The beloved search website Ask.com has ended its operations following 30 years of service, with users describing it as marking the conclusion of an era.

Ask Jeeves launched in 1996 as one of the earliest internet search platforms, arriving two years before Google entered the market in 1998.

Visitors to the site were greeted by the well-known butler character, affectionately named Jeeves.

The company changed its name from Ask Jeeves to Ask.com during February 2006.

Ask.com ceases operations after three decades

Following three decades of operation, Ask.com has now shut down, with the closure taking effect on May 1, 2026.

The company announced that every search engine eventually reaches its conclusion. As IAC concentrates its efforts, it decided to discontinue the search division, which encompasses Ask.com. After providing answers for 30 years, Ask.com officially ceased functioning on May 1, 2026. The statement expressed gratitude to the talented engineers, designers, and staff members who developed and maintained Ask over the years. The message also thanked the millions of users who sought information through the platform, acknowledging their curiosity, devotion, and confidence. The spirit of Jeeves lives on, according to the farewell.

Ask.com shut down on May 1, 2026. (Image: Ask.com)

Internet users are expressing sadness over Jeeves’ departure, calling it the conclusion of an era.

One commenter in the Reddit forum r/technology commented that Ask Jeeves represented such an original platform and wished it well in retirement. Another simply stated it marked the end of an era. A third observer noted the remarkable longevity of certain early internet companies despite becoming irrelevant many years prior, offering farewell to Jeeves. This individual mentioned that Ask Jeeves served as their introduction to searching the web and thanked the service for its contributions. Another fan protested that not Jeeves, questioning what would happen next, possibly referencing Alta Vista.