Ask.com
Ask on desktop as of June 3, 2011 | |
Type of site | Answer engine, e-magazine, newsbot |
|---|---|
| Available in | English |
| Founded | June 3, 1996 (as Ask Jeeves) |
| Owner | Ask Media Group |
| Parent | InterActiveCorp |
| URL | www |
| Commercial | Yes |
| Registration | Optional |
| Launched | June 1, 1997 |
| Current status | Online |
Ask.com (known originally as Ask Jeeves) is an answer engine, e-magazine, and former web search engine, operated by Ask Media Group. It was conceptualized and developed in 1996 by Garrett Gruener and David Warthen, based in Berkeley, California.
The original software was designed and implemented by Gary Chevsky. Warthen, Chevsky and Justin Grant then led the GUI development team, leading to the initial launch under the brand name of AskJeeves.com.
In 2006, the "Jeeves" name was discontinued, and it became the Ask.com web search engine, which had its own webcrawler and algorithm.
In late 2010, faced with insurmountable competition from larger search engines, the company outsourced its web search technology, and revived its function as a question and answer site.
Three venture capital companies, Highland Capital Partners, Institutional Venture Partners, and The RODA Group were early investors.
Ask.com is currently owned and operated by major U.S. media company InterActiveCorp (IAC), which acquired the Ask Media Group in 2005.