[HN Gopher] Show HN: Codala, a social network built on scanning ...
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       Show HN: Codala, a social network built on scanning barcodes
        
       Hi HN. I poured months into making a mobile app called Codala, but
       sadly, it's getting practically zero downloads. I have no marketing
       budget at all.  I'm starting to question if the app is just bad,
       but the core idea feels solid to me: you scan any QR code or
       barcode, and it opens up a space to chat, leave reviews, and
       discuss that specific product or place.  I know the app needs users
       leaving comments to feel alive, but it's been 3 weeks and things
       are dead quiet. If you want to take a look, I'm totally open to any
       feedback or honesty.  It's only available on Google Play for now
        
       Author : hsynkrkye
       Score  : 16 points
       Date   : 2026-03-18 15:17 UTC (4 days ago)
        
 (HTM) web link (play.google.com)
 (TXT) w3m dump (play.google.com)
        
       | Daviey wrote:
       | Slashdot/Reddit/Facebook etc all build communities, when they get
       | too large they splinter until they become increasingly specific.
       | You've done the opposite. I think you are going to need to group
       | common products, then gradually break it out. ie, food -> deserts
       | -> cakes -> chocolate cake -> chocolate cake from <shop> etc
        
       | bossyTeacher wrote:
       | It's only been 10 days. What marketing activities have you
       | undertaken so far?
       | 
       | You can't just publish an app and expect users. Those days are
       | long over.
        
         | jsunderland323 wrote:
         | It's amazing to think that was ever a thing. I remember
         | actively scanning the App Store for things to add to my phone.
         | How times have changed.
        
         | nickphx wrote:
         | Those days never existed.
        
       | Imustaskforhelp wrote:
       | Hello, I suggest on having it available via the web version in
       | the future as well and if you are open to it, then open sourcing
       | it as well.
       | 
       | This can do some wonders for a review app.
       | 
       | Books also have bar-code so it can also work as something like
       | scan the book's barcode and then review the book or find
       | community which talks about the book (I am imagining then an
       | discord/telegram/whatsapp like interface where people can chat
       | too)
       | 
       | So we scan bar code of a book, then we can join a channel where
       | people can just talk live and make connections from the book.
       | 
       | This will definitely have people who are fed up of social media
       | as-is and want something more niche but unique/authentic so its
       | kind of good on that ground!
       | 
       | A bit tangential but actually I have a domain which I bought
       | called k4qr.com, you mention that qr codes also work, so perhaps
       | you can rename the app as Kodala (with a K) and I am happy
       | donating my domain to you as well for your project, let me know!
       | (funny story but I was actually wondering myself when I had
       | bought that domain if I should do something qr related with that
       | :-] )
       | 
       | Actually another thing but also allow text as input too for web
       | related things for example. I am imagining what I might want to
       | use your product for example.
       | 
       | So I go to your website and just write something say game of
       | thrones and it can show some books or tv show qr code which
       | anybody has scanned and I can click on any of that too and then I
       | can land in their social media and talk about game of thrones
       | 
       | Now you can also do it for something niche with qr codes, perhaps
       | have an optional field, tags etc. that people can enter into qr
       | codes when they first scan it so that people can search them
       | 
       | Just a few suggestions that I have, hope any of them might help
       | you in a meaningful way.
       | 
       | Have a nice day.
        
       | kej wrote:
       | I think some small adjustments could reduce friction to new
       | users. Let people scan and read comments anonymously, group
       | similar product discussions together until volume increases, and
       | look up UPCs instead of asking people to enter what they just
       | scanned.
        
       | zihotki wrote:
       | Once, or even if it gets some adoption, it will be filled in with
       | ai-generated crap or abused in other ways directly via api.
       | 
       | That's for later, now you need to answer who is your audience is
       | and why the target audience has to adopt this app.
        
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       (page generated 2026-03-22 23:00 UTC)