Google announced on their blog that they are testing a new service called Knol which is an online encyclopedia where experts can contribute their knowledge and both the expert and Google can profit from it. I would imagine through the integration of Google Adsense the expert can profit from his contributions when visitors come to his/her page and click on the Google Ads. Google will obviously take a percentage of the revenues too. This sounds like a great idea in theory however I do worry that topics will lean more towards the most profitable Google Adsense terms. Terms such as mesothelioma, mortgage, student loan consolidation, and car insurance have average CPCs of over $20.
Knol will most likely go head to head against Wikipedia and Citizendium. To view a screenshot of Knol please click here!
Update (7/23/08) – Knol is now open to everyone
