What do I need to do?
Please migrate any existing Flash display ads to HTML5 by January 2, 2017, when Flash ads will stop serving. In May 2016 we announced that you would no longer be able to upload Flash display ads in AdWords by June 30, 2016 with tips on how to migrate.

If you have video ads built in Flash, they will not be affected at this time. You do not need to migrate these ads.

Where can I learn more?

• Help Center Article
• HTML5 Ad Examples in the API
• HTML5 Template Ads
• HTML5 Ad Specifications
• Ads API Client Libraries: Each of the client libraries has examples on how to add an HTML5 ad and how to upload a media bundle with the contents of the ad. Here are the examples for Java to get you started:
  • Add an HTML5 ad to an ad group
  • Upload an HTML5 zip file as a MediaBundle

Questions? Visit us on the AdWords API Forum or our Google+ page.
Nadine Sundquist, AdWords API Team

TL;DR: Swiffy will stop converting SWF files from 1st July, 2016.

Recently, we announced that we're transitioning all of our display ads to HTML5. As part of this transition, we're sunsetting our Swiffy Flash conversion service and support for the Swiffy Flash extension on July 1st 2016. After this date, you will no longer be able to use either to convert SWF files to HTML5. We will continue to serve the Swiffy runtimes, so any file you convert before the sunset date will continue to play.

Today more consumers are using the web in HTML5-compatible environments than Flash-compatible environments. In order to reach as large an audience as possible, we encourage everyone to transition to HTML5 authoring.

Developers who currently create Flash SWF files have several ways to switch to HTML5, including Adobe Animate and Google Web Designer. If you need to play an existing Flash SWF file in your browser alone, you may be able to use Mozilla's Shumway.

 - Danial Klimkin, on behalf of AdWords API Team.

What is changing?

Starting June 30, 2016, you will no longer be able to upload Flash display ads in AdWords. By January 2, 2017 existing Flash ads will no longer serve on the Google Display Network. In order for your ads to keep serving, you will need to migrate any existing Flash ads to HTML5. If you need help migrating, check out the Help Center Article on updating Flash ads to HTML5 ads.

If you have video ads built in Flash, they will not be affected at this time. You do not need to migrate these ads.

Where can I learn more?

• HTML5 Ad Examples in the API
• HTML5 Template Ads
• HTML5 Ad Specifications
• Ads API Client Libraries: Each of the client libraries has examples on how to add an HTML5 ad and how to upload a media bundle with the contents of the ad. Here are the examples for Java to get you started:
  • Add an HTML5 ad to an ad group
  • Upload an HTML5 zip file as a MediaBundle

Questions? Visit us on the AdWords API Forum or our Google+ page.

Nadine Sundquist, AdWords API Team

We are pleased to announce that the IMA SDK for HTML5 now supports VPAID Flash creatives. When Flash is available on the running platform, the SDK is able to play these creatives in addition to existing formats. This feature allows video publishers added flexibility in their adoption of the SDK as they can continue to accept advertiser VPAID Flash creatives using the HTML5 SDK.

As an example, take a look at a sample ad running in our Video Suite Inspector tool.

If you have any questions about these changes, feel free to contact us via the support forum.

 - Yury Pavlotsky, IMA SDK Team

Using FlashDevelop or Adobe Flash Builder and looking to get started with the IMA SDK? Now it's even easier with new downloads specifically for FlashDevelop and Flash Builder 4.7.

Check out our guide to getting started with the Flash IMA SDK with these IDEs.

Once you've gone through the guide and are up and running with a compiled .swf, what's next? Check out the Flash IMA SDK Quick Start Guide and Flash IMA SDK API Reference docs to learn more about the features of the Flash IMA SDK.

If you have any questions about the Flash IMA SDK let us know on the IMA SDK forum. Follow our Google+ page for other announcements and updates.

 - Bret McGowen, IMA SDK Team