What is Google’s Knowledge Graph?

If you search for a specific company, you’ll likely see a big block of information on the right (sometimes the top) of your screen. That’s Google’s Knowledge Graph. This block – also known as the Knowledge Graph Card or Panel – contains relevant, context-specific information regarding your search, powered by the Knowledge Graph.

If you search for a specific company, the Knowledge Graph will show an almost complete profile, depending on how well they did their SEO work. Searching for a recently released movie will show posters, reviews and screening times for your local cinema. As you see, the graph is a powerful and fascinating tool. But what can you do to get your information in the Knowledge Graph?

It’s Google’s way of connecting information

Google’s core business is providing people with a correct answer to all their questions. To do that, it doesn’t just present the result that closest matches a search term, but it also makes broader connections between data. Google, therefore, collects and analyzes massive amounts of data on people, places, things and facts, and develops ways to present the findings in an accessible way. These are often rich results, like featured snippets, images carrousels or the famous Knowledge Panel mentioned in the intro of this text.

The Knowledge Graph and its panel

This is where it might get confusing: many people mix up the Knowledge Graph and the panel you see on the right-hand side of your screen. The Knowledge Graph is the engine that powers the panel that’s officially called the Knowledge Graph Card or Panel. In this card, you’ll find the most visible result of the work that the graph does. When there’s enough data about a subject, the card will be filled with all kinds of relevant facts, images, and related searches.

Check out Albert Einstein’s card in the screenshot below, and you’ll see how much information it provides.

Read more: Elements of the Google search results page »

Anatomy of the Knowledge Graph

When Google released the Knowledge Graph in 2012, they made an excellent introductory video. This explains in easy-to-understand language how the graph works, and how it influences the results you get when you search for a specific term. Check out the video! It’s still as relevant today as it was then:

Examples of search results

In recent years, content presented by the Knowledge Graph has become much more interactive. Google likes to experiment with the graph, what it shows and how it’s presented. At first, it featured only static content, like images, social media profiles, and general information about the search. Today, it is continually expanding in possibilities. If you search for a movie, you can directly book tickets to see it at your local cinema. Search for a local store, and you know exactly when the busiest times are. And on mobile, the rich results are even richer!

Let’s look at some examples of Knowledge Graph listings.

Nutritional information:

Movies:

Places:

List sliders:

How do you get your content into the Knowledge Graph?

First, you need to become an authority on your subject. Find out what people search for by doing keyword research, write excellent content and make sure your site is fully optimized and mobile-friendly.

Next, you should use structured data to mark up important elements of your site to make it easier for Google to understand what it’s all about. After all, structured data in the form of Schema.org is becoming increasingly important! And finally, you should register your site with Google Search Console and My Business.

If you are a well-known person or if you own a particular company, you can claim your Knowledge Panel. After verifying, you can edit the contents of the panel to a certain extent.

Yoast SEO and the Knowledge Graph

Do you need help getting your (business) information in the Knowledge Graph? Fear no more, because Yoast SEO can help! Our Yoast SEO plugin for WordPress and Yoast SEO app for Shopify both output a complete Schema graph for your site, ready for search engines to use.

Just by setting up Yoast SEO — optionally supported by Local SEO in WordPress — and filling out the information on your site, you automatically enable the data that Google needs to fill the Knowledge Graph. After that, you can use regular SEO tactics and structured data to fill in the missing pieces. Keep in mind, though, that it’s Google that determines what it adds to its Knowledge Graph.

Conclusion

The Knowledge Graph is an important part of the search experience in Google. It powers many of the innovative new ways data shows up in the search engine. Getting your information in there is of the essence, especially if you have a business. And don’t forget to make sure that your business details are correct, you sign up for Google My Business and add everything you possibly can. Many other parts of the Knowledge Graph are generated from structured data, like reviews, movie information, events, so be sure to mark up your data in any which way you can.

Keep reading: Structured data: the ultimate guide »