Have you noticed the box that appears on the right side of the Google search results page when you search for a particular person or brand? That is the Google Knowledge Panel. This is how Google seeks to establish that it is a trusted entity. Businesses are trying to secure this knowledge panel as it is one of the smartest SEO moves you can take today. This panel provides the strongest visibility and credibility to brands. This blog provides a clear understanding of knowledge panels and how to appear in Google search results.
What is a Google Knowledge Panel?
Whenever a user searches for a person or a company on Google, you can see a box appear on the right side of the search results. That is termed the Google Knowledge Panel. Sometimes, the box may appear at the top on mobile devices. You will find this feature helpful to know a person, place, thing, or event. It will also include descriptions, images, and links. This is one of the most useful SERP features. If you have a knowledge panel, it means that Google trusts you. These knowledge panels typically verify data from Google’s Knowledge Graph, which contains approximately 5 billion entities worldwide.
Google Knowledge Panel vs Knowledge Graph
| Knowledge Graph | Knowledge Panel |
| Google’s database of entities | Search results box with key information. |
| Helps Google understand facts and relationships. | Shows important information to users quickly. |
| Hidden from users. | Visible on Google Search. |
| Managed by Google. | Can be claimed by verified owners. |
| Knows a company’s founding year. | Shows logo, founders, website, and quick facts. |
Google Knowledge Panel Vs AI Overview
As we all know, Google AI Overviews appear at the top of search results. Where do you think they are getting information from? Actually, they are getting information from the same database that the knowledge panel relies on. It is a Knowledge Graph. When AI overviews mention a person or brand, this information can be sourced from your verified knowledge panel, your website data, the sources that populate the knowledge graph, and your Wikipedia entries. This helps ensure correct information about a person or brand is shown.
Who Gets these Knowledge Panels?
Google usually uses Knowledge Panels for things it can clearly identify and verify. This usually includes people like writers, business founders, or well-known personalities. The list is not ending. Even companies, organizations, products, brands, events, books, places, or creative works will also get panels.
The important thing is not just what it is, but whether Google can find enough trustworthy information about it. If the details are consistent across all sources, there is a good chance a panel will appear in your search results.
How to Get these Knowledge Panels?
This is a tough question! You should understand that the Google Knowledge panel is given by Google based on multiple factors. Don’t think you can easily create a google knowledge panel without Google’s algorithmic approval. Also, you cannot simply apply for it. But don’t lose hope! You can take some small steps to improve your chances.
Google has two main types of knowledge panels. One is local panels, and the other is branded/personal panels. We usually see local panels appear depending upon the searcher’s location, while branded and personal panels are visible to anyone searching for that particular entity. Remember that Local businesses can apply for their panel, but branded and personal panels are released at Google’s discretion. You can, however, work toward earning one by making your brand more visible and credible online. Try to follow the steps below to earn a knowledge panel.
Start With a Google Business Profile
If you want Google to notice your brand, you need to make it visible. The first step is to create and verify a Google Business Profile. This gives Google a reliable source of information about your business, which can help you to create Google Knowledge Panel for your brand. It’s also essential for appearing on Google Maps.
Set Up Entity Home on Your Website
Next, set up a dedicated page on your website, usually an “About Us “ page. Google will look for a trustworthy source like your mission and history in order to pull out information about your business. So always remember to make this page detailed and factual. Try to make sure that you are setting this on your own website rather than a third party page, so that you will have full control over your information.
Implement Structured Schema Markup
Once your entity home is ready, implement structured schema markup to make Google understand your information. This is like a code that tells Google about what kind of information this is. You can choose schemas like Organization (for companies), Person (for individuals), LocalBusiness (for location-based businesses), and the “sameAs” property to link your brand to authoritative sources like LinkedIn, Wikipedia, or social media.
Secure a Backup of your Data
Google always prefers verified data. If you are keeping your business details on credible websites like LinkedIn, it will be an added advantage. But you have to make sure that the data is consistent across every platform ,same as on your website. Google values this consistency pattern and it will consider you as a trusted brand.
