# Freebase

> online knowledge base (2007–2016)

**Wikidata**: [Q1453477](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1453477)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freebase_(database))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/freebase

## Summary
Freebase was an online knowledge base (2007–2016) developed by Metaweb, a company founded in 2005. It served as a structured repository of semantic data, accessible via a network, and was notable for its role in early knowledge graph technology.

## Key Facts
- **Inception**: Launched in March 2007.
- **End Time**: Shut down on May 2, 2016.
- **Ownership**: Operated by Metaweb, a company based in the United States with headquarters in San Francisco.
- **Type**: Online database and semantic wiki, structured as a knowledge graph.
- **License**: Released under the Apache License.
- **Related Fields**: Academic discipline and field of study, particularly in data management and semantic technologies.
- **Sitelink Count**: 23 (indicating its presence across multiple language editions of Wikipedia).

## FAQs
- **What was Freebase used for?** Freebase was a collaborative knowledge base that structured data semantically, allowing for machine-readable information. It was used to support applications requiring structured data, such as search engines and AI systems.
- **Who owned Freebase?** Freebase was owned and operated by Metaweb, a company founded in 2005. Metaweb was based in the United States, with its headquarters in San Francisco.
- **What happened to Freebase?** Freebase was shut down on May 2, 2016. Its data was later integrated into Wikipedia and other knowledge repositories.
- **Was Freebase open-source?** Yes, Freebase was released under the Apache License, making its data and tools freely available for use and modification.
- **What was Freebase’s relationship to knowledge graphs?** Freebase was an early example of a knowledge graph, a structured information repository that predated modern graph databases by decades.

## Why It Matters
Freebase played a pivotal role in the development of knowledge graph technology, which became foundational for modern AI and semantic search. Its structured data model allowed for more efficient data integration across applications, influencing later projects like Google’s Knowledge Graph and Wikipedia’s data infrastructure. By providing a collaborative platform for semantic data, Freebase enabled developers to build smarter applications that could understand and process information more effectively. Its shutdown in 2016 marked the end of an era in structured data management, though its legacy lived on in the data it contributed to Wikipedia and other knowledge repositories.

## Notable For
- **Early Knowledge Graph**: Freebase was one of the first large-scale knowledge graphs, predating modern graph databases by over a decade.
- **Semantic Data Collaboration**: It allowed users to contribute structured data, fostering a community-driven approach to knowledge organization.
- **Integration with Wikipedia**: After its shutdown, Freebase’s data was merged into Wikipedia, enriching its semantic capabilities.
- **Apache License Release**: Its open-source licensing made its tools and data widely accessible, influencing open data initiatives.
- **Metaweb’s Innovation**: Freebase was developed by Metaweb, a company that later contributed to the rise of semantic technologies and AI-driven applications.

## Body
### History
Freebase was launched in March 2007 by Metaweb, a company founded in 2005. It was designed as a collaborative knowledge base, allowing users to contribute structured data in a semantic format. The project aimed to create a more organized and machine-readable repository of information, distinct from traditional wikis. Freebase’s shutdown was announced on May 2, 2016, after nearly a decade of operation. Its data was later integrated into Wikipedia and other knowledge repositories, ensuring its legacy continued.

### Ownership and Operation
Freebase was owned and operated by Metaweb, a company based in the United States. Metaweb was headquartered in San Francisco and operated in the technology industry. The company was founded in 2005, with a focus on developing semantic technologies and data management solutions. Metaweb’s work on Freebase was a key contribution to the field of knowledge graphs and semantic data.

### Technology and Structure
Freebase was structured as a knowledge graph, a type of information repository that organizes data in a graph format. This allowed for more complex relationships between data points, making it easier to query and analyze. Freebase also functioned as a semantic wiki, meaning its underlying data model was designed to represent the knowledge it contained. The platform was accessible via a network, including the internet, making it a widely used resource for developers and researchers.

### Related Projects and Influences
Freebase was related to several other projects and concepts in the field of data management and semantic technologies. It was connected to the broader category of online databases, which are accessible from networks, including the internet. Freebase also shared similarities with data libraries, collections of data sets used for research. Its work in semantic data influenced academic disciplines and fields of study related to data management and AI.

### Legacy and Impact
Freebase’s legacy includes its role in the development of knowledge graph technology, which is now a cornerstone of modern AI and semantic search. Its data was integrated into Wikipedia, enriching the platform’s semantic capabilities. Freebase’s open-source release under the Apache License made its tools and data widely available, influencing open data initiatives. The project’s shutdown marked the end of an era in structured data management, but its influence persisted in the technologies that succeeded it.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.freebase.com/m/021ympy)
2. Knowledge Graph and Text Jointly Embedding
3. [Open Access Directory](https://web.archive.org/web/20191117172926/http://oad.simmons.edu/oadwiki/Data_repositories)
4. [Source](https://marketplace.sshopencloud.eu/tool-or-service/FmChcn)
5. [Source](https://tapor.ca/tools/1302)
6. [Source](https://api.github.com/repos/google/graphd)
7. [2016](https://groups.google.com/forum/#!msg/freebase-discuss/WEnyO8f7xOQ/VucJKFVhBAAJ)
8. [Alexa Internet](https://www.alexa.com/siteinfo/freebase.com)