TechCrunch reports Google has acquired Aardvark, a help engine, for $50 million.

Aardvark allows you to ask questions, which then pushed the question out to a network of people who may be able to answer them. The answers are then sent back to you via instant message, email or even Twitter.

Aardvark was created by former Googlers and hasn’t taken on the traction that I expected early on.

Google has not yet confirmed the acquisition.

Postscript: Google sent me a statement confirming the acquisition. They said:

We have signed a definitive agreement to acquire Aardvark, but we don’t have any additional details to share right now.

Postscript #2: Google posted a blog entry, as did Vark today on this deal. Let me quote the Vark post:

As a first step, effective immediately, Aardvark will be available through Google Labs. Aardvark will remain fully operational and completely free, providing quick, helpful answers to all of your questions. You can sign up here.

As we move forward, we will continue working on Aardvark : improving its speed and quality, building exciting new features, responding to your feedback, and providing the highest level of support. Our top priority has been, and remains, providing a high-quality user experience.

Related Topics: Google: Acquisitions | Google: Business Issues | Top News

About The Author: Barry Schwartz is Search Engine Land's News Editor and owns RustyBrick, a NY based web consulting firm. He also runs Search Engine Roundtable, a popular search blog on very advanced SEM topics. Barry's personal blog is named Cartoon Barry and he can be followed on Twitter here. For more background information on Barry, see his full bio over here. See more articles by Barry Schwartz