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Twitter takes a page out of Snapchat’s playbook with the launch of profile QR codes

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While it’s unlikely to be the key strategic move that secures Twitter millions of new, much-needed users, the app’s developers clearly see the humble QR code as a necessary addition in its ongoing quest to build the perfect social media service.

That’s right, folks, Twitter is getting its own Snapchat-like QR codes – complete with a profile pic in the center – to help you promote your own account and make it even easier to start following other users. Twitter’s Brittany Forks announced the new feature on Wednesday:

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Currently rolling out for iOS and Android, iPhone users can grab their unique code by tapping the gear icon in the app and selecting “QR code” from the drop-down list. With your code on the screen, simply tap the arrow top right to bring up more options, including “save photo” as a first step to replacing your current Twitter profile shot, “tweet photo” to send it to your followers, or “share” via another service such as a messaging app or email.

When you tap the QR code button on the drop-down list, you’ll also see a “QR scanner” button on the screen, which with a single tap opens your camera so you can scan another user’s code. When you do that, that user’s profile will appear on the display and you’ll be asked to confirm that you want to follow them.

On Android, you can find the functionality via the slide-out menu on the left side of the display or by tapping on the ellipsis top right on your profile page.

Once you have your own Twitter QR code, you can stick it anywhere you like, including not only on your Twitter page but also on business cards or other physical documents if you so wish.

This latest move is one of many that Twitter hopes will help to boost user growth for the struggling microblogging service. It currently has 317 million monthly active users, though its rate of growth no longer comes close to that enjoyed by rival social media services such as Instagram and Snapchat.

The company has been grappling with a slew of issues in recent times, including how to deal with abuse on the network, a troubling problem that has driven a number of current users away while deterring new ones from joining. This week it rolled out a “muted words” filter as part of ongoing measures to protect users from abusive tweets.

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