing idea to use QR codes to get around strict blocks on all hyperlinks. A bit deceptive perhaps ... but if the end users want the content, sounds legit to me.

    Jay_Jiang
    Jay_Jiang
    Level 10
    November 7, 2019

    @Sanford Whiteman Please do share how one would generate a QR code in velocity on the fly

    Regarding your question John, we use a php QR code generation service for events. We have an img tag with src to something like https://domain.com/qr.php?id={{lead.Id}}&pid={{program.Id}} and it's set up to provide a png QR code of the query string

    Applying the same method, in your emails you could have an <img src="https://domain.com/qr.php?link=https://content.link/piece-of-content?mkt_tok=##MKT_TOK##" /> where it's set up to provide a png QR code of the 'link' parameter's value

    SanfordWhiteman
    SanfordWhiteman
    Level 10
    November 7, 2019

    I'll get around to it eventually, many posts in the way.

    J
    johnlaneAuthor
    Level 2
    November 8, 2019

    Thankyou @Sanford Whiteman‌ and @Jay Jiang‌. Very helpful!

    Chris_Willis1
    Adobe Champion
    Chris_Willis1Adobe Champion
    Adobe Champion
    November 8, 2019

    Following as this can be very helpful! 

    Chris Willis - Fractional GTM Operations Consultant
    Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement

    Loading footer...