How CPG QR codes build loyalty on social media
QR codes are everywhere — on restaurant menus, product packaging, and store displays — because they offer an instant way to access valuable information. With a quick scan, consumers can visit a website, follow a brand on social media, or unlock exclusive content.
For consumer packaged goods (CPG) brands — companies that sell everyday essentials like snacks and personal care items — QR codes offer new ways to engage customers beyond the shelf. Major brands like Lay’s and Olay use them to share product details, offer discounts, and drive social interactions.
But QR codes do more than connect customers to content — they build loyalty. By making it easy for consumers to engage beyond the point of purchase, these codes turn one-time buyers into repeat customers. And when integrated into social media campaigns, they create a seamless way to grow your audience, encourage user-generated content (UGC), and amplify influencer marketing campaigns.
(Spoiler: It's easier, more flexible, and more affordable than you think.)
Why pair QR codes with social media marketing?
Before the rise of social media and hyper-connected consumers, CPG brands struggled to build direct relationships with their customers. Most sales happened through third-party retailers, making it difficult to gather feedback, track engagement, or create personalized experiences. However, with social media, these businesses now have a direct line to their audience, allowing them to engage, reward, and incentivize shoppers in real time.
So, how can QR codes strengthen that connection? For CPG brands, they serve as an instant, frictionless way to drive customers from physical products to digital engagement. Here’s how:
Versatility
You can place QR codes almost anywhere — product packaging, in-store signage, promotional materials — making it easy for CPG brands to engage customers beyond checkout.
For example, whiskey brand Century Farms Distillery prints a QR code on every bottle, connecting customers to the farm where the corn was grown — reinforcing trust and authenticity through transparency and storytelling.
But QR codes aren’t just for sharing stories — they’re a direct gateway to social media engagement. A single scan can:
Lead customers to an Instagram giveaway featuring your latest product sweepstakes.
Connect shoppers to a TikTok campaign highlighting creative ways to use your product.
Direct users to a Snapchat AR filter where they can engage with your brand in a fun, interactive way.
CPG brands can even integrate QR codes into sampling campaigns, influencer promotions, and seasonal marketing efforts to drive engagement where it matters most — on social media.
TL;DR: QR codes make social media engagement effortless, helping CPG brands reach customers at every touchpoint.
Low cost
Creating QR codes is straightforward and budget-friendly, making them an easy win for CPG companies looking to boost social media interactions without extra ad spend. Many QR code generators offer free plans, and even advanced tools with built-in analytics and customization options remain affordable compared to traditional marketing.
Accessibility
QR codes make it effortless for shoppers to connect with their favorite brands online. Instead of manually typing in a URL, they scan the code with their smartphone camera and instantly access product details, promotions, and loyalty programs.
With 91% of Americans now owning a smartphone, QR codes have become a standard tool for engagement — especially in the post-pandemic era, where contactless interactions are the norm. Most consumers are already familiar with how to use them, eliminating educational barriers and making adoption seamless.
Some CPG brands, like Kellogg's, use QR codes to enhance accessibility for a diverse range of customers. Since 2020, shoppers with visual impairments have been able to scan cereal boxes to hear the ingredients, allergen information, and recycling instructions read aloud — expanding inclusivity in product marketing.
Data collection
Some types of QR codes can capture valuable data about customer behavior, helping CPG companies understand how and where consumers are engaging with their products. Dynamic QR codes, the latest generation of the technology, can provide real-time tracking on scan frequency, location, and even device type — depending on the QR Code generation tool you use.
This information is a powerful form of first-party customer data — offering hard numbers on consumer behavior without relying on third-party retailers. Brands can track:
Which QR code placements get the most interactions (e.g., product packaging vs. in-store displays)
Where customers are scanning from (e.g., major cities vs. suburban grocery stores)
What channels are driving the most traffic (e.g., codes in social ads vs. influencer campaigns)
Why does this matter? Because it helps marketers refine future campaigns. Instead of guessing which social media efforts, promotions, or ads are effective, brands can analyze engagement patterns and optimize accordingly.
Over time, this data-driven approach allows brands to target the right consumers at the right time, creating more personalized loyalty campaigns. For example, shifting resources to digital if social media QR codes outperform print or tailoring content based on regional scan data.
Grow your social media following
Social media is one of the most effective sales drivers for CPG brands, but growing a following isn’t easy. Most consumers engage with people, not brands, making it harder for CPG companies to build an audience.
Social media is also a slow-burn ecommerce strategy, requiring consistent customer engagement, viral content, or influencer partnerships to see results. Meanwhile, many CPG brands rely on impulse in-store purchases, meaning they need a quick way to capture the interest of their customer base.
