When generating a Google Review QR code, you'll often come across two options: static and dynamic. Most businesses don't know the difference and end up choosing the wrong type. Here's a clear breakdown to help you decide.
What is a Static QR Code?
A static QR code has the destination URL permanently encoded into the pattern itself. Once printed, the code cannot be changed. If your Google review link ever changes (for example, if you move to a new location and get a new Google Business Profile), you would need to generate and reprint an entirely new QR code. Static codes are simpler, completely free, and work perfectly well for most small businesses.
What is a Dynamic QR Code?
A dynamic QR code works through a redirect: the code points to a short URL, and that short URL redirects to your Google review page. The visual pattern of the code stays the same, but you can change the destination URL at any time from a dashboard without reprinting. Dynamic codes also allow scan tracking — you can see how many times the code was scanned, from which devices, and at what times of day.
Which One Should You Choose?
For most local businesses — restaurants, salons, clinics, and retail shops — a static QR code is the smarter choice. It's free, permanent, has no monthly fees, and sends customers directly to Google with no intermediate redirect that could slow things down. If your Google Business Profile is established and stable, there's no reason to pay for a dynamic code.
Dynamic codes make sense if you run multiple locations and want centralized scan analytics, or if you're running a time-limited campaign and want to redirect the QR code to a different page later (like a seasonal promotion). For long-term, permanent review collection, static wins on simplicity and cost.
The Scan Reliability Factor
Static QR codes encode data directly and are generally more reliable in poor lighting or when the print quality is less than perfect, because there's no dependency on a third-party redirect server. A dynamic QR code relies on the shortlink service being live — if that service goes down (even temporarily), your code will fail to work.
Our Recommendation
Start with a free static QR code for Google Reviews. It requires no account on a QR platform, never expires, and directs customers to Google with zero friction. If you grow to multiple locations and need scan-level analytics across all of them, consider upgrading to a dynamic solution at that point.