Pinterest Just Introduced Its Take on QR Codes

Pinterest Tuesday announced the debut of Pincodes, which are basically QR codes, Pinterest-style.

Creative program lead Nancy Jeng said in a blog post that Pincodes bring mobile device users directly to products, boards or profiles on Pinterest, adding, “When someone comes across your Pincode, all they have to do is open their Pinterest camera and hold it up to scan. You can take them to any of your boards on Pinterest, or even send them right to your profile to see everything you’ve got to offer.”

Businesses can follow the instructions here to create Pincodes for their profiles or boards.

Jeng said retail giant Nordstrom is already using Pincodes, having placed them throughout its stores, and she added, “All people have to do is pull out their phone to unlock a little inspiration, like Nordstrom’s carefully curated board of gifts under $100.”

She also provided more examples of Pincodes already in use and how brands can tap into the new feature:

• Magazines can use Pincodes to bring their print stories to life. Real Simple is using Pincodes in its December issue to share exclusive digital content from its Pinterest boards.
• Food brands can use Pincodes to inspire people to use their products in new ways. Kraft will be using Pincodes on an upcoming product to show people easy recipes and hacks.
• Car companies can use Pincodes to show off new features and functionality. For example, Kia is creating a Pincodes display at the Los Angeles Auto Show to showcase design features for the all-new 2018 Kia Stinger.
• You can even use Pincodes as an extension of your Pinterest campaigns, like The Home Depot, which will feature Pincodes in select stores as an extension of its Built in Pins campaign, providing how-to content and giving customers the confidence to take on projects for themselves.

David Cohen

David Cohen is editor of Adweek's Social Pro Daily.