<PAGE>

     As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 27, 2000

                                                      Registration No. 333-

================================================================================

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549
                                   ----------
                                    FORM S-8
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                      UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                                   ----------
                            KANA COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
            DELAWARE                                      77-0435679
  (State or other jurisdiction                 (IRS Employer Identification No.)
of incorporation or organization)

                                  740 BAY ROAD
                         REDWOOD CITY, CALIFORNIA 94063
               (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

           SILKNET SOFTWARE, INC. 1999 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN(1)
      SILKNET SOFTWARE, INC. 1999 STOCK OPTION AND STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN(1)
     SILKNET SOFTWARE, INC. 1999 NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR STOCK OPTION PLAN(1)
              SILKNET SOFTWARE, INC. EMPLOYEE STOCK OPTION PLAN(1)
           INSITE MARKETING TECHNOLOGY, INC. 1997 STOCK OPTION PLAN(1)
                            (Full title of the Plans)
                                   ----------
                              MICHAEL J. MCCLOSKEY
                             CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
                            KANA COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
                                  740 BAY ROAD
                         REDWOOD CITY, CALIFORNIA 94063
                     (Name and address of agent for service)
                                 (650) 298-9282
          (Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
                                   ----------
                         CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

================================================================================
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                        Proposed            Proposed
             Title of                                   Maximum             Maximum
            Securities                   Amount         Offering            Aggregate         Amount of
              to be                      to be           Price              Offering        Registration
            Registered               Registered(2)      per Share             Price              Fee
            ----------             -----------------  -------------     ------------------  ------------
<S>                                <C>                <C>               <C>                  <C>
 SILKNET SOFTWARE, INC. 1999
 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN          50,000 shares     $34.40(4)      $ 1,720,000(4)       $   454.08
 ----------------------------
 Common Stock, $0.001 par value

 SILKNET SOFTWARE, INC. 1999
 STOCK OPTION AND STOCK
 INCENTIVE PLAN                     1,710,000 shares     $34.93(3)      $59,730,300(3)       $15,768.79
 --------------
 Common Stock, $0.001 par value

 SILKNET SOFTWARE, INC. 1999
 NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR STOCK           83,000 shares     $15.12(3)      $ 1,254,960(3)       $   331.30
 OPTION PLAN
 -----------
 Common Stock, $0.001 par value

 SILKNET SOFTWARE, INC. EMPLOYEE
 STOCK OPTION PLAN                  1,840,000 shares     $ 1.28(3)      $ 2,355,200(3)       $   621.77
 -----------------
 Common Stock, $0.001 par value

 INSITE MARKETING TECHNOLOGY,
 INC. 1997 STOCK OPTION PLAN           57,500 shares     $ 1.36(3)      $    78,200(3)       $    20.64
 ---------------------------
 Common Stock, $0.001 par value

 ============================================================================================================
                                                                   Aggregate Registration Fee:  $17,196.59
 ============================================================================================================
</TABLE>
(1)  Each of the Plans was assumed by Registrant in connection with Registrant's
     acquisition of Silknet Software, Inc. pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of
     Reorganization dated February 6, 2000.

(2)  This Registration Statement shall also cover any additional shares of the
<PAGE>

     Registrant's Common Stock which become issuable under the Silknet Software,
     Inc. 1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, the Silknet Software, Inc. 1999
     Stock Option and Stock Incentive Plan, the Silknet Software, Inc. 1999
     Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan, the Silknet Software, Inc.
     Employee Stock Option Plan and/or the Insite Marketing Technology, Inc.
     1997 Stock Option Plan with respect to the securities registered hereunder
     by reason of any stock dividend, stock split, recapitalization or other
     similar transaction effected without the Registrant's receipt of
     consideration which results in an increase in the number of the
     Registrant's outstanding shares of Common Stock.

(3)  Calculated solely for purposes of this offering under Rule 457(h) of the
     Securities Act of 1933, as amended, on the basis of the weighted average
     exercise price of the outstanding options under the assumed Plans.

