How To Change a Photo in a Knowledge Panel

Challenge

In late 2023, Kalicube’s proactive monitoring system, Safeguard, detected a photo change in Jonathan Cronstedt’s Knowledge Panel. An incorrect photo in their Knowledge Panel isn’t just frustrating for business leaders – it threatens their market position and credibility. Every day, potential investors, partners, and clients make snap judgments based on these images, and a misaligned photo can derail million-dollar opportunities before you even know they exist. Thanks to our continuous monitoring, we identified and replaced the image in JCron’s Knowledge Panel in 16 days – before it impacted his business opportunities or reputation.

Jonathan Cronstedt, also known as JCron, is an investor, advisor, and author – and has been a Kalicube client since 2012. JCron initially approached Kalicube to help reposition his personal brand. He aimed to transition his market perception from President of Kajabi (a role synonymous with his name) to reflect his new investment and advisory services ventures while maintaining his board director position at Kajabi. Jonathan has the Safeguard Plan, which means we could protect him. Using the historical data showing the daily changes to Jonathan’s Knowledge Panel, we could engineer the correct solution quickly using the data and our experience. 

Solution

As an existing Kalicube client with a well-established Knowledge Panel, JCron benefited from Kalicube’s:

Data Advantage

• Historical Data Tracking: We monitor our clients’ Knowledge Panels and Brand SERPs daily using our in-house software, Kalicube Pro.
• Brand Safeguard Plan: Safeguard alerts us within 24 hours of any changes, such as a photo change. Because we have historical data, we can act with certainty.
• Pattern Recognition: Drawing from an analysis of over 50 million Knowledge Panels and niche digital brand intelligence, our team identified precise reasons why Google changed its image.
• Strategic Implementation: We used data-informed decisions rather than guesswork to implement the changes needed to change the image in Jonathan’s Knowledge Panel.

Established Foundation

• Jonathan has completed Phases One and Two of The Kalicube Process, which means his Knowledge Panel has already been optimized and is stable.
• Our Safeguard Brand Protection plan allowed Kalicube to detect the issue immediately.
• Kalicube’s comprehensive understanding of his digital footprint enabled quick action to replace the photo.

Process

1. Initial Analysis (October 21, 2023) 

• Used historical data to trace when the incorrect image first appeared
• Identified the Medium article as the source Google was prioritizing
• Analyzed patterns in Google’s image selection criteria
• Evaluated potential impact on JCron’s digital presence

2. Strategic Planning (October 23, 2023)

• Team collaboration to evaluate historical data
• Assessment of similar cases from our extensive database
• Development of a precise action plan based on proven strategies
• Communication of strategy to Jonathan

3. Implementation (October 28, 2023)

• Strategic modification of JCron’s images and brand presence
• Established a two-week monitoring period
• Continuous tracking of Google’s response to changes

Outcome

Google updated JCron’s Knowledge Panel with the correct photo on 16 November 2023. Just 16 days later. Trying to change an image without historical data could take weeks or months. Google employees can’t change an image in Knowledge Panels. Even if they could, the algorithms would override the decision because a Knowledge Panel is Google’s factual representation of its opinion about a personal brand. 

This rapid resolution was possible because:

• JCron’s Knowledge Panel was already optimized with Kalicube
• Our historical data allowed precise solution identification
• Safeguard alerted us immediately, and our experienced team rolled out the solution

DIY Changing a Knowledge Panel Photo 

• Find the source from which Google is drawing the photo and the day it changed (exceedingly difficult unless you check your Knowledge Panel daily).
• Identify the marketing activities you implemented on that day and the days previously that could have changed the algorithm’s understanding.
• Check for any Google Knowledge Graph updates and whether they could impact your Knowledge Panel.
• Assess whether the source is new information that Google algorithms recently added to the Knowledge Graph.
• Once you’ve found the source from which Google draws the photo, change the image to a high-resolution image representing your brand.
• PRO TIP: When using images in your marketing activities, always describe what’s in the image using Alt Text, title, and a caption. If it is a photo of you, put your name in the Alt Text, title, and caption. Write “Stock Photo” in the Alt Text, title, and caption if it is a stock photo. If it isn’t you, be clear about what it is.
• If the image is controlled by someone else
  • Request changes: ask the owner to change the image or request the image be clarified with Alt Text, title, and caption updated for clarity)
  • If you cannot control the source of the image, download our DIY Personal Brand Guide and follow the steps in Phase One: Understanding. The image is incorrect because Google doesn’t understand who you are, what you do, and who you serve. To change the image, you must perfect Google’s understanding of your brand and bolster its confidence in your brand.

Changing a Knowledge Panel Photo with Kalicube

If you’re concerned about an image in your Knowledge Panel, Kalicube is the world leader in digital brand intelligence. The Kalicube Process is a digital marketing strategy designed to position your brand in front of your ideal audience and educate algorithms and AI. It consists of three phases, and phase one is understandability, which is essential for changing a Knowledge Panel image. 

Phase One:

• Establishes control over your digital presence
• Provides the foundation needed for successful photo changes and any other Knowledge Panel changes
• Creates the tracking framework for long-term brand protection

Maintaining Control: Brand Safeguard

After successfully changing a Knowledge Panel photo, maintaining control is crucial. Through our Brand Safeguard Package, clients receive:

• 24/7 monitoring of their digital presence
• Alert system for any changes (positive or negative) within 24 hours
• Data-driven solutions when issues arise
• Protection against algorithm updates
• Rapid response to any marketing activities that affect their representation

The ROI of Brand Protection

Investing in Knowledge Panel control through Kalicube delivers measurable returns:

• Transform missed opportunities into million-dollar deals
• Turn digital presence into your most powerful business asset
• Dominate your space when decision-makers search
• Maintenance of market position and authority
• Peace of mind that your digital presence is opening doors, not quietly closing them

Conclusion

The successful resolution of JCron’s Knowledge Panel photo issue demonstrates why proactive digital brand management is crucial for business leaders. Your digital presence either opens doors to opportunities or quietly closes them. An incorrect photo in your Knowledge Panel isn’t a minor inconvenience – it directly threatens your business credibility and market position. When decision-makers research you for million-dollar deals, that photo is often their first impression of you as a leader. 

Key Takeaways:

• Speed matters: Resolution in 16 days versus resolution in months without the benefit of Kalicube’s historical data.
• The foundation is crucial: Phase One of The Kalicube Process enables quick fixes.
• Proactive monitoring prevents business impact: Issues caught before affecting opportunities.
• Long-term protection: Brand Safeguard ensures continued accurate representation.

The Bigger Picture

For business leaders, investors, and entrepreneurs, controlling your digital presence isn’t optional—it’s essential for success. JCron’s case shows that having the right partner with proven processes, expertise, and a unique and irreplicable data set makes the difference between hoping your digital presence is working for you and knowing it is working for you 24/7.

Next Steps

If you’re concerned about how your Knowledge Panel represents you to decision-makers, or if you want to ensure your digital presence is protected:

1. Complete Phase One of The Kalicube Process to establish control.
2. Consider Brand Safeguard for ongoing protection.
3. Join business leaders like JCron who ensure their digital presence drives opportunities rather than limiting them.

Contact Kalicube to learn how we can help you take control of your digital presence and protect your business opportunities.