Ask Jeeves buys Direct Hit

January 2000

Ask Jeeves, the search directory/metasearch engine that let you use natural English when searching, will buy Direct Hit for $506 million. "What is Direct Hit?", you may ask, as it is not one of the best known search services. Still, Direct Hit is known for its "popularity engine", a search engine that sorts the search results according to how many people have visited the various sites. You may search Direct Hit by visiting their own site, but the engine is also used by companies like Infospace.com and About.com. According to Direct Hit, the popularity-based search technology will be integrated into the Ask Jeeves Corporate Service as well as the Ask Jeeves search site and Ask Jeeves for Kids.

• CNET: Ask Jeeves to acquire Direct Hit
• Direct Hit on the merger
• Ask Jeeves
• Ask Jeeves for Kids
• Direct Hit