Need to ask Jeeves something? Sorry, it’s too late

One of the Internet’s longest-lasting characters, the business-friendly mascot of Ask Jeeves, and its associated search engine Ask.com, no longer exists. On May 1, the service’s owner, IAC, discontinued the W Post a goodbye on Ask For the millions who remember its rise in the dot-com era. The service was launched in June 1997, but it was It was rebranded from Ask Jeeves to Ask.com In 2006 after it was acquired by IAC.

“As IAC continues to increase its focus, we have made the decision to discontinue our search business, which includes Ask.com,” the website said. “After 25 years of answering the world’s questions, Ask.com will officially shut down on May 1, 2026.”

“Jeeves’ spirit lives on,” the web page copy concludes.

For years, she was Jeeves’ character Portrayed by dozens of actors At trade shows, A Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade character several years, and even appeared in Super Bowl commercials in 1999.

Jeeves was, in his time, the embodiment of a helpful internet guide, predating the chatbots that now occupy today’s anthropomorphic online help space. In 2008, Oprah appointed Ask.com as Jeeves’ successor. As her favorite search engine.

IAC has not said whether it will revive the character or repurpose him for a new generation. A company representative did not immediately respond to a request for comment.