Ask Jeeves officially shut after 25 years

Ask Jeeves has officially been shut down “after 25 years”.

Ask Jeeves has officially shut down “after 25 years of answering the world’s questions”.

The online search pioneer has now disappeared after owner IAC made the tough decision as it looks to “sharpen its focus” on other areas.

Visitors heading to Ask.com are now met with a farewell message saying: “Every great search must come to an end.”

The post continues: “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.”

Ask Jeeves first launched back in 1997, based on the premise that users would type a natural-sounding query into the box, and the valet – named after P.G. Wodehouse’s iconic character – would provide an answer.

IAC also shared a heartfelt message “to the millions who asked”, as well as those who helped shape the search engine over the past couple of decades.

They added: “We are deeply grateful to the brilliant engineers, designers, and teams who built and supported Ask over the decades.

“And to you — the millions of users who turned to us for answers in a rapidly changing world — thank you for your endless curiosity, your loyalty, and your trust.

“Jeeves’ spirit endures.”