(4)  Calculated solely for purposes of this offering under Rule 457(h) of the
     Securities Act of 1933, as amended, on the basis of the average of the
     high and low selling price per share of the Registrant's Common Stock on
     April 24, 2000, as reported by the Nasdaq National Market.


<PAGE>

                                     PART II

               INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT

ITEM 3.  INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

          Kana Communications, Inc. (the "Registrant") hereby incorporates by
reference into this Registration Statement the following documents previously
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"):

     (a)  The Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
          December 31, 1999 filed with the Commission on March 30, 2000 pursuant
           to Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
          "1934 Act");

     (b)  The Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 6, 2000, as
          filed with the Commission on February 7, 2000 and as amended on
          February 14, 2000, the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K
          dated March 29, 2000, as filed with the Commission on March 29, 2000
          and as amended on March 30, 2000 and the Registrant's Current Report
          on Form 8-K dated April 19, 2000, as filed with the Commission on
          April 24, 2000;

     (c)  The Registrant's joint Proxy Statement and Prospectus on Form S-4
          filed with the Commission on March 14, 2000, as amended on Form S-4/A
          on March 22, 2000, in connection with the Registrant's acquisition of
          Silknet Software, Inc.; and

     (d)  The Registrant's Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the
          Commission on August 27, 1999, in which there is described the terms,
          rights and provisions applicable to the Registrant's Common Stock.

          All reports and definitive proxy or information statements filed
pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended (the "1934 Act"), after the date of this Registration Statement
and prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all
securities offered hereby have been sold or which de-registers all securities
then remaining unsold shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this
Registration Statement and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of such
documents. Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be
incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded
for purposes of this Registration Statement to the extent that a statement
contained herein or in any subsequently filed document which also is deemed to
be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any
such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so
modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Registration Statement.

ITEM 4.  DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES

          Not Applicable.

ITEM 5.  INTERESTS OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL

          Not Applicable.

ITEM 6.  INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

          Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law authorizes a court
to award or a corporation's board of directors to grant indemnification to
directors and officers in terms sufficiently broad to permit this
indemnification under certain circumstances for liabilities (including
reimbursement for expenses incurred) arising under the 1933 Act. Article VII,
Section 6 of the Registrant's Bylaws provides for mandatory indemnification of
its directors and executive officers and permissible indemnification of
employees and other agents to the maximum extent permitted by the Delaware
General Corporation Law. The Registrant's Certificate of Incorporation provides
that, subject to Delaware law, its directors will not be personally liable for
monetary damages for breach of their fiduciary duty as directors to the
Registrant and its stockholders. This provision in the Certificate of
Incorporation does not eliminate the director's fiduciary duty, and in
appropriate circumstances equitable remedies such as injunctive or other forms
of non-monetary relief will remain available under Delaware


                                      II-1
<PAGE>

law. In addition, each director will continue to be subject to liability for
breach of his or her duty of loyalty to the Registrant or its stockholders, for
acts or omissions not in good faith or involving intentional misconduct, for
knowing violations of law, for actions leading to improper personal benefit to
the director, and for payment of dividends or approval of stock repurchases or
redemptions that are unlawful under Delaware law. The provision also does not
affect a director's responsibilities under any other law, such as the federal
securities laws or state or federal environmental laws. The Registrant has
entered into indemnification agreements with its officers and directors, a form
of which has been filed with the Commission as an Exhibit to the Registrant's
Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-82587), as amended (the
"Indemnification Agreements"). The Indemnification Agreements provide the
Registrant's executive officers and directors with further indemnification to
the maximum extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law. Reference
is also made to Section 8 of the Underwriting Agreement contained in Exhibit 1.1
of the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-82587), as
amended, indemnifying officers and directors of the Registrant against certain
liabilities, and Section 1.10 of the Third Amended and Restated Investors'
Rights Agreement contained in Exhibit 4.2 of the Registrant's Registration
Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-82587), as amended, indemnifying certain of the
Registrant's stockholders, including controlling stockholders, against certain
liabilities.