Handle Wikipedia Carefully
Having a Wikipedia page can help your panel show up faster, but it’s not something you should rely on as your main strategy. Wikipedia pages are on third-party sites you don’t fully control, and creating or maintaining one can take a lot of time. Use Wikipedia only as a supporting source, not as your primary source of information.
Set Up a Wikidata Entry
If you set up a Wikidata Entry to list your brand, Google can read your structured data easily. For that, just sign up first and check if your entity already exists, then add a new item with your business name and details like your website, social profiles, founding date, and industry. You can indeed use references to verify your claims and link to authoritative sources with the “sameAs” property. Make sure everything matches your website and other sources.
Boost Your Domain Authority
You should know that Google always trusts websites with strong domain authority(DA). The higher your DA, the more is the chance for google consider your site reliable for a knowledge panel. You can boost DA by improving your on-page SEO, creating good internal links, adding structured data, using credible backlinks, and making sure your site is user-friendly and mobile-ready. Increasing DA takes time, but you should remember that consistent effort pays off.
Get Your Knowledge Panel Verified
Once Google recognizes your brand, a panel may appear in search results. If you see a globe icon or a social media icon on the panel, you can claim it. Sign in with your Google account, click “Claim this knowledge panel,” and follow the instructions, often through Google Search Console.
If the panel doesn’t have a claim icon, you may need to apply manually, providing proof like screenshots or legal documents to confirm ownership. Changing the panel can take some work, but it’s possible once Google verifies you as the rightful owner. You can learn how to do all this through a course on digital marketing in calicut.
How can You Edit the Google Knowledge Panel?
In order to edit the Google Knowledge Panel, follow steps below,
- Choose what to update – title, description, images, or social links.
- Find your entity’s knowledge panel on Google and click “Suggest an edit.”
- Enter the correct information with supporting documents or sources.
- Submit your changes for Google’s review.
It is Google who is going to review your edit. They can approve, reject, or request additional verification. If required, you can provide the necessary documents to support your claim.
How To Optimize Your Knowledge Panel?
In order to optimize your knowledge panel, you must follow the steps below
- Keep your website’s structured data and content aligned to avoid confusing Google.
- Check competitors’ panels to find missing info and fill gaps.
- Link your site to trusted sources to build credibility.
- Get mentions on other sites through interviews, press, or podcasts.
- Share content on Google platforms like YouTube or Google Books.
- Post regularly on social media to keep Google updated.
Conclusion
Now you got a clear idea about what google knowledge panel is and how to get it. You should also understand that Optimizing a knowledge panel is an ongoing process, that depends on clarity, consistency and trust. When your website data matches what google sees elsewhere and if your entity is mentioned in more sources, google will confidently shows more details. Small updates will show more results than large ones. Always remember that our goal is to help google understand who you are and why your entity matters. By staying active online and keeping information accurate, your panel will continue to improve naturally. Also Your entity will be recognized and respected.
FAQs
1.What is a Google Knowledge Panel?
A Google Knowledge Panel is a box that shows up on Google when you search for a person, business, or brand. It gives basic info like name, description, pictures, and official links.
2. Do I need a Wikipedia page to expand my Knowledge Panel?
Not always. A Wikipedia page can help, but it’s not mandatory. Google also relies on trusted news sites, databases, and other authoritative sources.
3. Can social media really affect a Knowledge Panel?
Yes, it can. Active and consistent social profiles help Google see that your entity is real, current, and engaged, especially when profiles are clearly linked to your website.
4. What happens if my schema and website content don’t match?
Google may ignore the structured data completely. This can reduce your chances of getting rich features or expanded information in your Knowledge Panel.
5. Is expanding a Knowledge Panel more about content or mentions?
It’s about both. Your own content gives Google a base, while third-party mentions help confirm your credibility and importance. Together, they strengthen your overall digital presence.
