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The website allows people to write about their areas of expertise under their bylines in a twist on encyclopaedia Wikipedia, which allows those posting to remain anonymous.

The site has been tested over the past few months, and will offer a set of community tools that offers different forms of interaction between readers and authors, including allowing people to submit comments, rate or write a review of a Knol, with Google ranking entries by popularity.

Other points of difference to Wikipedia include Knol encouraging writers to reduce their contributions on a topic to a single page, which will not be chronologically updated, along with it not allowing visitors to be able to contribute or edit a Knol unless they have the author's permission. Knol has publishing tools similar to single blog pages.

Google wants to rank entries by popularity, decided by user ratings, reviews and how often people refer to the specific pages, to encourage competition.
In another point of difference from Wikipedia, the new offering does not edit or endorse the information and visitors will not be able to edit or contribute to a Knol unless they have the author's permission. Readers will also be able to notify Google if they find any content objectionable.

The website was first announced at the beginning of December 2007 when Google began limited testing on the site. Additionally, if an author includes ads, Google says it will provide the author with a revenue share from the proceeds of the ad placements.

Knol focusing on individual authors or groups of authors in marked contrast to Wikipedia's subject entries. The problem with Wikipedia is that anyone can edit information and stay anonymous, so there is always a stigma as it is unknown if the information is correct and from a reliable source. But if well known knowledgeable people start using Knol, This will enable Google to have a more credible online encyclopedia! Which will wipe the floor with Wikipedia.