What is the Difference Between Wikipedia and Google?

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The main differences between Google and Wikipedia are their functions, content, and control over the information they provide:

  1. Functions: Google is a search engine that retrieves information from the Internet, while Wikipedia is an online encyclopedia where individuals collaborate to develop and curate content on various topics.
  2. Content: Google provides content from web pages, images, videos, news, etc., while Wikipedia contains articles on a wide range of topics, with content contributed by users from around the world.
  3. Control: Google has no control over the content of the websites it indexes, while Wikipedia can quickly sensor and control its content.
  4. Content Source: Content found in Google is not hosted on Google servers, whereas content found in Wikipedia is hosted on Wikipedia servers.
  5. Revenue: Google generates revenue through ads and services, while Wikipedia is a non-profit organization that relies on donations and grants.
  6. Content Quality: Content quality on Wikipedia varies, as it includes both reliable and unreliable information, while Google aims to provide relevant and accurate information by indexing websites.
  7. User Engagement: Wikipedia allows users to create, edit, and maintain entries, while Google is a search engine that takes users to other websites containing the information they seek.

In summary, Google is a search engine that indexes websites and provides search results, while Wikipedia is an online encyclopedia with user-generated content on various topics.

Comparative Table: Wikipedia vs Google

Here is a table highlighting the main differences between Wikipedia and Google:

Characteristic Wikipedia Google
Purpose Online encyclopedia with collaborative articles on a wide range of topics Search engine that retrieves information from the Internet
Content Type Articles, images, and multimedia Web pages, images, videos, news, etc.
Content Quality Varied, includes reliable and unreliable info; strives for accuracy and verifiable sources Varies depending on the source
Advertising Non-profit, no advertising Generates revenue through ads and services
Control over Content Can control content by quick sensing; edits and revisions are tracked No control over content; indexes and ranks web content
Founded by Jimmy Wales and Larry Sanger Larry Page and Sergey Brin
Founded in 2001 1998
Language Offers articles in multiple languages Supports multiple languages for search queries
Accessibility Can be accessed directly or through search engines like Google Can only be accessed through search engines like Google, Yahoo, Bing, etc.

In conclusion, Google is a search engine that retrieves information from the Internet, while Wikipedia is an online encyclopedia where individuals collaborate to develop and curate articles on a wide range of subjects.