SEO
4 minutes

SEO and the Importance of Google’s Knowledge Panel

Kate Hughes

19.3.25

In today’s digital landscape, achieving top visibility on Google is critical and increasingly difficult. Among the many features that boost your online presence, Google’s Knowledge Panel plays a pivotal role. This article explains what a Knowledge Panel is, how it differs from the Knowledge Graph, how to claim your panel, and which structured data is essential for AI Overviews.

What Is a Knowledge Panel?

A Google Knowledge Panel is the concise information box that appears on the right-hand side of search results page when you search for a recognised entity—be it a person, brand, or landmark. It displays key details like descriptions, images, significant dates, related social media profiles and relevant links to provide users with a quick snapshot. The panel aggregates data from Google’s vast Knowledge Graph and other authoritative sources, ensuring that users see a reliable summary at a glance.

"Knowledge panels are information boxes that appear on Google when you search for entities (people, places, organizations, things) that are in the Knowledge Graph. They are meant to help you get a quick snapshot of information on a topic based on Google's understanding of available content on the web." Google.

Knowledge Panel vs. Knowledge Graph

Though often confused, the Knowledge Panel and the Knowledge Graph are different:

  • Knowledge Graph:
    Google’s Knowledge Graph is a database of facts about people, places, organisations, and things. It maps out relationships between entities and underpins how Google understands search queries.
  • Knowledge Panel:
    This is the user-facing display that presents a brief, curated summary of an entity’s key facts. It pulls data from the Knowledge Graph to show information such as the entity’s name, description, and images.

Understanding this distinction emphasises the importance of accurate, structured data on your website—it feeds both systems to ensure users get the best possible information.

How to check for your brand's Knowledge Panel?

To determine if a Knowledge Panel exists for a brand, person, or landmark, follow these steps:

  1. Search: Enter the name of the brand or person into Google.
  2. Try Variations: Experiment with variations by adding keywords like 'about' or 'company' after the name.
  3. Interpret Results: If a Knowledge Panel does not appear, it may indicate that Google doesn't have enough information to generate one.

How to Claim Your Google Knowledge Panel

Claiming your Knowledge Panel empowers you to suggest corrections and keep your public information accurate. Follow these steps:

  1. Search For Your Entity:
    As above, conduct a simple Google search for your name, brand, or organisation. Locate your Knowledge Panel in the search results.
  2. Claim the Panel:
    Click the “Claim this knowledge panel” option, typically available in the dropdown with the 3 dots.
  3. Verify Your Identity:
    Google will prompt you to verify your association—usually by signing in with an official account (such as via Google Search Console or an associated social media profile) or by filling out a form.
  4. Provide Additional Proof:
    If necessary, submit any requested documentation to confirm your relationship with the entity.
  5. Manage Your Panel:
    Once verified, you can suggest factual edits and add authorized managers, ensuring that the information remains reliable and up-to-date.

What Structured Data Is Important for AI Overviews?

Structured data is important for AI Overviews because it enables Google’s AI to clearly understand and trust your content. By embedding specific markup on your pages, you help search engines pinpoint vital details. Key structured data types include:

  • Organization and Person Schema:
    Define essential details like name, logo, contact info, and social profiles.
  • FAQ Schema:
    Highlight common questions and answers, making it easier for AI to feature your content in search results.
  • HowTo Schema:
    Outline step-by-step guides clearly so that both users and AI can quickly grasp the process.

Clear schema markup is crucial for search engine trust. Furthermore, accurate structured data can help your site stand out in both traditional rich results and AI-driven Google search results.

FAQ

What is a Google Knowledge Panel?
It’s an information box on the search results page that offers a quick overview of key facts about a notable entity, sourced from Google’s Knowledge Graph.

How does a Knowledge Panel differ from the Knowledge Graph?
The Knowledge Graph is Google’s comprehensive database of facts, while the Knowledge Panel is the visual summary of that data displayed on search results.

How can I claim my Knowledge Panel?
Log in to your Google account, search for your entity, click “Claim this knowledge panel,” and follow the verification process.

Why is structured data important for AI Overviews?
It helps Google’s AI understand your content, ensuring that accurate information is featured in search summaries.

