Google Knowledge Graph
The Google Knowledge Graph is Google’s database of entities (people, places, organizations, things and concepts) and the facts and relationships connecting them. Google launched it in May 2012 to understand “things, not strings”, and by 2020 said it held over 500 billion facts about five billion entities, drawn from the web and from open and licensed databases.
What is the Knowledge Graph?
Google introduced the Knowledge Graph on May 16, 2012 as a way to “find the right thing”, “get the best summary” and “go deeper and broader” in search. At launch it contained “more than 500 million objects, as well as more than 3.5 billion facts about and relationships between these different objects.”[1] Officially documented
Where did it come from?
In July 2010 Google acquired Metaweb, whose open database Freebase then described “over 12 million things”.[2] Freebase was later closed; Google says the Freebase API has been shut down and it offers data dumps and mappings between Freebase and Wikidata.[3] Officially documented
How big is it and where do facts come from?
In 2020 Google said the Knowledge Graph “has amassed over 500 billion facts about five billion entities”, understood “from materials shared across the web, as well as from open source and licensed databases.” Google added that Wikipedia “is a commonly-cited source, but it’s not the only one.”[4] Officially documented
| Source type | Examples (per Google) |
|---|---|
| The open web | Pages about the entity, including official sites |
| Open databases | Wikipedia and other public sources |
| Licensed data | Music, sports and TV data partners |
| Vetted content | Medical providers for health panels |
| Entities themselves | Verified people and organizations suggesting changes |
Sources: Google’s 2020 post and Knowledge Panel Help.[4][5]
How does it show up in search?
The most visible output is the knowledge panel. Knowledge Graph data also helps Google interpret queries and disambiguate names (how search engines understand entities).
Can you see what the Knowledge Graph knows?
Partly. Google’s Knowledge Graph Search API returns matching entities with IDs, types and descriptions.[6] It is not a full export, and Google warns it is not suitable for production-critical use. For practical lookups, see finding entities with the API.
How do you get into the Knowledge Graph?
There is no submission form. Google builds entries from the sources above, so the practical route is to make accurate, consistent information about your entity available where Google looks: your entity home, structured data, authoritative profiles and, if you qualify, Wikidata. Practitioner practice See build your entity.
Frequently asked questions
When did Google launch the Knowledge Graph?
May 16, 2012, announced by Amit Singhal under the phrase 'things, not strings'.
How many entities are in the Knowledge Graph?
Google said in 2020 that it held over 500 billion facts about five billion entities. It has not published a newer total that we could verify.
Can I submit my business to the Knowledge Graph?
There is no direct submission. Google builds entries from web, open and licensed sources; a verified Business Profile and consistent facts help for businesses.
See also
References
Pages accessed September 29, 2026 unless a date is given. See all sources and our editorial policy.
- ^ "Introducing the Knowledge Graph: things, not strings (Amit Singhal)". Google (The Keyword). Published May 16, 2012.
- ^ "Deeper understanding with Metaweb". Official Google Blog. Published July 16, 2010.
- ^ "Freebase data dumps (Freebase API has been shut down)". Google for Developers.
- ^ "A reintroduction to our Knowledge Graph and knowledge panels (Danny Sullivan)". Google (The Keyword). Published May 20, 2020.
- ^ "About knowledge panels". Google Knowledge Panel Help.
- ^ "Google Knowledge Graph Search API". Google for Developers.