How to build a geo-targeted QR code customer journey

Short answer

This article explains how to build a geo-targeted QR code customer journey with practical guidance, limits, and implementation details so you can apply it consistently.

A single QR code on packaging, signage, or print collateral can reach customers in dozens of countries. Geo-targeted workflows route each visitor to localized content — the right language, the right offer, the right store — from the same scannable code.

Quick summary

• Route by country automatically from a visitor's IP address — no app or GPS required
• Chain conditions to combine geo-routing with time, scan history, or form data
• Localize destinations without reprinting: update destinations anytime in your dashboard
• Set a global fallback for countries you haven't explicitly configured
• Track per-country performance to optimize each regional journey independently

Why geo-targeting matters for physical QR codes

Physical distribution — product packaging, trade show materials, outdoor advertising — puts your QR code in front of audiences in multiple geographies simultaneously. Without routing logic, every visitor lands on the same page regardless of language, currency, or local relevance.

Problem	What happens without geo-targeting	What happens with geo-targeting
Language mismatch	French visitors see English content	French visitors see French content
Wrong store link	International visitors get a local store URL	Each visitor gets their regional store
Irrelevant pricing	EU visitors see USD pricing	EU visitors see EUR pricing
Legal differences	GDPR regions get no data notice	GDPR regions get a compliant consent step
Different promotions	One global campaign	Region-specific offers

How country detection works

Linkbreakers derives the visitor's country from their IP address at scan time. No GPS permission is required. The country condition evaluates this automatically and branches the workflow accordingly.

What it detects	Accuracy	Notes
Country	High	City-level via IP, reliable at country level
Region / state	Medium	Less reliable for routing, use as supplementary data
Language	Inferred	Use browser language from device data for finer control

VPN users may appear in the wrong country. For critical routing (legal compliance, payment regions), treat geo detection as a strong signal rather than a guarantee. Always configure a solid fallback destination.

Building your first geo-targeted journey

Step 1: Map your destinations per region

Before setting up conditions, list which URL each region should see:

Region	Language	Destination
United States	English	https://yoursite.com/us
United Kingdom	English	https://yoursite.com/uk
France	French	https://yoursite.com/fr
Germany	German	https://yoursite.com/de
Spain	Spanish	https://yoursite.com/es
All others	English	https://yoursite.com/global

Step 2: Build the workflow

1. Go to QR Codes in your dashboard
2. Open the workflow editor for your link
3. Add a country condition as the first step
4. Configure each country branch pointing to the correct destination
5. Add a fallback destination (required) for unmatched countries
6. Save and test with a VPN set to each target region

Step 3: Test each branch

Use a VPN or ask a colleague in each target country to scan before going live. Verify:

• Correct destination loads for each country
• Fallback loads for an unlisted country (e.g., Brazil if not configured)
• Page language matches visitor expectation

Chaining geo-routing with other conditions

Country conditions become more powerful when combined with other workflow steps.

Geo + time: local business hours

Show different content depending on whether a visitor in a given country is scanning during or outside business hours.

See how to use scheduler conditions for the time-based routing setup.

Geo + lead capture: compliant forms by region

GDPR applies to EU residents. Route EU visitors through a consent-aware form before collecting their data:

Build GDPR-specific and standard versions of your form step with the appropriate consent language for each region.

Geo + scan history: returning regional visitors

Show first-time visitors from Germany a German welcome journey, and returning German visitors a German re-engagement journey:

See how to retarget QR code visitors who didn't convert for the rescan condition setup.

Common geo-targeted journey patterns

Use case	Routing logic	Outcome
Global product launch	Country → language-specific landing page	Each market sees relevant content
Retail chain	Country → nearest regional store finder	Visitors find the right location
Compliance-aware lead capture	EU countries → GDPR form; others → standard form	Correct consent per jurisdiction
Multi-currency pricing	Country → region-specific pricing page	No currency confusion
Trade show with global attendees	Country → localized follow-up content	Personalized post-event experience
Food & beverage packaging	Country → region-appropriate recipe or product info	Compliant with local labeling expectations

Updating destinations without reprinting

One of the most practical benefits of geo-targeted QR journeys: you can change any regional destination at any time without reprinting the code. This matters for:

• Seasonal campaigns: point German visitors to a holiday promo in December, swap to a January clearance in January
• Market expansion: add a new country branch when you launch in Brazil or Japan
• A/B testing regional messaging: update the French destination to a new variant and monitor performance

See what data you can collect from QR code scans for how geographic data is captured and what accuracy to expect.

Tracking geo-targeted performance

Every scan generates an event tagged with the visitor's country. Use your link analytics to break down performance by region.

Metric to watch	What it tells you
Scans by country	Which markets engage most
Conversion rate by country	Which regions respond best to your CTA
Drop-off by country branch	Which regional journey has friction
Lead capture rate by region	Where opt-in rates are highest

If one country has high scan volume but low conversion, the destination or language may not be locally relevant. Update that branch and retest.

Frequently asked questions

What if a visitor uses a VPN?

Linkbreakers detects the IP country at scan time. VPN users appear in the VPN server's country, not their actual location. This is an edge case for most consumer campaigns but worth noting for B2B use cases where VPN usage is common.

Can I route by region or city, not just country?

Country is the primary routing dimension for conditions. City and region data is collected and visible in analytics but not currently available as a branching condition.

Can I route by browser language instead of country?

Not directly via a condition today. Country detection from IP is the available routing signal. Browser language is captured in visitor data and can inform manual segmentation.

How many countries can I configure in one condition?

There's no documented hard limit. Practical workflows typically configure 3–8 primary markets and rely on the fallback for all others.

Can I use the same destination for multiple countries?

Yes. Route several country branches to the same URL when the content is appropriate for multiple markets — for example, routing all English-speaking countries to one destination.

Limits and caveats

• Feature availability and limits can vary by plan and workspace setup.
• Results depend on correct implementation, attribution setup, and data quality controls.
• Regulatory and privacy obligations vary by jurisdiction and use case.