Ask is the common name for the Ask.com search engine, which allows users to perform a search in the form of a question to find relevant results. Ask.com (originally Ask Jeeves) was started in 1996 by Garret Gruener and David Warthen. They felt that users approach a search by asking a question, rather than searching for a single word or several words. The site is popular with Internet users, despite competition from other search engines like Google, Bing, and Yahoo!.

Ask Toolbar

Many users are introduced to Ask through their Ask Toolbar that is added with many free add-ons like Java. If you leave the check box checked to install this Toolbar, it appears in your browser the next time it is opened. To uninstall the Ask Toolbar, remove it through Add/Remove programs in the Windows Control Panel.

In the above picture, the program gives a “Recommended Offer” to set Ask as the default search provider, which means the default search engine becomes Ask. Next, it wants to set Ask.com as your homepage and new tabs pages. Both check boxes are checked by default.

We always suggest that users watch for recommended or promotional offer prompts and always make sure to UNCHECK any boxes that want to change your default settings. If you want the Ask Toolbar or Ask.com as your homepage, you can easily change these settings down the road.

  • How to change my browser’s homepage.

Why does Ask always want to install on my computer?

One method of keeping software programs free, but allowing a developer to make some money from a program is to give offers like the Ask Toolbar. By including these offers in their programs, the developers are paid by the company.

Internet terms, Search Engine

  • Where can I ask a question on the Internet?