When you type in a search term on Google, Picasso, for example, what appears to the right along with the search results is something called the Google Knowledge Graph. Basically, in an effort to provide you with the most comprehensive and all-encompassing search results, Google created the Knowledge Graph.

 

Google Graphs 

 So when you search Picasso, the Knowledge Graph presents his age, major works, birth (and death) date, where he was born, periods, etc. This works the same for artists, writers, cars and just about everything in between.

In a recent post from the official Google Webmaster Central blog, it was announced, at least within the music industry (initially), that users will have some control on the Knowledge Graph.

A lot of time fans will simply search the name of the band to find out tour dates and concert information.

"It's important to fans and artists alike that this schedule be accurate and complete. That's why we're trying a new approach to concert listings," the Google blog post said.

In order to ensure the data is the most accurate and up-to-date, the artists themselves will be able to some extent, control what the knowledge graph says.

"In our new approach, all concert information for an artist comes directly from that artist's official website when they add structured data markup," the Google blog post said.

Google has recommended three ways in which the webmaster for any certain artist's website can participate: one, implementing Schema.org markups on the site. Two, installing event widgets. And three, show events on the site with the Data Highlighter webmaster tool.

With a little implementation, bands and fans can be confident that relevant music news is current and accurate.