It seems that Facebook’s still fairly mysterious decision to add the ability to generate QR codes to profiles or even that sum up status updates is starting to yield some interesting details.

Undue fondness for QR codes? That'd be us alright

While there’s still been not too much official detail coming out of Facebook, the folks at TechCrunch managed to get their hands on some sources “with knowledge of Facebook’s plans” who was, apparently, able to tell them that the QR codes are hoped to tie in to Facebook’s location-based options and a future version of its mobile applications. Interestingly enough, that opens up the options in one area that we’ve seen Facebook’s QR codes discussed already – advertising.

When Facebook initially pushed out the QR code boat, the general response was one of confusion, except from those forward thinking folks who immediately connected QR codes with a kind of science fiction advertising. Given the fact that a QR code can store up to 250 characters in a space that can relatively easily be read from a desktop icon, the ability to offer discounts or vouchers in relatively quick and easy fashion that forces users to engage with an advertisement in a very physical manner.

If nothing else, the popularity of location-based services and the suggestion that this is something Facebook could tie in neatly with the physicality of real-world businesses is something very interesting indeed, not only for businesses, but for Facebook and for its users. The idea of scavenger hunting QR codes for discounts is one that could see users engaging with companies in a very real and interesting way, and if Facebook is the platform that encourages that kind of interaction then it seems the social network would be well placed to profit from that.