Create a Custom Apple Music QR Code to Amplify Audio Content Promotion

Apple Music is one of the biggest music streaming services, with over 15% of the market share.

If you’re an artist or an audio content creator, Apple Music is worth tapping into to build a larger following. 

However, you might experience tough competition, with over 100k songs regularly released on Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon Music, etc.  

Therefore, discoverability becomes a critical determinant of your success. 

An Apple Music QR Code is a powerful solution for musicians and podcasters trying to attract more listeners, increase followers, and reach a wider audience. 

Here is why:

1. Scanning a QR Code takes seconds, making them convenient touchpoints to access your songs, albums, or podcast episodes.
2. You can place QR Codes on both physical and digital channels. This lets you initiate a frictionless omnichannel experience around your Apple Music content.

In addition to the above benefits, with Uniqode, you’ll also have access to features like QR Code customization, tracking, top-notch security, etc., all of which can enhance your audio content campaign. 

Continue reading to discover the benefits of a custom Apple Music QR Code generator, why it is better than Apple Music’s static QR Code, and how you use it to enhance your discoverability and content promotions.

Table of contents

1. What is an Apple Music QR Code? 
2. Static vs. dynamic QR Codes: What’s the difference, and which one should you use?
3. 5 key benefits of using a dynamic Apple Music QR Code
4. How to create a dynamic QR Code using a custom Apple Music QR Code generator
5. Who can benefit from a custom Apple Music QR Code generator
6. Frequently asked questions

What is an Apple Music QR Code? 

An Apple Music QR Code is a QR Code that, upon scanning, leads to the content available on Apple Music. 

You can set up QR Codes to redirect users to songs, podcasts, a personal playlist, or an album of your choice on Apple Music.

You can create Apple Music QR Code on Apple’s platform. However, Apple only supports static QR Codes, which have numerous limitations. 

Static vs. dynamic QR Codes: What’s the difference, and which one should you use?

One way to generate a QR Code for Apple Music is via Apple’s marketing tools, where you can access a static QR Code generator. 

However, static QR Codes can be restrictive when promoting your music. 

1. Once created, you cannot modify any aspect of your static QR Code.
2. There’s no way to track the performance of a static QR Code.
3. You cannot capture any data or retarget potential leads.
4. Static QR Codes have long and complicated URLs, and take longer time to scan.

Dynamic QR Codes, on the other hand, provide numerous benefits. They are editable, trackable, and offer a better user experience. 

A free static QR Code will work if you create one for one-time, casual sharing. 

However, investing in a dynamic QR Code is best if you want to do more than share music and add the Apple Music QR Code to your marketing collateral. 

5 reasons why you should use a custom Apple Music QR Code

While static QR Codes are free and easy to use, dynamic QR Codes work best for music sharing and promotions on Apple Music. 

Here’s our reasoning: 

#1 Easily edit the QR Code destination

Unlike its static counterpart, you can effortlessly redirect users to a new destination using a dynamic QR Code. 

For instance, if you need to redirect users to a different song or album, you can conveniently do so. 

With dynamic QR Codes, your destination changes as per your choice, but the QR Codes remain the same on your collaterals. This versatility helps you cut down on printing costs.

Many singers and musicians release updated and new versions of their existing songs. A dynamic QR Code will be handy as it allows you to repurpose your QR Code campaigns. 

This not only saves time and effort but is also highly cost-effective.  

#2 Track data and monitor performance 

Music labels sometimes tap into print-based advertisements, such as magazine and out-of-home ads (OOH), to promote their artists. 

However, these traditional channels don’t have the means to track engagement or campaign performance.

With a dynamic QR Code created using a custom Apple Music QR Code generator, you can capture various engagement metrics from every scan.

QR Code tracking allows you to monitor the following:: 

1. Total and unique scans
2. Location of the person scanning the QR Code
3. Date and time of scan
4. The device used to scan

With this valuable data in hand, you can evaluate your target audience. 

