Recently, we’ve seen Google start providing more actual details regarding your query in their search results a la Duck Duck Go. It’s now possible to get step-by-step instructions or fast answers to queries from an ever-widening variety of search terms. Rather than pulling from the first search result provided, Google has been generating it’s own search results through it’s own tools, or through pulling information from the site it perceives has the best answer to your query.
Clearly, it is an excellent boon for sites whose content is featured in this area. However, it can be infuriating for some site owners to see that some pieces of information that appear in that area can be incomplete, incorrect, or misinterpreted, especially when the correct answer is featured on their own website. To this point, that information can sometimes even be dangerously incorrect. For example, I was doing some recent keyword research for a client and Googled “what is the age of consent in Texas”. The answer that appeared had a bold heading (one that most people may not read past if they were in a hurry) was 17 yr. Further details clarify that the age of consent is not, in fact 17, but 18 – a crucial difference that could be easily missed.
If you have reason to believe the information presented is inaccurate or misrepresented, then you can click the feedback button and fill out a brief feedback form that is provided. If there is a specific reason as to how the information is misrepresented , there is a brief comments area to provide information before submission. There is also a link that allows you to request the removal of information due to legal reasons – due to trademark violation, the display of personal information, malware or phishing issues or a variety of other options that would provide good reason for the removal of displayed content.
Have you used this feature before? Have you had success with removing inaccurate information from the Knowledge Graph? Let us know in your comments!
Sources:
“Google’s Knowledge Graph Is Showing Step By Step Instructions: Here Are Some Examples” by Barry Schwartz. Search Engine Land.
“Removing Content From Google” Google Knowledge Base
