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Encyclopedia.com
What it is
Encyclopedia.com is a free web reference service that brings together entries from published reference works, including Oxford University Press and Columbia Encyclopedia. The site states that its collection contains over 300,000 entries and more than 50,000 topic summaries, with related pictures, videos, and newspaper and magazine articles. Users can search across more than 200 encyclopedias and reference books by keyword or browse alphabetically. Search results are ordered by relevance according to how often a search term appears in an article. The site says partner content is continually updated, and its FAQ gives citation details for The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition, including publication information from 2008. Its privacy policy also refers to a mobile application named “Encyclopedia.” Terms allow searching, displaying, downloading, and printing for personal use, while prohibiting systematic downloads or scraping without permission. The privacy policy describes collection of account, device, browsing, cookie, and session information, as well as an advertising relationship with CMI Marketing, doing business as CafeMedia.
For and against
For
- Free plan with over 300,000 reference entries
- More than 50,000 topic summaries with multimedia
- Keyword search and alphabetical browsing
- Content is continually updated from partners
Against
- Terms restrict use to personal purposes
- Systematic downloading or scraping requires permission
- Search ranking reflects term frequency in articles
The verdict
Encyclopedia.com combines a large reference collection with topic summaries and several ways to find material. Readers should note the personal-use restriction and the information described in the privacy policy before using the service.
Who it suits
It suits readers looking up general reference topics or seeking source entries from published encyclopedias. Researchers who need citation information for The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition can consult the FAQ details.
Plans and prices
Free
over 300,000 reference entries · over 50,000 topic summaries · personal use only
Read 15 Oct 2026 · encyclopedia.com
On the record
- Acquisition news
- Library Technology reports that Gale acquired HighBeam Research, the producer of Encyclopedia.com, on December 16, 2008, with operations remaining in Chicago and financial terms undisclosed.librarytechnology.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Advertising
- The privacy policy says the site is affiliated with CMI Marketing, doing business as CafeMedia, for advertising placement and data use.encyclopedia.com · read 1 Oct 2026
- Apple app complaint
- Apple reviewers complained about frequent advertisements, long ad blocks, weak search, and alleged data-mining concerns.apps.apple.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- App-store listing distinction
- The Apple App Store listing named “Encyclopedia: 25,000+ topic” identifies Anas Almomany, rather than Encyclopedia.com, as developer.apps.apple.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Audience claim
- The homepage says top universities and institutions use Encyclopedia.com for research.encyclopedia.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Automation restriction
- The terms prohibit crawlers, bots, scraping, and systematic extraction from HTML or the XML interface without written permission.encyclopedia.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Citation support
- The FAQ provides citation details for The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition, including its 2008 publication information.encyclopedia.com · read 1 Oct 2026
- Content maintenance
- Encyclopedia.com says partner content is continually updated.encyclopedia.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Content partners
- The site identifies Oxford University Press and Columbia Encyclopedia among its published-source partners.encyclopedia.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Content updates
- Encyclopedia.com says it continually updates content from its partners.encyclopedia.com · read 1 Oct 2026
- Developer access
- The terms mention an XML interface but require written permission for automated access; no public SDK or developer program is described there.encyclopedia.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Free content
- The about page advertises free access to more than 300,000 reference entries.encyclopedia.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Google app complaints
- Google Play reviewers criticized missing detail, poor interface design, limited visuals, and allegedly biased or false information.play.google.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Google app features
- The Farlex app listing describes definitions, images, audio pronunciations, bookmarks, voice search, advanced search, and sharing.play.google.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Google Play listing distinction
- Google Play lists “Encyclopedia by Farlex” from TheFreeDictionary.com–Farlex, a separate developer from Encyclopedia.com.play.google.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Historical launch
- Wikipedia records Encyclopedia.com as launched by Infonautics in March 1998.en.wikipedia.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Independent company listing
- Siteencyclopedia lists HighBeam Research, Inc. as owner, with a Chicago, Illinois address and a 1998 start date.siteencyclopedia.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Licence
- The terms describe service content and tools as copyrighted or otherwise proprietary and owned, controlled, or licensed by Encyclopedia.com or licensors.encyclopedia.com · read 15 Oct 2026
