Google Search Now Warns iOS Users When Websites Use Flash

Google has added a new feature to their search results that warns iOS users when a site that is listed in the results uses Adobe Flash. For the three people who don’t know this, The iPhone, (and its siblings the iPad and iPod touch), have never supported Flash.

In search results, sites that primarily use Flash for their features are clearly marked by Google with the warning: “Uses Flash. May not work on your device.” (As seen above.)

Google Webmaster Central Blog:

A common annoyance for web users is when websites require browser technologies that are not supported by their device. When users access such pages, they may see nothing but a blank space or miss out a large portion of the page’s contents.

Starting today, we will indicate to searchers when our algorithms detect pages that may not work on their devices. 

Google recommends that sites use HTML5, and provides interested developers with both Web Fundamentals, and a Web Starter Kit explaining the process.

Apple was roundly criticized for the iPhone’s lack of support for Flash when it was first released. However, in the years following, Flash has begun to fade, with more mobile-friendly solutions taking its place.

(Via MacRumors)

Chris Hauk

Chris is a Senior Editor at Mactrast. He lives somewhere in the deep Southern part of America, and yes, he has to pump in both sunshine and the Internet.