Understanding the Differences: Wikidata vs Freebase

Wikidata and Freebase are both formidable knowledge bases, yet they exhibit significant disparities in their design, management, and usage. While both aim to provide structured data for various applications, they differ in several critical aspects. This article will explore the key distinctions between these two projects and highlight their unique characteristics.

Ownership and Maintenance

Wikidata: (Ownership: The Wikimedia Foundation, Maintenance: Volunteers): Wikidata is a project of the Wikimedia Foundation, the same organization that runs Wikipedia. Unlike Freebase, which was more of a closed system, Wikidata operates on a collaborative model. It is regularly edited by volunteers, making it a living and evolving resource.

Freebase: (Ownership: Metaweb, later Google, Maintenance: Google): Freebase was initially developed by Metaweb and later acquired by Google in 2010. The project saw little development after the acquisition, and finally, in 2014, it was discontinued, with its data being migrated to Wikidata. Freebase operated under a more structured and less open approach, which limited its community contributions and evolution.

Data Model

Wikidata: (Data Model: Graph-Based): Wikidata utilizes a graph-based data model, which allows for complex relationships and hierarchies. This model provides a flexible and scalable framework that supports a wide range of applications. Entities are interconnected through properties and statements, enabling rich and detailed information to be stored and retrieved.

Freebase: (Data Model: Graph-Based with Fixed Schema): Freebase also adopted a graph-based structure, but it had a more rigid schema that limited the flexibility and adaptability of the data. While this provided a clear structure, it also restricted the ability to expand and modify data as freely as in Wikidata.

Openness and Licensing

Wikidata: (Licensing: Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication (CC0)): All data in Wikidata is openly licensed under CC0, allowing for unrestricted use, modification, and distribution. This open nature not only facilitates wider community participation but also ensures that the data is freely accessible to developers, researchers, and educators around the world.

Freebase: (Licensing: Creative Commons Attribution License): Freebase data was available under a Creative Commons Attribution License, which required users to attribute the source of the data. This licensing, while promoting data usage, was more restrictive compared to the broader CC0 license of Wikidata, limiting the extent of how the data could be freely utilized.

Community Contributions and Integration

Wikidata: (Community Contributions: Highly Community-Driven): Wikidata thrives on community-driven contributions. It is not just a repository but a living and evolving project. The collaborative environment encourages users from all over the world to add, edit, and maintain the data, making it a vital and dynamic resource.

Freebase: (Community Contributions: Less Community-Driven): Freebase, while allowing user contributions, had a more top-down management approach, with fewer contributions coming from the community. This less collaborative model led to less frequent updates and a more static database.

Integration with Google and Other Projects

Wikidata: (Integration: Central Repository for Wikimedia Projects): Wikidata serves as a central repository for structured data across all Wikimedia projects, enhancing the interconnectedness of information. This integration strengthens the value and utility of the data, making it a core component of the Wikimedia ecosystem.

Freebase: (Integration: Google’s Knowledge Graph): After the acquisition by Google, Freebase data was heavily integrated into Google’s Knowledge Graph. This integration not only enriched Google’s search results but also expanded the scope of its services, making Freebase data a critical component of Google’s online presence and operations.

Summary

In summary, Wikidata and Freebase are both valuable knowledge bases, but they differ significantly in their open nature, community-driven contributions, and data models. While Freebase was a structured and integrated knowledge base, Wikidata stands out as a more dynamic, open, and evolving resource. The transition of Freebase data to Wikidata underscores the latter's robust and adaptable nature, ensuring its continued relevance in the digital age.