ITEM 7.  EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION CLAIMED

          Not Applicable.

ITEM 8.  EXHIBITS

EXHIBIT NUMBER       EXHIBIT

  4                  Instruments Defining the Rights of Stockholders.
                     Reference is made to Registrant's Registration Statement on
                     Form 8-A, together with any amendments and exhibits
                     thereto, which are incorporated  herein by reference
                     pursuant to Item 3(d).
  5.1                Opinion and Consent of Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison LLP.
  23.1               Consent of KPMG LLP, Independent Auditors.
  23.2               Consent of Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison LLP is contained in
                     Exhibit 5.1.
  24                 Power of Attorney. Reference is made to page II-4 of this
                     Registration Statement.
  99.1               Silknet Software, Inc. 1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
  99.2               Silknet Software, Inc. 1999 Stock Option and Stock
                     Incentive Plan.
  99.3               Silknet Software, Inc. 1999 Non-Employee Director Stock
                     Option Plan.
  99.4               Silknet Software, Inc. Employee Stock Option Plan.
  99.5               Insite Marketing Technology, Inc. 1997 Stock Option Plan.
  99.6               Form of Option Assumption Agreement.
  99.7               Form of Option Assumption Agreement-Acceleration.

ITEM 9.  UNDERTAKINGS

          A. The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes: (1) to file, during
any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment
to this Registration Statement: (i) to include any prospectus required by
Section 10(a)(3) of the 1933 Act, (ii) to reflect in the prospectus any facts or
events arising after the effective date of this Registration Statement (or the
most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the
aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in this
Registration Statement and (iii) to include any material information with
respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in this
Registration Statement or any material change to such information in this
Registration Statement; provided, however, that clauses (1)(i) and (1)(ii) shall
not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective
amendment by those clauses is contained in periodic reports filed by the
Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the 1934 Act that are
incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement; (2) that for the
purpose of determining any liability under the 1933 Act each such post-effective
amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the
securities offered therein and the offering of such securities at that time
shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof; and (3) to remove
from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities
being registered hereunder which remain unsold upon the termination of the
Silknet Software, Inc. 1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, the Silknet Software,
Inc. 1999 Stock Option and Stock Incentive Plan, the Silknet Software, Inc. 1999
Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan, the Silknet Software, Inc. Employee
Stock Option Plan and/or the Insite Marketing Technology, Inc. 1997 Stock Option
Plan,


                                      II-2
<PAGE>

as each of those plans have been assumed by the Registrant in connection with
its acquisition of Silknet Software, Inc.

          B. The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the 1933 Act, each filing of the Registrant's
annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the 1934 Act that is
incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement shall be deemed to be
a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.

          C. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the 1933
Act may be permitted to directors, officers or controlling persons of the
Registrant pursuant to the indemnification provisions summarized in Item 6 or
otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that, in the opinion of the
Commission, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the
1933 Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for
indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the
Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer, or controlling
person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or
proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in
connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in
the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent,
submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such
indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the 1933 Act and
will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.


                                      II-3
<PAGE>

                                   SIGNATURES

          Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that
it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8, and has duly caused
this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Redwood City, State of California on
this 19th day of April, 2000.

                                            KANA COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

                                            By:/s/ Michael J. McCloskey
                                               --------------------------------
                                                   Michael J. McCloskey
                                                   Chief Executive Officer

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

          KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature
appears below constitutes and appoints Michael J. McCloskey, Mark S. Gainey and
Brian K. Allen, and each of them, as such person's true and lawful
attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and
resubstitution, for such person and in such person's name, place and stead, in
any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective
amendments) to this Registration Statement, and to file same, with all exhibits
thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each
of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing
requisite and necessary to be done in connection therewith, as fully to all
intents and purposes as such person might or could do in person, hereby
ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of
them, or their or his or her substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by
virtue thereof.

          Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following
persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates
indicated:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

SIGNATURE                              TITLE                                     DATE
---------                              -----                                     ----
<S>                                    <C>                                   <C>

/s/ Michael J. McCloskey

--------------------------             Chief Executive Officer and           April 19, 2000
Michael J. McCloskey                   Director (Principal Executive
                                       Officer)


/s/ Brian K. Allen

--------------------------             Chief Financial Officer               April 19, 2000
Brian K. Allen                         (Principal Financial and
                                       Accounting Officer)


/s/ Mark S. Gainey

--------------------------             President and Chairman of             April 19, 2000
Mark S. Gainey                         the Board of Directors


/s/ James C. Wood

--------------------------             President and CEO of                  April 19, 2000
James C. Wood                          Silknet Software, Inc., Director
</TABLE>


                                      II-4
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

<S>                                    <C>                                   <C>
/s/ David M. Beirne

--------------------------             Director                              April 19, 2000
David M. Beirne


/s/ Robert W. Frick

--------------------------             Director                              April 19, 2000
Robert W. Frick


/s/ Eric A. Hahn

--------------------------             Director                              April 19, 2000
Eric A. Hahn


/s/ Dr. Charles A. Holloway

--------------------------             Director                              April 19, 2000
Dr. Charles A. Holloway


/s/ Steven T. Jurvetson

--------------------------             Director                              April 19, 2000
Steven T. Jurvetson


/s/ Ariel Poler

--------------------------             Director                              April 19, 2000
Ariel Poler
</TABLE>


                                      II-5
<PAGE>

                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

EXHIBIT NUMBER        EXHIBIT

  4                   Instruments Defining the Rights of Stockholders. Reference
                      is made to Registrant's Registration Statement on Form
                      8-A, together with any amendments and exhibits thereto,
                      which are incorporated herein by reference pursuant to
                      Item 3(d).
  5.1                 Opinion and Consent of Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison LLP.
  23.1                Consent of KPMG LLP, Independent Auditors.
  23.2                Consent of Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison LLP is contained in
                      Exhibit 5.1.
  24                  Power of Attorney. Reference is made to page II-4 of this
                      Registration Statement.
  99.1                Silknet Software, Inc. 1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
  99.2                Silknet Software, Inc. 1999 Stock Option and Stock
                      Incentive Plan.
  99.3                Silknet Software, Inc. 1999 Non-Employee Director Stock
                      Option Plan.
  99.4                Silknet Software, Inc. Employee Stock Option Plan.
  99.5                Insite Marketing Technology, Inc. 1997 Stock Option Plan.
  99.6                Form of Option Assumption Agreement.
  99.7                Form of Option Assumption Agreement-Acceleration.
[{"type": "S-8", "sequence": "1", "description": "FORM S-8", "secsgml_size_bytes": 22498}]
{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "KANA COMMUNICATIONS INC", "cik": "0001089907", "assigned-sic": "7389", "irs-number": "770435679", "state-of-incorporation": "DE", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-35730", "film-number": "610348"}, "business-address": {"street1": "740 BAY RD", "city": "REDWOOD CITY", "state": "CA", "zip": "94063", "phone": "6503259850"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "740 BAY RD", "city": "REDWOOD CITY", "state": "CA", "zip": "94063"}}
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 27, 2000

                                                      Registration No. 333-

================================================================================

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549
                                   ----------
                                    FORM S-8
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                      UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                                   ----------
                            KANA COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
            DELAWARE                                      77-0435679
  (State or other jurisdiction                 (IRS Employer Identification No.)
of incorporation or organization)

                                  740 BAY ROAD
                         REDWOOD CITY, CALIFORNIA 94063
               (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

