In case you hadn’t heard, Google has launched it’s own version of Wikipedia. It’s called Knol and like Wikipedia, it’s a collection of “expert articles” that others can annote and comment upon.
In her article, Take Advantage of Knol Kay Frenzer writes:
Knol pages tend to be more educational and formal.
More focus is placed on the author than in Wikipedia. You can complete a bio (there is a simple verification process via a PIN code through your cell phone, if you want to utilize it). Another difference between Knol and Wikipedia is that whereas Wikipedia is strictly factual, the author of a Knol page can express an opinion or point of view.
However, there appears to be a significant SEO benefit to creating Knols. JR’s Internet Marketing blog reports in Google Knol – the Good, the Bad and Internet Marketing Benefits
I was searching for migraines the other day and I noticed a knol.google link in the SERPS. Not having heard of Knol. I did some research into what it was. After that I looked closely at the SERPS and realized that not only was the very new Knol article sitting on Page 1 it was sitting above several authority migraine sites, that were PR5 and PR6.
Aaron Wall write extensively about the “favored status” of Knol articles when it comes to Google SERPs in Google Knol – Google’s Latest Attack on Copyright. Aaron makes a compelling point that Knol articles truly enjoy a Google House Advantage!
He also points out a huge “problem” with Knol:
Hijacking Your Rankings via Knol – Google Knoljacking
Where this becomes a big issue is if a person…
- posts your content to Knol
- and buys/rents/begs/steals/spams/borrows a couple decent inbound links
they can get you filtered out of the search results – even if your site is an authority site. Bad news for anyone publishing copyright work online.
Essentially, Aaron’s saying be prepared. Those free ebooks we’ve all been handing out like penny candy could end up on Knol under someone else’s name.
With that in mind, I’m going to start publishing my ebook content on Knol myself. I have published my first Knol article: How to Create a Pillar Posts for Your Business Blog. I invite you to comment and rate the article. (Of course, I’d ADORE it if you rated it positively!)
Because this is a Google creation, I doubt that Knol will fall into obscurity, especially with the “favored content” status Knol articles are receiving in Google’s SERPs.
Have you used Knol? Will you now?
Hey Kathy,
Sounds very interesting. I wonder if Google is spinning Knol to be more SEO friendly in order to get people to buy in faster?
It’s likely working — I’m going to check it out myself…
~Graham
I can’t say that it’s necessarily “fair” if that is why Google is giving preferential treatment to Knol entries – but then again, you know what they say -“He who has the GOLD makes the RULES.”
I think you’re right – the SEO benefits are a big draw!
I have a lot of content that I can put on Knol, but I’m wondering if I have to have complete ownership (that is, not have it on somewhere else on the web) before I put it on Knol. I’m excited to hear about Knol and I’m off to check it out.
thanks, Kathy
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