Ask.com, Formerly Ask Jeeves, Shuts Down Search Business
Quick Look
- Ask.com, the search engine formerly known as Ask Jeeves, has officially ceased operations on May 1, 2026.
- The closure marks the end of the company's 25-year search business as its owner, InterActiveCorp, refocuses its strategy.
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Why It Matters
Ask.com, formerly known as Ask Jeeves, has shut down its search business after 25 years. The decision was made by its owner, InterActiveCorp, as part of a strategic refocusing. The closure was effective May 1, 2026.
Ask.com, the search engine previously known for its butler mascot named Jeeves, has officially shut down.
While Ask Jeeves was rebranded to Ask.com in 2006 by its new owner at the time, InterActiveCorp, this latest closure puts an end to the entirety of the company's search business.
"As IAC continues to sharpen its focus, we have made the decision to discontinue our search business, which includes Ask.com," the statement on the website reads. "After 25 years of answering the world's questions, Ask.com officially closed on May 1, 2026."
The statement ended by thanking its millions of users, and saying, "Jeeves' spirit endures." As sad as it is to see a relic of the early Internet days fade into obscurity, we still have Ask Jeeves to thank for why some users still punch in full questions when querying Google. On top of that, Jeeves was built to provide detailed answers in natural language, which could have arguably acted as a precursor to today's AI chatbots like ChatGPT.
