If you have been trying to be the source of a Google Knowledge Graph, you should definitely consider outside sources if you aren’t able to nab it for your website.  Many have noticed that Google cites some rather interesting sources in their “how to” type of knowledge graphs, but now they are including Facebook posts as one of their knowledge graph sources.

The top of the search results features a post from Facebook, which also happens to be third result in the organic search results.  The particular post from October 25, 2011 has 134 shares, 262 likes and 147 comments, so while that is a fair number, it seems low to be considered as the source Google would use in it’s knowledge graph.

It also raises the question of the criteria for being considered a source.  With many other more reputable results for that search, the choice of a Facebook post is a curious one.  While there is some great content shared on Facebook, there is also content that is less-than-stellar that gets shared that could potentially be included in a Google knowledge graph.

There is also the irony that Facebook, a Google+ competitor, is being linked to as a source for a knowledge graph.

If you are vying for a knowledge graph spot for a particular query that features one, and you haven’t been successful with your main website, a Facebook post that is public with a couple hundred likes and shares just might be enough to steal it away from your competitor.

Hat tip to the person on Twitter who spotted it yesterday (I lost the link to your tweet, if it was you, let me know!)