Google have decided to close their Google Answers service by the end of 2006. This is an integral part of any innovators remit and destruction is required just as much as invention.

The questions posted to date will still remain on the service, but Google will be ceasing to answer any more questions by the end of this year according to a post in the official Google Blog.

Google answers was launched in 2002 and setup by a team of four to answer the worlds questions. These questions have subsequently been answered by a group of over 800 people committed to helping people.

Some of the question people have had answered are; Can wardrobes have automatic mirrors?, How tall is Durmot Murnaghan?, How do you kill a cockroach? and Why did they make Barney Purple?.

Does this mean that Google are not innovating, or are running into trouble? Certainly not! One thing that innovators like Google know and understand is that innovation is not just about invention, but also about destruction. If an invention does not take off, then why try to keep it flying? Even giants like Google understand that without destruction you will never truly be a leading innovator.

The service is still taking questions, but with some of the most recent questions posted asking where the answers are, it is probable that you will not receive an answer. The answers posted to date will also stay available on the net. So, whilst the service is stopping to answer any new questions, you will still be able to find answers to previously asked questions.

Whilst it is sad to see a Google service go, the resources released by not supporting this service will most certainly provide Google with additional resource in the invention camp.

If you would like to read additional material about this then please visit Matt Cutts’ post on R.I.P., Google Answers

Also, if YOU think there are any other Google services or any other web services that deserve the certificate of destruction, then please let us know.