Google Knol; Besides Wikipedia and Squidoo, Who Else is Unhappy?

Yesterday, Google officially launched Knol (knol.google.com), dubbed a "unit of knowledge" -- an encyclopedic portal that some Web analysts compare to Wikipedia, Squidoo and even Hubpages. (I'd add eHow and AC, too, for starters.) With the lure of AdSense earnings and fame for effective producers, Knol sounds like a winning proposition, except for the competition.

What is Knol?

Knol is a crowdsourcing knowledge base which anyone with a Google account can contribute to, but, unlike Wikipedia, anonymous contributions and unmoderated editing is not allowed. Additionally, Knol has a minimal learning cure to submit content, much like posting a blog entry.

Ideally, individuals - or self-proclaimed experts -- create informative content on the topic of their choice, manage their own entries (knols) and may elect to earn AdSense revenue for their efforts - hence, the comparison to Squidoo.

Another perk noted by Reuters: "Google signed a deal with Conde Nast's New Yorker, giving Knol authors the rights to use one of the magazine's famous cartoons in each Knol posting."

That's a huge draw in.

Though not required, Google encourages U.S.-based Knol producers to verify their identity -- to increase authority and legitimacy of the author. Otherwise a simple process, a phone or credit card (no debit cards) matching the writer's name is required. Connecting with the Knol community also appears beneficial.

Knol search engine ranking, content and AdSense

As Google claims a hands-off editorial approach, inevitable spam will need to be managed. The Knol Content Policy states: "You may use Knol to create articles for your business or to promote your lawful products..."

Knol will be self-moderating in the sense that content will be ranked by other producers who may comment on articles. Furthermore, knols that receive more page views, internal references and better retention may rank better in search engine result pages (SERPs). Presumably, the better authors will earn more AdSense revenue.

Concerns about Knol, beyond Wikipedia

Foremost, it quacks like a conflict of interest for Google to host user-generated content, sponsored by AdSense and with content that may be favored in search engine result pages. At least, YouTube and Blogger broke the ethics this mold incrementally, and bloggers were punished for selling link space.

For Google's part, favoritism in search engine ranking is denied, yet, search engine publicity is listed as a benefit on knol.google.com not limited to: "We value and promote authorship. Great content will be visible on any search engine."

Justified or not, competition for professional Web content producers who depend, or work for a company that depends, on ad revenue may also be threatened by Knol. A Wikipedia cousin is not especially welcome in some sectors.

It's not as if there is a lack of experts and highly informative websites, though Google claims that Knol will help users find valid information more easily. Let's hope that Google's algorithms recognize non-preferential treatment.

Reasons to try Knol

Invented by Google

Develop a name for yourself

Promote yourself (without spamming)

Donate your knowledge to the world

Try to earn AdSense revenue.

Sounds a bit like Blogger, but of course I will give it a chance -- perhaps without name verification.

Sources:
Knol
http://knol.google.com
Google Official Blog
http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2007/12/encouraging-people-to-contribute.html
Reuters (UK)
http://uk.reuters.com/article/internetNews/idUKN2325911820080724?pageNumber=2&virtualBrandChannel=10171
Danny Sullivan, SearchEngine Land
http://searchengineland.com/080723-133642.php