Google Favorite Places and QR Codes

Google recently began mailing letters to the top 100,000+ businesses that have been cited as “favorites” by Google Maps users. Google has been tracking and calculating CTR on each business’s local listing to determine who exactly those top businesses are. Apparently the results are in and Google is now rewarding these businesses with a letter and a sticker. A sticker you say? Yes, the sticker is meant to be put on your storefront (much like the “Best of Citysearch” stickers you used to see). It contains a QR code. Any phone with a QR reader will be able to take a picture of this QR code and receive a plethora of information about the business (reviews, maps, directions, phone numbers, etc). Pretty cool.

This type of technology is common in Asia, and it’s finally making its way over to us. Realistically, the amount of people who will actually use this technology is probably pretty minimal. Based on the amount of businesses who have actually received one of these stickers, and the number of people who have smartphones, my guess is this technology won’t be widely accepted. Once more businesses are given the “sticker”, smartphone sales continue to increase and the general public becomes aware of what to do with a QR code, only then will the technology take off. I definitely give mad props (is it cool to say that any more?) to Google for trying to spread the use of this technology.

I can’t wait to see one of these stickers in a storefront so I can whip out my iPhone and test this out. I may get weird looks, but that’s OK. The store manager/owner will know what I’m doing and be happy he put that sticker on his store window. Has anyone seen one of these stickers “live” yet? If so, did you scan the QR code? How was the experience? Please let us know within the comments section.