Weekly consumer searches for "QR Code" topic on Google in Canada 2018-2023
Google search behavior on the topic of QR codes in Canada peaked in October 2021, with interest in the topic generally being stable since. QR codes have different utilities, but in this context are generally associated with contactless (tap to pay) payments with smartphones or wearable devices. Around this time, Canada launched its COVID vaccine passport for travel, which used a QR code for scanning at airports and train stations. Domestic transaction figures for QR payments are difficult to find, making it difficult to separate whether the interest in the QR code topic stems from the coronavirus app or from a genuine interest in QR for, for example, payments. Most figures on the topic come from consumer surveys and focus on the share of respondents who used such a payment method or not.