Barcode scanning up 700% this year

Barcode scanning has increased 700% since the start of 2010, according to a new report from the barcode technology provider ScanBuy.

The emergence of scannable barcodes in advertising campaigns has been widely-discussed by industry insiders, but up until now there has been little research to suggest that consumers like the idea or use the service.

However, ScanBuy’s new report uses its own platform data to offer insights in to how consumers are using barcodes.  The key findings, noted in a MediaPost article, suggest that the technology is growing fast (more barcode scans were performed in a single month starting in July than in all of 2009).

The technology offers a huge opportunity for advertisers, as users with a camera phone can get product information, coupons of other branded content via tags placed on product packaging, print and outdoor ads.

The research shows that most codes drive people to websites.  Health & beauty products are the most popular category – making up 21% of scans.

Read the full article here.