Knowledge Panel and Google My Business Listings
Research shows that about 93 percent of online experiences begin with a search engine. Considering the amazing opportunities that the web-based tools present, you would not want to miss out on the chance to make your business visible. Google is increasingly working to enhance its search engine results and make it easy for users to find the information they are looking for. A Knowledge Panel is an information box that appears next to search results when you search for entities that are in the Knowledge Graph. The search engine relies on information from various authoritative sources to display rich results. Read on to learn more about how to maximize your information block.
The importance of Knowledge Panels
When a user searches a local business in a given area, the information box that appears on the right side of the screen will contain a Google-generated summary of a relevant business. The information includes location, business hours, and reviews. A knowledge panel is of great importance to any business because it provides quick and useful information about your brand.
Here are some benefits of the feature:
Increases visibility
The panel is probably the first thing that most people will see due to its size and position on the screen. This also means that the featured entities will stand out in the search results, translating into increased visibility. In the end, this will result in more clicks.
Establishes authority
Most searchers tend to believe Google, meaning that an entity featured in the panel will come across as established and reliable. It is also not easy to be in the panel, and entities must be valid to appear on the ride side of the screen. When Google puts you in the panel, this will help you establish authority.
Higher user engagement
In addition to helping you gain visibility, the information on the knowledge panel includes your website and social media profile. Any customer who wants to know more about you can engage with you by clicking on your social media profiles.
Steps to increase your business’ visibility
Knowledge Panels are automatically generated by using the Google algorithm. As such, no business is guaranteed to appear in the panel. However, there are several steps you can take to increase your chances of ranking with a knowledge panel.
Here they are:
Claim your Google My Business listing
One of the first steps to having a better chance of having your business appear in the Google knowledge panel is to optimize your Google My Business listing. You will want to make sure that all the information on the local listing is accurate and up to date. This information includes details like your hours of operation and contact information. The information is helpful to users and will enable your business to appear more relevant to a search query.
Increase domain authority
Google is constantly looking to promote businesses it considers trustworthy, providing accurate information, and relevant to a search query. Your domain authority will go a long way in building trust as an entity that provides valuable and credible information. Google’s algorithm also relies heavily on domain authority when ranking sites.
Accurate and consistent NAP
In addition to optimizing your GMB listing, you will want to tighten up your NAP – name, address, and phone number. It is important to ensure that this information is correct and consistent wherever it appears on the web. This means focusing on both offline and online citations, checking for errors and consistencies that could confuse Google.
Maintain an active social media presence
Social media increases the conversation around your business, which increases its visibility. In essence, staying active on social media outlets such as Google+, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn will make you more likely to appear in the information box.
Ask for and monitor Google reviews
The search engine relies partly on customer reviews to establish the authenticity and quality of businesses. It is important to deliver excellent customer service to your clients and ask them to post online reviews of your business on Google. The positive feedback will help paint your business as a professional one from the search engine’s perspective. Also, remember to respond appropriately to all reviews, both positive and negative.
Suggest an edit to Google
When you are the official owner or representative of a brand, you can directly suggest changes to the search engine. Google will then review the suggested changes and update your Knowledge Graph. These changes can influence the Google algorithm to choose and display your business.
The importance of a Knowledge panel in increasing online visibility cannot be overstated. While there is no sure way of getting your business’ listing to appear in the panel, you can use the above techniques to try and influence Google. Trendi Marketing works with small businesses to help them make the most of the opportunities that search engines present. Sign up for our organic search marketing program today to grow your business.