Ask.com, the question-and-answer platform formerly known as Ask Jeeves, has been shut down, bringing an end to one of the internet’s early attempts at conversational search. The service officially ceased operations on May 1, according to a notice published on its website.

In a statement, the platform said, “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.”

Launched in the 90s, Ask Jeeves distinguished itself by allowing users to ask questions in natural language, an approach that foreshadowed the interaction models now seen in modern artificial intelligence systems. While innovative at the time, the platform struggled to maintain relevance as competitors scaled rapidly.

The service was acquired in 2005 by IAC, which soon dropped the “Jeeves” branding. For much of its history, Ask.com operated in the shadow of Google, whose dominance in search reshaped user expectations and market dynamics.