Google Chrome Will Begin Blocking Flash in Favor of HTML5 The changes will begin with Chrome 53 this September.

By Brittany Vincent

This story originally appeared on Engadget

Twin Design | Shutterstock.com

Though it's been a long time coming and the writing's been on the wall for a while, Google Chrome is finally de-emphasizing Flash in favor of HTML5.

Come September, Google Chrome 53 will begin blocking Flash, such as the kind that loads "behind the scenes," as Google says, which can slow down casual web browsing. HTML5 is a lot less resource-heavy and when pages utilize it, it improves battery life, page loading and responsiveness across the web.

Following Chrome 53, in December Chrome 55 will go even further to make HTML5 the default browsing experience, excepting only sites with Flash-only support. You'll be given the option to enable Flash when you visit, so it won't change too much from the way you already browse the web. Last year, Chrome began blocking some Flash ads already, so you've likely already seen some of the effects trickling down during regular internet use if you use Chrome, after all.

What this means is you'll likely see a lot fewer hang-ups when using previously Flash-heavy sites, and fewer crashes to have to worry about -- that's the hope, anyway. It's part of a larger transition of the web to HTML5, and has been in the works for some time now.

Brittany Vincent has been covering video games and tech for over a decade for publications such as G4Maximum PCJoystiqComplexIGNGamesRadarPolygonKotakuMaximGameSpotShacknewsYahoo and more. She's also appeared as a speaker at video game conventions such as PAX East and has coordinated social media for companies like CNET and NBCUniversal. When she's not writing or gaming, she's coveting that gaudy Dreamcast backpack from the Segakawaii line. Someday.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Side Hustle

How to Build Endless Passive Income With This Simple Online Hustle

Autopilot stores aren't just income streams. They are passports to freedom, flexibility and finally working and living on your own terms.

Side Hustle

This 29-Year-Old's Side Hustle Brought People 'to the Dark Green Side.' It Made $10,000 Within 2 Days and Sees 6 Figures a Month.

Nikki Seaman began work on her business when the pandemic led to grocery store shutdowns.

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2025.

Business News

Here Are the 'Rules' If You Want to Be Rich, According to Barbara Corcoran

Real estate pioneer Barbara Corcoran says the most successful people she knows all have one thing in common.

Business News

JPMorgan Is Now Valued More Than Its 3 Largest Competitors Combined: 'We're Quite Cautious to Just Declare Victory'

JPMorgan is worth more than Citigroup, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo all put together.

Business News

She Was CEO of OpenAI for 2 Days. Now Her Secretive AI Startup Has Raised $12 Billion.

Mira Murati, founder and CEO of Thinking Machine Labs, worked at OpenAI as the chief technology officer for six years.