Home / Technology / Ask.com Shuts Down After 30 Years
Ask.com Shuts Down After 30 Years
4 May
Summary
- Ask.com, an early conversational search engine, ceased operations on May 1, 2026.
- Founded in 1996 as Ask Jeeves, it allowed users to ask full questions.
- Parent company IAC decided to discontinue the search business to sharpen its focus.
After a 30-year run, Ask.com, an early player in conversational search, officially closed its digital doors on May 1, 2026. The website, which began its journey in 1996 as Ask Jeeves in Berkeley, allowed users to ask questions in natural language, a novel concept at the time. Its iconic mascot, the butler Jeeves, was integral to its early identity.
Acquired by InterActiveCorp (IAC) in 2006, Ask.com underwent significant changes, phasing out Jeeves and adopting a more conventional search engine appearance in 2007. The company experimented with human-powered answers in 2010, seeking to differentiate itself. However, these efforts were not enough to withstand market pressures.
The parent company, IAC, stated that the decision to close the search business, including Ask.com, was part of a strategy to sharpen its corporate focus. Ask.com joins other historical internet landmarks like AOL Dial-Up and Alta Vista in the annals of digital history.
