Bitly
Manage, track, and analyze short links and QR Codes easily
What is Bitly?
Try BitlyBitly helps teams create and manage short links and QR Codes with analytics so you can see what’s working across campaigns and channels. With Bitly 2D Barcodes for product packaging and labels, you can include a GS1 Digital Link and track scans from shelf to recycling. These QR codes can also link to a website so shoppers can learn more using a smartphone.
What are Bitly 2D Barcodes and what problem do they solve?
Bitly 2D Barcodes are QR Codes designed for product packaging and labels. They store a GS1 Digital Link that includes a product’s Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) for scanning with a barcode reader at checkout, and they can also link to a website URL so consumers can scan with a smartphone to learn about the products they’re buying.
How do Bitly 2D Barcodes connect to product information like GTIN?
Bitly’s 2D Barcodes include a GS1 Digital Link with the product’s GTIN, so the same code can be scanned at checkout using a barcode reader. The code can also be set to point to a website URL for consumer-facing information.
What extra value do 2D barcodes offer compared with traditional 1D barcodes?
2D Barcodes store far more data than traditional “1D” barcodes, giving businesses and consumers more information with each scan. Placing them directly on packaging and labels can support inventory management, deeper brand connections, and stronger consumer insights.
Can you use Bitly 2D Barcodes to track scans beyond the point of sale?
Yes. Bitly positions 2D Barcodes for tracking products through their lifecycle, from shelf to recycling, using a single 2D barcode. You can also collect localized data to target geographic market opportunities and monitor consumer behavior and trends in real time.
Does Bitly support adding data-rich standards like GS1 to QR codes?
Yes. Bitly’s 2D Barcodes use GS1 Digital Links, and the codes are built around GS1 standards. GS1 is a global not-for-profit organization that develops and maintains widely used barcode standards.
Is Bitly suitable for non-technical teams creating QR codes?
Bitly is designed to help you turn packaging and labels into measurable scans by linking 2D barcodes to the information you want people to access. The focus on packaging-ready QR codes and trackable scan experiences is meant to make it easier to drive and measure consumer interactions without requiring barcode-reader expertise.