Facebook switches video from Flash to HTML5

From now on Facebook will only use HTML5 for video and will stop using Adobe Flash. In doing so, the social network is following the trend of no longer using the security-plagued Flash.

In a blog post, Facebook developer Daniel Baulig explains why the switch to HTML5 was chosen. He points out that in this way developments can take place faster and the content offering can be scaled better. In recent times, Facebook has tried as much as possible to get the bugs out of its html5 video player and improve its performance; the player did not work equally well on all browsers and operating systems.

According to Facebook, the introduction of the HTML5 video player has made videos play faster and has a positive impact on users; they like more videos and leave more comments on videos served with the html5 player, compared to the flash version.

Because the developers are now satisfied with the performance of the HTML5 video player, the test phase has come to an end since Friday. As a result, all videos on the Facebook network are now played with HTML5. Flash therefore no longer has a place on the social network. Facebook is thus following in the footsteps of several companies that have renounced Adobe’s technology. The latter also seems to see nothing in Flash anymore, and states that HTML5 is the future for web content.

Although video is being switched to HTML5, games on Facebook will continue to use Flash. To overcome any security problems in the future, we are working with Adobe, according to Facebook.