Your Study Guide for the Google College Search Feature

In June, Google rolled out a new feature to help students navigate the college search process. When searching for information on a college, prospective students typically have to scour the website for potential factors such as admissions requirements, tuition costs, and student body demographics.

The College Search feature makes that information accessible directly from the SERP, making it easier for students to research their options and find the right college.

 

What is Google College Search?

Google College Search is a knowledge panel graph that provides useful information for prospective college students directly into the SERP, both on desktop and mobile. Data includes cost, graduation and acceptance rates, college majors and post-graduation salaries.

 

 

 

Students can click the various headings at the top to see information about each of the academic categories:

 

              

 

The data comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).

 

Who does this apply to?

Currently, this feature is only available to four-year colleges in the United States.

 

How can my school optimize our website for Google College Search?

Update your school’s information. Search for your school on the College Scorecard and the National Center for Education Statistics IPEDS and ensure that information is complete and up-to-date.

Get verified. Underneath the knowledge panel, you’ll see a link that says ‘Do you manage the online presence?’:

 

 

Once your school is verified on Google, you can post content within the College Search Knowledge Graph:

 

 

Posting useful, engaging content will have a positive impact on your organic search results, making it easier for searchers to find your content when considering schools to apply to.

Make any necessary on-page content optimizations. Ensure that your school’s site has strong content in each of the Google College Search categories, such as Admissions, Rankings or Notable Alumni. Review relevant pages and look for opportunities to include this information within the body copy and meta data.

 

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Any questions on how your education organization can get ahead of the game? Contact us.