If you have ever hesitated when writing it, relax. You are not alone. Most people search "qrcode" on Google, but the official name is actually "QR Code". And you know what? Both work perfectly fine.

Let us clear this up once and for all.

Want to create QR codes now? See how VISU helps you build trackable, customizable QR codes for marketing and payments in minutes.
Create Free QR Code →

Why All the Confusion?

QR Code displayed on smartphone with marketing, payments, gamification and rewards icons
Whether you write QR Code or qrcode, both lead to the same powerful technology.

The official term comes from English: Quick Response Code. That is where "QR Code" (with a space and proper capitalization) comes from. But in practice, especially in casual searches, people type "qrcode" (all together, all lowercase) when looking for online generators or quick tutorials on their phones.

In corporate documents and technical publications? You will see "QR Code" spelled properly. But on social media, posts, and hashtags? It is usually "qrcode".

The bottom line: if you want to rank well on Google and capture all types of searches, it is worth using both forms strategically in your content.

When to Use Each Form

QR Code (with space) works better in formal contexts, presentations, corporate documents, technical reports, and materials where you want to follow the official standard.

qrcode (all together) is more common in posts, blogs, social media, hashtags, and quick mobile searches. It is the "real life" form that the public actually types.

For SEO, the ideal is to include both variations throughout your text, in titles, subheadings, and body copy. The audience searches both ways, and you want to appear for both.

What Is This Thing and Why Did It Become Popular?

Created in 1994 by Japanese company Denso Wave, the QR Code is a two-dimensional code that stores information: links, text, data, whatever you want. Unlike traditional barcodes, it can store much more data and can be read by virtually any smartphone.

The cool part? It connects the physical world to digital simply. A paper menu becomes an interactive experience. Simple packaging leads directly to videos, reviews, or sustainability information. It stopped being just a technical tool and became a strategic channel.

Both are correct: "QR Code" is official, "qrcode" is how people actually search.

QR Codes Became Essential in Retail and Marketing

Restaurants, retailers, events, everyone is using them. Digital menus, coupons, discounts, satisfaction surveys.

Why? Because, according to eMarketer, retail is increasingly adopting QR Codes to reduce costs, increase engagement, and better integrate the physical and digital worlds. And without needing expensive hardware: just print the code and let the customer's smartphone do the rest.

Payments? QR Code Is the Standard Now

The financial sector was one of the biggest drivers in putting QR Codes in front of the general public. McKinsey reports show that digital payments have grown rapidly in emerging markets, and QR Codes are a fundamental part of this ecosystem.

No expensive card machine, no complication: just a QR Code and done. It connects directly to banking apps, digital wallets, and instant payment systems.

Pro Tip: For SEO, use "QR Code" in headlines and formal sections, and "qrcode" in more casual contexts. This way you capture search volume from both variations naturally. See how VISU helps you create trackable QR codes for any use case.

Gamification with QR Codes (Because Everything Can Be More Fun)

Beyond payments and link access, QR Codes have become experience tools. Instead of just being a shortcut, they can be part of a gamified journey.

Gartner reports highlight gamification as a fundamental strategy for engagement, and QR Codes enter as the perfect trigger: easy to access, measurable, and full of creative possibilities.

Think of scans that unlock loyalty points, interactive games at events, prizes and instant discounts, micro-rewards that go viral. Each scan becomes an opportunity for engagement and data.

Summary

The correct form, on paper, is "QR Code". It is the official term, ISO standard, and adopted in technical and institutional documents.

In practice, many people write "qrcode" (and that is fine, it is how the public searches, especially on mobile).

For your content to rank well and speak the user's language, the ideal is to use both forms naturally throughout the text. Your audience searches both ways, and Google understands when you cover both.

Turn "qrcode" Into Real Results

Create trackable, customizable QR Codes ready for marketing campaigns, payments, and interactive experiences in minutes.

Create Free QR Code
Want to explore first? See VISU Products →

FAQ: QR Code or qrcode?

What is the correct way: QR Code or qrcode?
The officially correct term is "QR Code" because it comes from Quick Response Code. However, "qrcode" is widely used in searches, social media, and informal language. For SEO, the ideal is to use both forms naturally in your content.
Does using "qrcode" instead of "QR Code" hurt my SEO?
Not necessarily. In practice, people type both ways on Google. If your text includes "QR Code" and "qrcode" in relevant contexts like titles, subheadings, and body text, you cover the search volume for both terms.
When should I prefer to write "QR Code"?
In formal documents, client presentations, institutional materials, technical reports, contracts, manuals, and any communication that follows stricter language and standardization rules.
When does "qrcode" make more sense?
On social media, blogs, more casual titles, hashtags, short descriptions, and content designed for end-user language, especially when you want to match how people actually search.
Does Google understand "QR Code" and "qrcode" as the same thing?
Generally, yes: Google recognizes that both terms are related to the same concept. Still, using both variations helps capture more search combinations, including long-tail, increasing your chances of ranking well.
Can I use QR Code and qrcode in the same text without problems?
You can and should, as long as it makes sense. Use "QR Code" in more formal contexts and "qrcode" in more casual or SEO-focused sections. The key is to keep reading natural and avoid forced keyword stuffing.

References