Google Knowledge Graph - The Best Guide For Beginners

Do you want to learn about the latest gadgets in the market? Perhaps you’d like to check out the best Chinese restaurants in your town? Or are you conducting research on the life of an entrepreneur?

Regardless of the nature of your search query, Google tries its best to deliver the most relevant and meaningful answers to you.

There is no doubt that Google has become an indispensable part of every internet user’s life. From acquiring knowledge to buying products, you run quick Google searches for almost every need, big or small. In fact, more than 71,000 search queries are conducted by Google every second.

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Over the years, Google has introduced several algorithm updates such as Panda, Penguin, and Hummingbird. The main purpose of all of these has been to improve the quality of search results to satisfy user intent. After all, Google’s mission is to build a database of knowledge that can be accessed by users, wherever they are.The way Google presents relevant information to their users has also changed over the years. The search engine results pages (SERPs) have been improved to make it easier for the users to locate the information they have searched for. One such significant improvement in this regard was the introduction of Google’s Knowledge Graph in May 2012.

Understanding Google’s Knowledge Graph

The Knowledge Graph is designed to help Google achieve their mission statement – to provide accurate information in the shortest span of time. It is a database that gathers information about people, places, and facts from various sources on the internet.

This is used to create interconnected search results. The goal of the Knowledge Graph is to transform Google from an information engine to a knowledge engine.

The Knowledge Graph collects data from keywords and search queries that people use on the internet. At the same time, it identifies and collates search intent to make search results more accurate and relevant.

Google also refers to high-authority websites such as Wikipedia, Wikidata, and CIA World Factbook. It uses this to gather data on various subjects such as history, science, events, or individuals etc.

Google uses the Knowledge Graph to find out the most relevant information for a particular search query. This information is displayed on a panel (known as the Knowledge Panel or the Knowledge Graph Card) located to the right of the search results.

This gives users quick access to the information they were looking for, without having to click on any particular link. In addition, the Knowledge Panel also displays a list of other results that are related to your search query.

Take a look at the screenshot below to understand how Google displays the Knowledge Graph. In this example, I have used “Thomas Edison” as the search query. The Knowledge Panel gives you a brief overview of Thomas Edison’s life including a concise bio and some famous quotes from him. A user gets access to this information easily, without even clicking on any of the search results.

Image via Google

It is also noteworthy how the Knowledge Panel displays the names of other famous inventors such as Nikola Tesla. The Knowledge Graph helps Google establish a connection between these personalities. As a result, their names make an appearance in the Panel.

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As another example of Knowledge Graph results, take a look at the results for the “best Hollywood movies 2018.” Notice the picture carousel that appears at the top of the page. The position of this carousel is even more prominent than the first search result.

Continue reading this article on Shane Barker's blog.