How does a Knowledge Panel benefit SEO?
It boosts visibility and credibility by displaying reliable, up-to-date information directly in search results, leading to enhanced user engagement

In today’s digital landscape, achieving top visibility on Google is critical and increasingly difficult. Among the many features that boost your online presence, Google’s Knowledge Panel plays a pivotal role. This article explains what a Knowledge Panel is, how it differs from the Knowledge Graph, how to claim your panel, and which structured data is essential for AI Overviews.

What Is a Knowledge Panel?

A Google Knowledge Panel is the concise information box that appears on the right-hand side of search results page when you search for a recognised entity—be it a person, brand, or landmark. It displays key details like descriptions, images, significant dates, related social media profiles and relevant links to provide users with a quick snapshot. The panel aggregates data from Google’s vast Knowledge Graph and other authoritative sources, ensuring that users see a reliable summary at a glance.

"Knowledge panels are information boxes that appear on Google when you search for entities (people, places, organizations, things) that are in the Knowledge Graph. They are meant to help you get a quick snapshot of information on a topic based on Google's understanding of available content on the web." Google.

Knowledge Panel vs. Knowledge Graph

Though often confused, the Knowledge Panel and the Knowledge Graph are different:

  • Knowledge Graph:
    Google’s Knowledge Graph is a database of facts about people, places, organisations, and things. It maps out relationships between entities and underpins how Google understands search queries.
  • Knowledge Panel:
    This is the user-facing display that presents a brief, curated summary of an entity’s key facts. It pulls data from the Knowledge Graph to show information such as the entity’s name, description, and images.

Understanding this distinction emphasises the importance of accurate, structured data on your website—it feeds both systems to ensure users get the best possible information.

How to check for your brand's Knowledge Panel?

To determine if a Knowledge Panel exists for a brand, person, or landmark, follow these steps:

  1. Search: Enter the name of the brand or person into Google.
  2. Try Variations: Experiment with variations by adding keywords like 'about' or 'company' after the name.
  3. Interpret Results: If a Knowledge Panel does not appear, it may indicate that Google doesn't have enough information to generate one.

How to Claim Your Google Knowledge Panel

Claiming your Knowledge Panel empowers you to suggest corrections and keep your public information accurate. Follow these steps:

  1. Search For Your Entity:
    As above, conduct a simple Google search for your name, brand, or organisation. Locate your Knowledge Panel in the search results.
  2. Claim the Panel:
    Click the “Claim this knowledge panel” option, typically available in the dropdown with the 3 dots.
  3. Verify Your Identity:
    Google will prompt you to verify your association—usually by signing in with an official account (such as via Google Search Console or an associated social media profile) or by filling out a form.
  4. Provide Additional Proof:
    If necessary, submit any requested documentation to confirm your relationship with the entity.
  5. Manage Your Panel:
    Once verified, you can suggest factual edits and add authorized managers, ensuring that the information remains reliable and up-to-date.

What Structured Data Is Important for AI Overviews?

Structured data is important for AI Overviews because it enables Google’s AI to clearly understand and trust your content. By embedding specific markup on your pages, you help search engines pinpoint vital details. Key structured data types include:

  • Organization and Person Schema:
    Define essential details like name, logo, contact info, and social profiles.
  • FAQ Schema:
    Highlight common questions and answers, making it easier for AI to feature your content in search results.
  • HowTo Schema:
    Outline step-by-step guides clearly so that both users and AI can quickly grasp the process.

Clear schema markup is crucial for search engine trust. Furthermore, accurate structured data can help your site stand out in both traditional rich results and AI-driven Google search results.

FAQ

What is a Google Knowledge Panel?
It’s an information box on the search results page that offers a quick overview of key facts about a notable entity, sourced from Google’s Knowledge Graph.

How does a Knowledge Panel differ from the Knowledge Graph?
The Knowledge Graph is Google’s comprehensive database of facts, while the Knowledge Panel is the visual summary of that data displayed on search results.

How can I claim my Knowledge Panel?
Log in to your Google account, search for your entity, click “Claim this knowledge panel,” and follow the verification process.

Why is structured data important for AI Overviews?
It helps Google’s AI understand your content, ensuring that accurate information is featured in search summaries.

How does a Knowledge Panel benefit SEO?
It boosts visibility and credibility by displaying reliable, up-to-date information directly in search results, leading to enhanced user engagement

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