Ask Jeeves (ASKJ) 10-K 2003 FY Annual report

EXHIBIT 23.1

CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

     We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements on Forms S-8 pertaining to the 1996 Equity Incentive Plan, the 1998-A Direct Hit Stock Plan and the 1999 Non-Officer Equity Incentive Plan (No. 333-33694), the 1999 Equity Incentive Plan, and the 1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (No. 333-88435), the 1999 Equity Incentive Plan, as Amended through May 25, 2000 and the 1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as Amended through May 25, 2000 (No. 333-97405), the Net Effect Systems, Inc. 1997 Stock Plan (No. 333-95687), the 1999 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended through May 25, 2000, the 1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as amended through May 25, 2000, and the 1999 Non-Qualified Equity Incentive Plan, as amended through January 1, 2001 (No. 333-73400), and the 1999 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended, and the 1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as amended (No. 333-105271), and the Registration Statement on Form S-3 pertaining to resale of the Zero Coupon Convertible Subordinated Notes (No. 333-108932), and in each of the related Prospectuses of Ask Jeeves, Inc. of our report dated January 23, 2004, except for the fourth paragraph of Note 14, as to which the date is February 27, 2004, with respect to the consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule of Ask Jeeves, Inc. included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

/s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP

Walnut Creek, California

February 27, 2004