Google’s Knowledge Graph Comes With Mobile-Specific Capabilities

Google announced the launch of the Knowledge Graph today. To make a long story short, Google will show boxes in search results pages with info it thinks there’s a good chance you’re lookin...
Google’s Knowledge Graph Comes With Mobile-Specific Capabilities
Written by Chris Crum
  • Google announced the launch of the Knowledge Graph today. To make a long story short, Google will show boxes in search results pages with info it thinks there’s a good chance you’re looking for, for certain queries: andmarks, celebrities, cities, sports teams, buildings, geographical features, movies, celestial objects, works of art, etc.

    Here’s a video Google out out, which will give you a better idea:

    The Knowledge Graph comes with some mobile-specific features for smartphones and tablets.

    “On wireless networks and on small screens, every page load and every pixel matters when it comes to speed and ease-of-use,” says Engineering Manager Junyoung Lee. “So we strive for efficiency and try to make the most of touch-based interactions when integrating information from Knowledge Graph into our mobile and tablet search experiences.”

    “For example, say this fall I’m heading to Chicago for a friend’s wedding, and I’ve heard I should check out Millennium Park while I’m in town,” adds Lee. “A quick search on Google brings up Knowledge Graph information embedded within the results. This initial peek shows what people are often interested in about Millennium Park. Tapping or swiping on the content from the Knowledge Graph instantly shows me more useful information. I can see if there’s an event going on while I’m in town, and get some ideas for other Chicago attractions I might want to visit based on what other people have searched for on Google.”

    Knowledge Graph on Tablet

    Tablet Version of Knowledge Graph

    Users can swipe through images and get more content, and there’s a “ribbon” at the top of the SERP, which the user can also swipe and tap to distinguish which version of a certain query they’re looking for. Google gives the example of “andromeda,” which could mean the galaxy, the TV show or the band. The ribbon would let you select which one you wanted.

    Google talks about the Knowledge Graph as a way for it to get smarter about providing the right things people wish to see, though with features like the ribbon (and a similar feature on the right-hand side of the desktop version), users can still provide their input to help Google figure it out.

    The mobile features are rolling out to “most” devices running Android 2.2 and above and iOS4 and above. On Android, Knowledge Graph features will appear in the browser and from the Quick Search Box. On iOS, it will appear in the browser, but not yet in the Google Search App, though that’s coming soon, according to Google.

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