How are people getting a google knowledge panel in 2026?

you can't apply for one, it appears when google is confident your business or person is a distinct entity. so the work is making that unambiguous: a clear about page with the same name, description, and founding details used everywhere, organization schema on the site with sameAs pointing at your official profiles, a wikidata entry (wikipedia is harder and not required), and consistent listings on linkedin, crunchbase, that sort of thing. then when a panel shows up, click "claim this knowledge panel" and verify. if it's a local business with a map pin, that's a business profile, a different thing and much easier.