Google will stop accepting Flash ads from June 30th

Google’s ad network will stop showing Flash ads from January 2, 2017. As of June 30 this year, it will no longer be possible to offer Flash banners with AdWords and DoubleClick. Animated ads are still possible, but must use HTML5.

It has been known for some time that Google will stop Flash ads, but now the final dates have been announced by the AdWords team at Google+. Ongoing banner campaigns using Flash can be viewed until January 2, 2017. As of that date, Google will no longer show Flash banners through its Display Network and DoubleClick.

Google has been trying to get rid of Flash for some time now. Since early 2015, Google has been offering advertisers the option to automatically convert their Flash ads to HTML5. Also, since September last year, the Chrome browser no longer automatically shows all moving Flash content.

Flash has been repeatedly criticized for its many critical security vulnerabilities. Adobe, the maker of Flash, previously indicated that HTML5 is the future. The Flash Professional program was succeeded this week by Animate CC. It is still possible to create Flash files, but the emphasis is on HTML5.