How QR Code Tracking Works
Every scan is an insight. Here's exactly what gets captured, how, and what you can do with it.
What happens when someone scans your code
The scanner reads the redirect URL
Dynamic QR codes store a short Guru QR redirect link, not the final destination. When someone scans the code, their phone reads this redirect URL and sends a request to our servers.
We log the scan data in the background
Our server instantly captures the timestamp, the scanner's approximate location (from their IP address), and their device type. This happens in a background job — it never slows down the redirect.
The scanner is redirected to your destination
Within milliseconds, the scanner is sent to your destination URL. The whole process — tracking plus redirect — typically adds 50–150ms, which is imperceptible to the end user.
Your dashboard updates in real time
Your scan analytics update immediately. You can see totals, trends over time, a world map of scan locations, and a breakdown by device type — all on the code's detail page in your dashboard.
What data is captured
Each scan record includes the following information.
Timestamp
The exact date and time of the scan, stored in UTC and displayed in your local timezone.
Location
Country, region, and city — derived from the scanner's IP address using a geo-IP database. No GPS is used.
Device type
Whether the scan came from a mobile phone, tablet, or desktop, and the operating system.
Scan count
Total scans, daily trends, and monthly totals — shown as charts on your dashboard.
Tracking by plan
All plans track scan counts. Detailed per-scan analytics require an active paid plan.
| Feature | Free | Hobbyist+ |
|---|---|---|
| Total scan count | ✓ | ✓ |
| Monthly scan summary email | ✓ | — (full dashboard instead) |
| Per-scan location data | — up to 100/month | ✓ unlimited |
| Device type breakdown | — | ✓ |
| Scan history & timeline | — | ✓ |
| Codes keep redirecting after cancelling | ✓ | ✓ |
Privacy & data handling
Do you store the scanner's IP address?
We use the IP address to derive location (country, region, city) and then discard it. We do not store raw IP addresses in scan records.
Is scan tracking GDPR-compliant?
We do not use cookies, fingerprinting, or cross-site tracking. Location is derived from IP and immediately discarded. Scan data is aggregated and anonymised at the per-code level. See our Privacy Policy for full details.
Can I export my scan data?
Scan data is visible in your dashboard. CSV export is available on paid plans from the code detail page.
What happens to my analytics if I cancel?
Your codes keep redirecting and scan counts continue to be tracked. Detailed per-scan records (location, device) are paused while you're on the free plan. Re-subscribing restores full analytics immediately.
Start tracking your QR code scans today
Free forever plan · No card required · Codes never expire
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