           SILKNET SOFTWARE, INC. 1999 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN(1)
      SILKNET SOFTWARE, INC. 1999 STOCK OPTION AND STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN(1)
     SILKNET SOFTWARE, INC. 1999 NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR STOCK OPTION PLAN(1)
              SILKNET SOFTWARE, INC. EMPLOYEE STOCK OPTION PLAN(1)
           INSITE MARKETING TECHNOLOGY, INC. 1997 STOCK OPTION PLAN(1)
                            (Full title of the Plans)
                                   ----------
                              MICHAEL J. MCCLOSKEY
                             CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
                            KANA COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
                                  740 BAY ROAD
                         REDWOOD CITY, CALIFORNIA 94063
                     (Name and address of agent for service)
                                 (650) 298-9282
          (Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
                                   ----------
                         CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

================================================================================
Proposed            Proposed
             Title of                                   Maximum             Maximum
            Securities                   Amount         Offering            Aggregate         Amount of
              to be                      to be           Price              Offering        Registration
            Registered               Registered(2)      per Share             Price              Fee
            ----------             -----------------  -------------     ------------------  ------------
SILKNET SOFTWARE, INC. 1999
 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN          50,000 shares     $34.40(4)      $ 1,720,000(4)       $   454.08
 ----------------------------
 Common Stock, $0.001 par value

 SILKNET SOFTWARE, INC. 1999
 STOCK OPTION AND STOCK
 INCENTIVE PLAN                     1,710,000 shares     $34.93(3)      $59,730,300(3)       $15,768.79
 --------------
 Common Stock, $0.001 par value

 SILKNET SOFTWARE, INC. 1999
 NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR STOCK           83,000 shares     $15.12(3)      $ 1,254,960(3)       $   331.30
 OPTION PLAN
 -----------
 Common Stock, $0.001 par value

 SILKNET SOFTWARE, INC. EMPLOYEE
 STOCK OPTION PLAN                  1,840,000 shares     $ 1.28(3)      $ 2,355,200(3)       $   621.77
 -----------------
 Common Stock, $0.001 par value

 INSITE MARKETING TECHNOLOGY,
 INC. 1997 STOCK OPTION PLAN           57,500 shares     $ 1.36(3)      $    78,200(3)       $    20.64
 ---------------------------
 Common Stock, $0.001 par value

 ============================================================================================================
                                                                   Aggregate Registration Fee:  $17,196.59
 ============================================================================================================
(1)  Each of the Plans was assumed by Registrant in connection with Registrant's
     acquisition of Silknet Software, Inc. pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of
     Reorganization dated February 6, 2000.

(2)  This Registration Statement shall also cover any additional shares of the
Registrant's Common Stock which become issuable under the Silknet Software,
     Inc. 1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, the Silknet Software, Inc. 1999
     Stock Option and Stock Incentive Plan, the Silknet Software, Inc. 1999
     Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan, the Silknet Software, Inc.
     Employee Stock Option Plan and/or the Insite Marketing Technology, Inc.
     1997 Stock Option Plan with respect to the securities registered hereunder
     by reason of any stock dividend, stock split, recapitalization or other
     similar transaction effected without the Registrant's receipt of
     consideration which results in an increase in the number of the
     Registrant's outstanding shares of Common Stock.

(3)  Calculated solely for purposes of this offering under Rule 457(h) of the
     Securities Act of 1933, as amended, on the basis of the weighted average
     exercise price of the outstanding options under the assumed Plans.

