If our readers may recall, we had reported in December last year that, Google was in the process of testing a knowledge storehouse called “Knol” and it was expected to give a tough competition to the free online encyclopedia “Wikipedia”.

Now, via the Official Google Blog, Google has announced the launch of 'Knol'. Derived from the word 'knowledge', Knol is a knowledge platform based on authoritative articles about specific topics, written by people who know about those subjects. It is yet another addition to the growing number of free information based websites, such as, Wikipedia, Yahoo Answers, About.com. Also, just like Wikipedia, Knol will deliver reliable and relevant information, absolutely free of cost.

According to Google, “With Knol, we are introducing a new method for authors to work together that we call "moderated collaboration." With this feature, any reader can make suggested edits to a knol which the author may then choose to accept, reject, or modify before these contributions become visible to the public. This allows authors to accept suggestions from everyone in the world while remaining in control of their content. After all, their name is associated with it!”

Users will be offered strong social networking website features in 'Knol' such as, they would be able to submit comments, rate, or write a review of a knol. In addition to these features, the authors can benefit monetarily as well, by opting toinclude advertisements from Google's AdSense program. If an author chooses to include ads, Google will provide the author with a revenue share from the proceeds of those ad placements.

Also, Google has tied up with the New York Times to provide the Knol's authors with options such as the addition of one cartoon per knol from the New Yorker's extensive cartoon collection.

However, the fact is that Wikipedia has been around for quite some time and millions of users rely on the information provided by the website. If Google wishes to give Wikipedia a run for its money, then 'Knol' would have to show some serious muscle and would need to attract audience on a much larger scale.

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