Understanding the “Edit URL” (Formerly “Fix Now”) Issue with Your QR Code Destination

Introduction

Novu.Link regularly checks that your customers have a satisfying experience when scanning your QR codes. To do that, Novu.Link periodically scans your destinations to make sure they are working as expected. When something goes wrong on your destination, Novu.Link will inform you via email and display a “Edit URL” message on your destination.

It’s important to note that even though this error message shows, your customers will continue to be redirected to the destination.

When does the “Edit URL” message show?

Whenever your destination leads to unexpected places, this message will show. The message indicates there is a problem with the destination, not with Novu.Link. The problems on the destination may include, but are not limited to:

• 404 errors: where the destination does not exist or has stopped existing.
• 500 errors: where the destination server has a problem and the content cannot be displayed by your website.
• 400 errors: where the destination server has could not understand the request because of invalid syntax.

When does the message NOT show?

Occasionally, our systems are unable to check your destination for proper functioning but that doesn’t necessarily mean that there is a problem with it. In these cases, the “Edit URL” message will not show. It is still worth testing your destinations regularly to ensure they work, as Novu.Link will not alert you if you have:

• 401 and 403 errors: where the destination might authentication for Novu.Link and others to visit
• 301 or 302 errors: where the destination redirects the user somewhere else
• Dangerous destination errors: when Novu.Link detects and disables a destination for being dangerous to people (phishing attempts, malware, or others), you will not be notified

How do I fix the message?

First, test that the destination is not working. Then based on your findings, you have two options.

If you are sure the problem no longer exists

You can ignore this message for up to two weeks. Novu.Link will check back every week or so to re-test your destination, and if all is well again, the message will disappear on its own.

If the problem still exists

• Attempt to fix the problem on your destination, if you control your destination
  • If you manage to fix the problem on the destination side, you can ignore the message on Novu.Link and it will disappear within a week or two; the next time Novu.Link checks your destination.
• Update where the destination is pointing to