Ask.com, the search engine that once had a butler and now has a closure notice, has officially shut down. The service, originally launched as Ask Jeeves back in 1996, was arguably the internet’s first attempt at a chatbot - before we all realized we’d rather just type two words into Google.
For most of its three-decade run, Ask.com lived in Google’s shadow, which is a bit like being the world's second-best teleportation service. IAC bought the company in 2005, fired Jeeves from the name by 2006, and by 2010 had pivoted from search to Q&A - a move that felt less like innovation and more like admitting defeat. IAC Chairman Barry Diller told TechCrunch Disrupt in 2010 that Ask.com “was not competitive with Google” and wasn’t even valued in IAC’s stock. Harsh but accurate.
A message on the site now reads: “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 insists, “Jeeves’ spirit endures.” That’s nice, but Jeeves’s spirit won’t be answering any more questions.