Ask.com, aka Ask Jeeves, has officially shut down after nearly 30 years online

IAC has permanently discontinued Ask.com, officially closing the site as of May 1, 2026. A farewell message now appears on the Ask.com homepage, marking the end of a well-known web platform that served users for a quarter century. While IAC did not cite specific operational reasons, the closure is part of its effort to refocus business priorities.

Ask.com’s legacy began in 1996, when it was launched as Ask Jeeves by Garrett Gruener and David Warthen. Designed as an answer engine, it combined web search features with user-friendly question-and-answer capabilities. In 2006, the company retired the “Jeeves” branding and became Ask.com, developing its own search algorithms and web crawler to compete directly in the search engine market.

Following the rise of larger competitors in the late 2000s, Ask.com shifted gears. In 2010, it outsourced its core search technology and repositioned itself primarily as a Q&A site. This move reflected industry pressures and changing user habits. Despite these adaptations, the site has now ended all remaining services under the Ask.com brand.