Hope you guys are aware about the public launch of Google’s URL Shortener service — Goo.gl. Goo.gl has features like automatic spam detection and it has nearly 100% uptime since their initial launch. You can use your Google account to view URL history, traffic sources, referrers and visitor profiles for countries, browsers and platforms.
I came to know Goo.gl has an awesome Easter Egg which instantly turns any link into a QR Code. A QR Code is a matrix barcode (or 2D code), readable by QR scanners, mobile phones with a camera, and smartphones. You can easily create it using this simple URL tweak. Earlier also we were able to generate QR codes using Goo.gl, but that was not the official way, and now since Goo.gl is live, we can easily generate them.
How To Create QR Code Using Goo.gl
Really simple, just go to Goo.gl and shorten the URL.
Now add “.qr” to the end of it.
For example, the shortened URL for HellBound Bloggers is http://goo.gl/A15k. Now add .qr to the URL, i.e., http://goo.gl/A15k.qr. Now it will display the following QR code.
Also check the Konami Easter egg code for Google Docs.
What’s the big deal? What’s the use of this?
These QR codes are great for mobile use. Google has been using them a lot for stuffs like easy installation of Android apps.
nice that works 😀
Glad to hear that. 😀
QR Codes are going to become ever more popular in the next year or so, many advertising companies are using them on posters so that when the code is scanner that person will be brought to the website. They are probably the best way to tie the real world in with the inline world.
Saw this post long back but in excitement to learn about qr codes forgot to comment 😛
Great post dude…! 🙂
I love qr codes but I never understood why Google added it to their URL shortner. Basically you can goto any website and create a QR code with ease and I really think the best place of them is on print items such as ads or business cards. My thought is if it is on your computer screen, you will just click on it to go instead. I guess the tracking may be the only benefit?
I really didn’t know Google is offering Goo.gl service that can convert URLs into a 2D barcodes. Thanks for letting us know.
can you create a video showing how you can use QR code using mobile camera , or give any link to such thing , i have never seen such thing works with a camera before
thanks for sharing! i guess i need to try it lol
Good to know this new information regarding google url shortening service…
This one is cool….
goo.gl rocks 😉
WOW, so basic and easy 🙂 thanks for the share 🙂
Nice post, I believe most of the camera phones (incl. some of Nokia S40) can read QR codes. (Correct me if I am wrong).
Hey Pradeep, whats the big deal with this QR code? Would they be helpful in some ways?
I think in future it will be used as thumbnail for every link. 😉
Maybe when you create mobile applications for your website buddy. 🙂
Well, Mobile apps for my blog. That will be awesome. I am gonna create a QR code now. Thanks for this tutorial.
well i tried goo.gl… n i think it more safer than others….
well written .. First need to get an android device for me 😀
It is creating for every link but what is the use of it?
I think it can be used for mobile applications powered by Android. 🙂
Nice detailed explanation. But it wouldn’t be of great use to me.
Useful for mobile versions of site.
a new one for me 🙂 cool pradeep
nice feature, thanks for sharing 🙂
That is a really neat little trick! I’d love to move over to using goo.gl, but since I’m using a custom short domain, I guess I’m stuck with bit.ly, for a while at least
@Shekhar Sahu – How they are useful for our blogs? I have never heard about those code before can you tell me how you’re going to use these QR Code in your blog?
These special features will distinguish goo.gl from others and surely take it to new heights.
Oh its cool, i will use them in my blogs 🙂