Ask.com 'will not abandon search'

7th March 2008

Claims that Ask.com is to give up its search service to become a female-geared information resource have been rejected by the firm.

Reports this week have suggested that the site - formerly known as Ask Jeeves - is to move away from the Google-monopolised world of search.

Site representative Nicholas Graham said that the company is intending to hone its demographic targeting, but will not abandon search entirely.

"We recognise that we can't be all things to all people, so we're focusing on our core group of users. We want to build up the kinds of answers those users are looking for, while at the same time remain a strong search site," Mr Graham said.

He explained that a large part of the site's core audience is women, who access its services for health, reference and entertainment information.

Founded in California in 1996, Ask.com emerged from its PG Wodehouse-inspired initial incarnation a decade later.