How to retarget QR code visitors who didn't convert

Short answer

This article explains how to retarget QR code visitors who didn't convert with practical guidance, limits, and implementation details so you can apply it consistently.

Most visitors who scan your QR code won't convert on the first interaction. Linkbreakers lets you detect returning visitors and route them through a different experience — so your QR code keeps working long after the first scan.

Quick summary

• Detect returning visitors automatically using scan/rescan conditions
• Show a different message to second-time or third-time visitors without reprinting
• Score leads progressively across multiple scans to prioritize your best prospects
• Combine conditions to personalize by both scan history and location or time
• Track drop-off points per visit to know where to improve the journey

Why first-time scans rarely convert

QR codes in physical environments (packaging, posters, signage, print ads) reach people who are browsing, not buying. Research consistently shows that most offline touchpoints require multiple exposures before a visitor takes action.

Visit	Typical behavior	What you want to show
First scan	Exploring, low intent	Welcome message, brand intro, low-friction offer
Second scan	Recalling your brand, higher intent	Specific product, testimonial, time-limited offer
Third+ scan	Actively considering	Direct CTA, discount, simplified checkout

Without retargeting logic, every scan shows the same experience — which means returning visitors see a message designed for strangers.

How scan/rescan detection works in Linkbreakers

Linkbreakers identifies devices using a fingerprint built from browser, OS, screen, and network signals. When a visitor scans the same QR code again, the scan/rescan condition detects whether this is a new or returning device and routes them accordingly.

Condition result	Meaning	Suggested action
First scan	New device, never visited this link	Run full onboarding journey
Rescan	Returning device, scanned before	Skip intro, go straight to offer

Building a retargeting workflow step by step

Step 1: Define your two journeys

Before opening the workflow editor, write out what each type of visitor should experience:

Journey	Audience	Goal	Steps
First-visit	New scanner	Introduce brand, capture email	Form → brand content
Return-visit	Returning scanner	Drive conversion	Offer → product page

Step 2: Create your workflow

1. Go to QR Codes in your dashboard
2. Open or create a QR code, then open the workflow editor
3. Add a scan/rescan condition as the first step after the scan entry point
4. Connect the first scan branch to your welcome journey (form + brand page)
5. Connect the rescan branch to your re-engagement journey (direct offer or CTA)
6. Set a fallback destination in case the condition can't be evaluated

Step 3: Add progressive data collection

For the first-visit branch, include a form step to collect the visitor's email. For the rescan branch, enable auto-skip if known on the form — visitors who already submitted won't be asked again.

Combining retargeting with other conditions

Scan/rescan detection becomes more powerful when chained with other conditions.

Retargeting by location

Show returning visitors a geo-specific offer:

Retargeting by time window

Pair scan history with time-of-day routing to catch returning visitors at the right moment:

Condition chain	Behavior
Rescan + morning	Show breakfast offer
Rescan + evening	Show dinner or end-of-day CTA
First scan + any time	Always show welcome

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

Using lead scores to prioritize returning visitors

Every visitor accumulates a lead score based on device signals, engagement patterns, and scan history. Returning visitors with high scores are your most qualified prospects.

Lead score range	Interpretation	Recommended action
0–30	Low intent, casual scan	Nurture with content, no hard sell
31–60	Moderate interest, researching	Show social proof, case studies
61–100	High intent, close to decision	Direct CTA, discount, sales contact

While you can't branch workflows by lead score directly, you can export high-score returning visitors from your visitor dashboard and follow up through your CRM or email tool.

Tracking retargeting performance

Each branch of your workflow generates separate events, so you can measure first-visit vs. return-visit behavior independently.

Metric	Where to find it	What it tells you
Rescan rate	Link analytics	How many visitors are returning
Form completion by visit type	Visitor profiles	Whether opt-in rate improves on return
Destination click-through	Event stream	Which journey drives more action
Lead score distribution	Visitor list	Quality of returning vs. new visitors

If your rescan rate is below 10%, your first-visit experience may not be compelling enough to bring people back. If it's above 30%, you have a strong retargeting opportunity to capitalize on.

Common retargeting patterns

Industry	First visit	Return visit
Retail / FMCG	Product story + opt-in	Loyalty offer or reorder link
Events	Agenda + registration	Post-event survey + replay
Real estate	Property overview	Viewing request form
B2B	Company intro + whitepaper	Demo booking or pricing page
Hospitality	Menu or room info	Upsell or rebooking discount

Frequently asked questions

How does Linkbreakers know a visitor is returning?

Linkbreakers builds a device fingerprint from browser, OS, screen size, and network signals. It's probabilistic — not cookie-based — so it works even when visitors clear cookies or use private browsing. Accuracy is high for typical devices but may vary with VPNs or shared devices.

Can I limit how many times the rescan branch fires?

The scan/rescan condition distinguishes first scans from all subsequent scans. It doesn't currently distinguish second from third visits. For finer-grained multi-visit logic, consider combining it with form auto-skip behavior to progressively collect data without friction.

Does retargeting work without form submissions?

Yes. The scan/rescan condition fires based on device recognition, not form submission. Visitors who skipped your form on the first scan can still be routed differently on return.

Does changing the workflow affect historical analytics?

No. Historical events are stored as-is. Updating the workflow only affects future scans.

Can I A/B test my first-visit vs. return-visit journeys?

Not natively within Linkbreakers. However, you can compare performance by filtering your analytics to visitors where visit count = 1 vs. visitors with multiple events on the same link.

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.