If you want to delve deeper and hone in on end-user metrics, you can integrate the custom QR Code generator with Google Analytics. 

You can also find out who’s scanning your QR Codes, analyze user behavior, and optimize your marketing campaigns. 

#3 Generate personalized Apple Music QR Codes

Listeners are more likely to scan your Apple Music QR Code if it looks attractive or relevant to your brand. 

Data shows that brand consistency across platforms increases conversions by 23%. So maintaining consistency in your visuals can benefit your audio content promotion. 

With a custom QR Code generator, you can personalize various aspects of a QR Code. 

For instance, you can add a logo to your QR Code and change its shape, frame, CTA, and color—all based on your aesthetics. 

You can also add your album cover as the background image and customize the QR Code design to suit your brand. 

These customizations are not possible with Apple Music’s static QR Code maker.  The platform only provides you with 3 colors to choose from and the option to include the Apple Music logo. 

#4 – Win back your bounced audience 

QR Code scans signify high intent. When someone scans your Apple Music QR Code, it is likely that the audience is genuinely intrigued and wants to listen to your music. 

However, inadvertently or otherwise, only some follow through with their scans. If someone scans your QR Code but doesn’t click on the URL, that’s a bounce.

So how do you reach out to these potential listeners? The solution is QR Code retargeting. 

You can set up targeted ads via Facebook and Google for prospective audience groups. Artists trying to promote a brand new song or album can easily convert listeners into buying your music with a quick nudge.

How to create dynamic QR Codes using a custom Apple Music QR Code generator

Apple’s marketing tools don’t let you create dynamic QR Codes, only static ones. So if you plan to create them, you’ll need to use a custom QR Code generator for Apple Music.

Here’s how to use Uniqode’s QR Code generator to create a safe and shareable QR Code for your Apple Music content:

Step 1: Log in to Uniqode and click on ‘+Create QR Code’

If you don’t have an account, sign-up for Uniqode’s free 14-day trial.

Step 2: Choose the ‘Website QR Code’ campaign option

Step 3: Copy the URL of your Apple Music content

Go to Apple Music on your desktop browser or open the smartphone app to find the content you wish to share. 

You can get a link to any Apple Music content, whether it is a song, artist, album, or playlist. 

Each piece of content on the Apple Music platform comes with a three-dot icon you can tap or click. These three-dot icons open a sub-menu where you can access the ‘Share’ function. Click on ‘Share’ and choose ‘Copy Link.’

Step 4: Set up the campaign

Go back to the dashboard and paste your Apple Music URL in the space provided. 

Click ‘Next.’

Step 5: Design your Apple Music QR Code

Now is your chance to tailor the look and feel of your QR Codes per your unique theme as a creator. 

Choose different shapes and patterns, add a logo, and tweak your QR Code color. You can also customize your QR Code frame and include a call to action.

Who can benefit from an Apple Music QR Code generator?

For audio content creators—individuals or labels—better discoverability means higher imprints on content. Here are some use cases of Apple Music QR Codes:

#1 Creators looking to grow their fanbase

QR Codes are doors to digital experiences, making them excellent marketing tools. Individual creators can leverage them to promote Apple Music content across high-traffic touchpoints.

Music advertisements often utilize marketing mediums, such as billboards, posters, and murals—all of which can be digital or physical. Adding a QR Code to these mediums allows you to::

1. Introduce a frictionless touchpoint to your audience, who can scan and take action 
2. Lay down attribution tracking to monitor individual ad performance

For instance, let’s look at a concert scenario. It’s common to find themed posters around a concert venue. You can embed a QR Code on each of these themed posters. .

Upon scanning, the QR Codes will direct users to the content you want to promote (e.g., a newly-released single on Apple Music).  

These posters will also have attribution tracking since each dynamic QR Code can capture first-party engagement data.

#2 Music labels and studios trying to promote music 

Music streaming accounted for over 83% of the total music revenue in the U.S. in 2021. 

Producers and music studios can leverage QR Codes to increase music streams, tapping into this massive source of revenue. 