QR codes help close that gap by giving customers an instant way to follow your brand or join a rewards program at the moment of highest engagement. By placing codes on product packaging, in-store displays, or promotional materials, you make it effortless for consumers to:
Follow your brand on Instagram or TikTok immediately after trying a product
Join a loyalty program to receive exclusive perks and content
Access UGC campaigns and see how others are using your product in real time
But social media isn’t just about discovery — it’s about customer retention. Once a consumer follows you, they're more likely to engage with your brand, stay updated on future product launches, and become loyal customers. QR codes make this even simpler, turning a single scan into a lasting connection.
Encourage UGC sharing
User-generated content (UGC) — photos, videos, and comments shared by real customers — is one of the most powerful trust-builders for CPG brands. Beyond helping brands showcase their products with minimal content creation, UGC adds authenticity to marketing efforts. Featuring real customers enjoying your product turns social proof into genuine influence.
In fact, 84% of customers trust brands more when they see UGC on social media. That trust grows even stronger among younger consumers, with 65% of people aged 18-44 saying they trust brands more when they reshare their personal content.
But here’s the challenge: Getting customers to create and share UGC isn’t always easy. Many shoppers may love your product but won’t automatically think to tag your brand or share their experience online.
That’s where QR codes come in. For CPG brands, they remove roadblocks by giving customers an instant way to participate in UGC campaigns. Instead of hoping someone tags your brand, you can guide engagement with a simple scan.
Add a social media QR code to product packaging: Customers can scan to leave reviews, post unboxing videos, or share photos.
Include QR codes in-store: Encourage shoppers to tag your brand in posts when they find your products on shelves.
Launch a UGC challenge via email: A QR code can take users straight to a hashtag page or submission form.
By making UGC participation as simple as scanning a code, CPG brands can turn happy customers into brand advocates — helping build trust, engagement, and long-term loyalty.
Level up your influencer campaigns
Influencer campaigns are the third pillar of a CPG social media strategy. First, you have your own brand profile and posts. Then, there's UGC from customers, who provide each other with social proof. Finally, influencers set trends, introduce new products, and drive brand awareness with your target audience.
Influencers are especially important for beauty, food, and beverage products. Most consumers follow influencers to learn from them, whether it's a new eyeshadow technique or an unmissable brownie recipe. But many also follow influencers to discover new brands, meaning they already have an engaged audience primed for your products.
There are countless ways for influencers to promote your brand — through product reviews, tutorials, or behind-the-scenes content. And, just like UGC, you can use QR codes to make the process even more seamless.
With influencer content, it's essential to connect their audience with your own. Let's take a look at some ways to use QR codes in influencer campaigns.
Introduce your audience to social media partners
Some brand marketers see influencer marketing as a one-way strategy — influencers drive their followers to your brand’s social media, and that's it. Successful influencer campaigns don’t just send traffic one way — they build connections. Brands can strengthen engagement by introducing their audience to influencers, creating a real sense of community.
QR codes make this easy. Adding codes to emails, in-store signage, and social media posts can direct your followers to influencer content, helping boost engagement and strengthen brand-influencer collaborations. You can use codes to announce new partnerships, promote creator-led content, or highlight standout posts that deserve a permanent place in your brand’s story.
Once you've introduced a new creator, your audience can check out their profile, engage with their content, and build trust in the partnership. The more familiar consumers become with an influencer, the more likely they are to see their recommendations as authentic — strengthening both the creator’s credibility and your brand’s impact.
Share exclusive coupons to drive sales
Once your influencer campaign has an engaged audience, the next step is increasing CPG sales. QR codes give influencers an easy way to share exclusive coupons or discount codes with their followers, encouraging them to take action.
For example, an influencer could share a referral QR code that offers a discount on a product they just reviewed. The added incentive increases the likelihood of purchase, and because codes are easy to screenshot or share, followers can pass the deal along — expanding your campaign’s organic reach.
On the backend, QR code tracking helps brands measure success by revealing which creators and content drive the most conversions. With these insights, you can refine your influencer partnerships and optimize future campaigns to maximize sales.
Building brand loyalty through social engagement
QR codes help CPG companies turn social engagement into lasting customer loyalty. They make it effortless for consumers to connect, follow, and explore brands while providing valuable data to refine future strategies.
Loyalty isn’t just about repeat purchases — it’s about seamless, memorable interactions that keep customers coming back. Whether boosting visibility, tracking interactions, or rewarding loyal followers, QR codes offer a cost-effective way to strengthen customer relationships and encourage brand advocacy.
Hummingbirds makes it easy to connect with hyperlocal creators and engaged communities across the U.S. — people who love discovering new consumer goods, sharing authentic experiences, and influencing purchase decisions through genuine recommendations.
See how geo-targeted influencers can drive CPG sales — connecting your brand with the right people, in the right places, at the right time.