This week I will be going back and checking in on some of the topics I have recently written about.  First up, QR Codes.  My last QR code post focused on their practical uses, potential to improve print and outdoor advertising, and whether or not it will catch on in the United States.  Well, they may have found their ticket.

There is a rumor spreading that Facebook is experimenting with using QR codes on its site.  One blog predicts Facebook will use the codes for profile information and status updates, citing convenience for those who use Facebook on their mobile phones.  I think the effects will cover a much broader range than just Facebook users, but that broader range won’t be reached without Facebook’s help.

The future of "Friend Requests"??

Facebook’s numbers are staggering.  There are over 400 million active Facebook users, with over half logging on daily, and the average time spent on the site 55 minutes/day.  While the online stats are great, the mobile numbers should easily drive Facebook into QR code usage.

Facebook Mobile Statistics

• There are more than 100 million active users currently accessing Facebook through their mobile devices.
• People that use Facebook on their mobile devices are twice more active on Facebook than non-mobile users.
• There are more than 200 mobile operators in 60 countries working to deploy and promote Facebook mobile products

The practical use for QR codes have been written about for years, and I believe Facebook could provide the distribution required for QR Codes to take off in the United States.  With Facebook on board, it would be impossible for marketers to ignore QR codes any longer.  The potential to drive consumers to their Facebook sites, where they can interact directly with the company and its content, would skyrocket and become a necessary component of promotions.  Also, if the demand for QR code reader technology increases with Facebook’s adoption of the codes, it will likely become a standardized option on mobile devices.

Do you think Facebook could successfully launch QR codes into the United States?  Other than distribution, what else would QR codes need to be used in the United States?