For instance, you can pair an Apple Music QR Code with your PR and marketing collaterals and enhance their impact significantly. This practice improves music streams while also saving print-based collateral costs. 

Moreover, a QR Code fits in seamlessly with any promotional materials. For instance, artists can display the Apple Music QR Code with music promos on a live TV show. Viewers can scan this QR Code and listen to music instantly. 

#3 Casual listeners who like to share music

Audio QR Codes aren’t just for promotions. 

Everyday listeners can also use audio QR Codes to share their favorite content from any streaming platform. 

Spotify users, for instance, share content all the time via Spotify Codes—a QR-like scannable tag. Some use custom-made Spotify QR Codes to leverage advanced customizations. 

Apple Music doesn’t have something as dedicated as Spotify Codes. But the platform still allows link-sharing for any of its published content. 

You can embed these links in a custom QR Code and share it across multiple channels. 

Leverage Apple Music QR Code generator to share music and promote your audio content

As you have learned, publishing music on a streaming platform is only the first step toward content discoverability.

If you wish more people could access your work, you must employ an innovative, cost-effective solution, such as dynamic QR Codes. 

Uniqode’s QR Code generator can help you create safe, secure, and trackable Apple Music QR Codes. 

Consistently rated as the best QR Code generator, the platform provides access to various functionalities like integrations, analytics, customizations, and more. 

In addition, it offers enterprise-grade security features and is the first platform to achieve SOC 2® Type-2 compliance. 

Improve your Apple Music streaming for your followers today. Gather more followers and sell more music.

You can also check out Uniqode’s QR Code generator pricing. 

Frequently asked questions

#1 How do I scan QR codes for free with Apple Music?

You can use your smartphone camera to scan QR Codes for free.

The latest mobile operating systems (Android or iOS) have a QR Code reader natively integrated with the camera app. Just fire the camera app and point it at the QR Code you want to scan. 

Smartphones with outdated OS (such as iOS 12 and below; Android 5.0 Lollipop and below) might not have a built-in QR Code scanner. 

But you can always download a third-party QR Code scanner app, many of which are available on both major app stores. 

#2 Does Apple Music allow you to create QR codes like Spotify Codes? 

Apple Music does not offer a service similar to Spotify Codes. You can, however, make a static QR Code using the Apple Services Marketing Tools. 

Here’s how to use the built-in Apple Music QR Code generator: 

1. Go to the Apple Services Marketing Tools page. 
2. Choose Apple Music from the selection of Apple apps and services.
3. Type the name of the song, artist, or album you’d like to link to your QR Code.
4. Click on the specific option to access its available marketing tools.
5. Scroll down until you see the QR Code section.
6. You can add the Apple Music icon and change your QR Code’s color.
7. Tap Click to Generate QR Code. Once your QR Code is ready, click on Download QR Code. 

If you require more flexibility for a complex audio content project, using a custom and dynamic QR Code solution is best. 

Dynamic QR Codes are superior to static QR Codes, with unlimited edits and insightful analytics being their biggest advantage. 

#3 How to make a QR Code for Apple Music playlist? 

You can make a QR Code for Apple Music Playlist using a QR Code generator. Follow the simple steps below: 

1. Choose the playlist you want listeners to land on upon scanning the QR Code
2. Locate the meatball menu (three horizontal dots) and expand it. 
3. Locate the share option and select copy link from the sub-menu. 

Once the link is copied, go ahead and set up the campaign from the Uniqode dashboard.

• Author Details

Author Details

Ektha S

Senior Content Marketer , Uniqode

Ektha is a QR code expert with years of research and analysis into the evolution of QR codes. Having written over 70 in-depth articles on QR technology, she has developed a comprehensive understanding of how QR codes are transforming industries. Her insights, including The State of QR Report, have been featured in leading publications. With a passion for simplifying complex topics and providing actionable strategies, Ektha helps businesses leverage QR codes to enhance their ‘phygital’ connections. 

ektha.s@uniqode.com