Difference between Wikipedia and Google Knol

By Pachi | Jul 25, 2008

Google launched “Google Knol” in an attempt to take on media companies. Wikipedia might be the most hit. In this post, I compare Wikipedia and Google Knol, in more in terms of features than concepts.

1) Wikipedia has one page per topic, whereas knol may have many pages with the same topic

Wikipedia tries to create a one stop destination, trying to showcase the best content on the topic’s page, whereas Google knol there can be many pages with the same topic.

Maybe google heard me when I posted about “everybody reading the same content, which may in turn lead to idiocracy”

2) Wikipedia is neutral, Google Knol is not

Wikipedia takes measures to maintain neutrality of the articles, whereas google knol allows people to promote their business.

Their content policy clearly says - “You may use Knol to create articles for your business or to promote your lawful products or services.”

3) In Wikipedia, world controls, in knol, you control

In Wikipedia, anybody can edit the content. Even though this has its own disadvantages, it takes care that no body controls the information.

In Google Knol, you have an option to invite people to edit your pages, giving you the control. The content can be twisted according to the will of the owner. If say, a page on some medical condition got popular, the owner can change the content to satisfy his sponsors.

4) Google Knol pages can be rated

You can rate the articles on google knol. This feature is more of a necessity than for keeping the visitors active. With Knol allowing pages on the same topic to be published, this feature helps in saving time.

5) Knol gets you pocket money

You have the option to put adsense ads on your Knol pages, which might earn you a few dollars.

6) Wikipedia is open, Knol is not

Wikipedia uses GNU Free Documentation License, whereas Google Knol users can use any of the Creative Commons License.
So next time, you plan to copy the content from Knol for your website, project work etc, you will have to check out their license terms

Found more differences? Please post it in the comments.