(4)  Calculated solely for purposes of this offering under Rule 457(h) of the
     Securities Act of 1933, as amended, on the basis of the average of the
     high and low selling price per share of the Registrant's Common Stock on
     April 24, 2000, as reported by the Nasdaq National Market.
PART II

               INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT

ITEM 3.  INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

          Kana Communications, Inc. (the "Registrant") hereby incorporates by
reference into this Registration Statement the following documents previously
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"):

     (a)  The Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
          December 31, 1999 filed with the Commission on March 30, 2000 pursuant
           to Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
          "1934 Act");

     (b)  The Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 6, 2000, as
          filed with the Commission on February 7, 2000 and as amended on
          February 14, 2000, the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K
          dated March 29, 2000, as filed with the Commission on March 29, 2000
          and as amended on March 30, 2000 and the Registrant's Current Report
          on Form 8-K dated April 19, 2000, as filed with the Commission on
          April 24, 2000;

     (c)  The Registrant's joint Proxy Statement and Prospectus on Form S-4
          filed with the Commission on March 14, 2000, as amended on Form S-4/A
          on March 22, 2000, in connection with the Registrant's acquisition of
          Silknet Software, Inc.; and

     (d)  The Registrant's Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the
          Commission on August 27, 1999, in which there is described the terms,
          rights and provisions applicable to the Registrant's Common Stock.

          All reports and definitive proxy or information statements filed
pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended (the "1934 Act"), after the date of this Registration Statement
and prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all
securities offered hereby have been sold or which de-registers all securities
then remaining unsold shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this
Registration Statement and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of such
documents. Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be
incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded
for purposes of this Registration Statement to the extent that a statement
contained herein or in any subsequently filed document which also is deemed to
be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any
such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so
modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Registration Statement.

ITEM 4.  DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES

          Not Applicable.

ITEM 5.  INTERESTS OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL

          Not Applicable.

ITEM 6.  INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

          Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law authorizes a court
to award or a corporation's board of directors to grant indemnification to
directors and officers in terms sufficiently broad to permit this
indemnification under certain circumstances for liabilities (including
reimbursement for expenses incurred) arising under the 1933 Act. Article VII,
Section 6 of the Registrant's Bylaws provides for mandatory indemnification of
its directors and executive officers and permissible indemnification of
employees and other agents to the maximum extent permitted by the Delaware
General Corporation Law. The Registrant's Certificate of Incorporation provides
that, subject to Delaware law, its directors will not be personally liable for
monetary damages for breach of their fiduciary duty as directors to the
Registrant and its stockholders. This provision in the Certificate of
Incorporation does not eliminate the director's fiduciary duty, and in
appropriate circumstances equitable remedies such as injunctive or other forms
of non-monetary relief will remain available under Delaware

                                      II-1
law. In addition, each director will continue to be subject to liability for
breach of his or her duty of loyalty to the Registrant or its stockholders, for
acts or omissions not in good faith or involving intentional misconduct, for
knowing violations of law, for actions leading to improper personal benefit to
the director, and for payment of dividends or approval of stock repurchases or
redemptions that are unlawful under Delaware law. The provision also does not
affect a director's responsibilities under any other law, such as the federal
securities laws or state or federal environmental laws. The Registrant has
entered into indemnification agreements with its officers and directors, a form
of which has been filed with the Commission as an Exhibit to the Registrant's
Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-82587), as amended (the
"Indemnification Agreements"). The Indemnification Agreements provide the
Registrant's executive officers and directors with further indemnification to
the maximum extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law. Reference
is also made to Section 8 of the Underwriting Agreement contained in Exhibit 1.1
of the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-82587), as
amended, indemnifying officers and directors of the Registrant against certain
liabilities, and Section 1.10 of the Third Amended and Restated Investors'
Rights Agreement contained in Exhibit 4.2 of the Registrant's Registration
Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-82587), as amended, indemnifying certain of the
Registrant's stockholders, including controlling stockholders, against certain
liabilities.

ITEM 7.  EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION CLAIMED

          Not Applicable.

