Ask.com, the search engine and question-and-answer service previously known as Ask Jeeves, has ceased operations.
Ask Jeeves debuted in 1996 and was notable for its natural language question-answering ability, serving as a forerunner to modern AI chatbots. However, throughout its 30-year existence, it was largely eclipsed by other search platforms, particularly Google.
Holding company IAC acquired Ask Jeeves in 2005, promptly removed “Jeeves” from its name, and by 2010 had reduced its search functionality to concentrate on Q&A. During the same year, IAC Chairman Barry Diller remarked at TechCrunch Disrupt that Ask.com was not competitive with Google and lacked value within IAC’s stock.
A statement on the Ask.com website now declares, “As IAC continues to sharpen its focus, we have made the decision to discontinue our search business, which includes Ask.com. After 25 years of answering the world’s questions, Ask.com officially closed on May 1, 2026.”
Despite this, the website maintains, “Jeeves’ spirit endures.”
