====== Flash ======

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===== Definition =====

**Flash** is a file format used to program and display multimedia and interactive content. There are many possible applications for flash (e.g. interactive menus or implementing games and videos on a [[webpage|page]]). Flash doesn’t only display multimedia content but can also process user interactions through mouse, keyboard and camera.

Flash uses //SWF// (**S**hock**w**ave **F**lash) files that need the free Adobe Flash plug-in to be displayed.

Flash is probably best known because of its use for displaying videos on YouTube. But now there’s another free alternative to display videos: HTML5.

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===== Importance for SEO =====

Google can index Flash content but this isn’t the case with all search engines. Google itself recommends not to overuse Flash and use it primarily for decorative purposes.[([[https://support.google.com/webmasters/answer/72746#1|Google: Flash and other Rich Media Files]])]
You should keep in mind that Flash requires a plug-in to be displayed. This means that users with old browsers or Apple devices can’t see that content.

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