Ask unveils Q&A database

Ask.com has launched a new Q&A database with 300 million answers to common questions.

The answers can be accessed through the company's search service and utilises semantic technology to find relevant results.

Ask said it was designed to give "the best answer, the first time, every time through streamlined, localised, concise results".

Cesar Mascaraque, managing director of Ask Jeeves Europe, said: "This new Q&A database builds on our strategy to provide a unique and differentiated search experience in the UK.

"In recent months we have focused hard on improving the areas of the site we know our users care most about – the speed, the look, and the relevancy of the search results. I strongly believe Ask Jeeves is best placed to lead the industry in semantic search technology.

Ask.com recently re-introduced Jeeves in the UK after a three-year break.

Recent developments in search have included the launch of several new search engines including Wolfram Alpha, Bing and Hulbee, as well as new semantic developments such as Google Squared.

Google remains the largest player in the search market with a 81.5 per cent share globally. Ask has just under one per cent.