ITEM 8.  EXHIBITS

EXHIBIT NUMBER       EXHIBIT

  4                  Instruments Defining the Rights of Stockholders.
                     Reference is made to Registrant's Registration Statement on
                     Form 8-A, together with any amendments and exhibits
                     thereto, which are incorporated  herein by reference
                     pursuant to Item 3(d).
  5.1                Opinion and Consent of Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison LLP.
  23.1               Consent of KPMG LLP, Independent Auditors.
  23.2               Consent of Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison LLP is contained in
                     Exhibit 5.1.
  24                 Power of Attorney. Reference is made to page II-4 of this
                     Registration Statement.
  99.1               Silknet Software, Inc. 1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
  99.2               Silknet Software, Inc. 1999 Stock Option and Stock
                     Incentive Plan.
  99.3               Silknet Software, Inc. 1999 Non-Employee Director Stock
                     Option Plan.
  99.4               Silknet Software, Inc. Employee Stock Option Plan.
  99.5               Insite Marketing Technology, Inc. 1997 Stock Option Plan.
  99.6               Form of Option Assumption Agreement.
  99.7               Form of Option Assumption Agreement-Acceleration.

ITEM 9.  UNDERTAKINGS

          A. The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes: (1) to file, during
any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment
to this Registration Statement: (i) to include any prospectus required by
Section 10(a)(3) of the 1933 Act, (ii) to reflect in the prospectus any facts or
events arising after the effective date of this Registration Statement (or the
most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the
aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in this
Registration Statement and (iii) to include any material information with
respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in this
Registration Statement or any material change to such information in this
Registration Statement; provided, however, that clauses (1)(i) and (1)(ii) shall
not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective
amendment by those clauses is contained in periodic reports filed by the
Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the 1934 Act that are
incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement; (2) that for the
purpose of determining any liability under the 1933 Act each such post-effective
amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the
securities offered therein and the offering of such securities at that time
shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof; and (3) to remove
from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities
being registered hereunder which remain unsold upon the termination of the
Silknet Software, Inc. 1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, the Silknet Software,
Inc. 1999 Stock Option and Stock Incentive Plan, the Silknet Software, Inc. 1999
Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan, the Silknet Software, Inc. Employee
Stock Option Plan and/or the Insite Marketing Technology, Inc. 1997 Stock Option
Plan,

                                      II-2
as each of those plans have been assumed by the Registrant in connection with
its acquisition of Silknet Software, Inc.

          B. The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the 1933 Act, each filing of the Registrant's
annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the 1934 Act that is
incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement shall be deemed to be
a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.

          C. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the 1933
Act may be permitted to directors, officers or controlling persons of the
Registrant pursuant to the indemnification provisions summarized in Item 6 or
otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that, in the opinion of the
Commission, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the
1933 Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for
indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the
Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer, or controlling
person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or
proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in
connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in
the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent,
submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such
indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the 1933 Act and
will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

                                      II-3
SIGNATURES

          Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that
it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8, and has duly caused
this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Redwood City, State of California on
this 19th day of April, 2000.

                                            KANA COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

                                            By:/s/ Michael J. McCloskey
                                               --------------------------------
                                                   Michael J. McCloskey
                                                   Chief Executive Officer

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

          KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature
appears below constitutes and appoints Michael J. McCloskey, Mark S. Gainey and
Brian K. Allen, and each of them, as such person's true and lawful
attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and
resubstitution, for such person and in such person's name, place and stead, in
any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective
amendments) to this Registration Statement, and to file same, with all exhibits
thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each
of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing
requisite and necessary to be done in connection therewith, as fully to all
intents and purposes as such person might or could do in person, hereby
ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of
them, or their or his or her substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by
virtue thereof.

          Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following
persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates
indicated:
SIGNATURE                              TITLE                                     DATE
---------                              -----                                     ----
/s/ Michael J. McCloskey

--------------------------             Chief Executive Officer and           April 19, 2000
Michael J. McCloskey                   Director (Principal Executive
                                       Officer)

/s/ Brian K. Allen

--------------------------             Chief Financial Officer               April 19, 2000
Brian K. Allen                         (Principal Financial and
                                       Accounting Officer)

/s/ Mark S. Gainey

--------------------------             President and Chairman of             April 19, 2000
Mark S. