Ask.com, one of the internet’s earliest  search engine  competitors, has shut down its search business after nearly 30 years, marking the latest contraction in a market dominated by a handful of major players. Parent company IAC said the move reflects a broader strategic shift away from legacy search operations. “As IAC continues to sharpen its focus, we have made the decision to discontinue our search business, which includes Ask.com,” the company said in a notice posted on its website. “After 25 years of answering the world’s questions, Ask.com officially closed on May 1, 2026.” The shutdown underscores how the once-crowded search industry has consolidated over time, leaving smaller or legacy platforms unable to compete at scale. The message thanks users and employees and concludes: “Jeeves’ spirit endures.” Ask.com was founded in 1996 and launched in 1997 as Ask Jeeves, featuring a butler mascot and a question-based search format that allowed users to enter queries in plain language.…