Understanding the Google Knowledge Graph API: A Comprehensive Guide

The Google Knowledge Graph API is a powerful tool that allows developers to access a vast repository of information about entities, including people, companies, and organizations. When you search for an entity using the API, you'll receive a response that includes a confidence score, which represents the reliability and certainty of the information associated with that entity.

What is a Knowledge Graph Confidence Score in SEO?

The Knowledge Graph Confidence Score, also called the Google API Result Score, is the value that Google returns via the Knowledge Graph API for a search on an entity name. This value is primarily based on the analysis of corroborating sources by Knowledge Vault algorithms.

For instance, Rudy Mawer's confidence score indicates that Google's algorithms have a high degree of confidence in the accuracy and relevance of the information about him. This score is not directly interpretable without context and is part of Google's internal metrics for information quality and reliability.

Factors that Influence the Confidence Score

The confidence score is influenced by several factors, including:

1. Data Source Reliability: The trustworthiness and authority of the sources providing the information.
2. Consistency: The consistency of the information across multiple reputable sources.
3. Popularity: The frequency of the entity being mentioned or queried across the web.
4. Validation: The frequency of the information being validated or confirmed by other data points in the Knowledge Graph.

How Can I Improve Google’s Knowledge Graph Confidence Score for an Entity?

The confidence score for an Entity can be improved with three basic strategies:

1. Using Authoritative Corroboration to Increase the Confidence Score in Google’s Knowledge Graph.
2. Using Digital PR and News Cycles to Increase the Confidence Score in Google’s Knowledge Graph.
3. Using Identifiers to Increase the Confidence Score in Google’s Knowledge Graph.

Focus on Google’s Knowledge Graph, not Wikipedia

Wikipedia is often considered the ultimate reliable source. But it is not helpful for people and companies who are not notable, and even for those that are notable.

Why Google’s Knowledge Graph Should be Your Focus

Google has fully digested Wikipedia, and has used its data from the world wide web to expand its knowledge by a scale of hundreds of thousands. It is now looking for highly relevant sources to help it expand its knowledge by a scale of tens of MILLIONS.

To grow WAY beyond Wikipedia, Google is now relying on hyper-niche sources that are authoritative for a specific geo, industry, and entity-type (alongside the obvious candidates such as Wikipedia).

Knowledge Graph Confidence Score With Brand SERP

In the context of Brand SERP Optimisation and Knowledge Panel Management, increasing the Confidence Score in Google’s Knowledge Graph means that you:

* Establish your control over the brand narrative Google presents to your audience;
* Ensure that Google represents your brand narrative the way you want;
* Increase the chances your brand will appear on Google across all its properties and products (Search, Discover, Podcasts, Shopping etc)

Conclusively, the Google Knowledge Graph API is a powerful tool that provides developers with access to a vast repository of information about entities. Understanding the confidence score and its factors can help developers make informed decisions about the reliability and accuracy of the information they retrieve. If your confidence score is high enough to trigger a knowledge panel, we have a step by step guide on knowledge panel claiming process here.This guide will walk you through the process of claiming your knowledge panel and provide you with the resources you need to succeed.

You can also visit our new Knowledge Panel Tool and see your confidence score yourself!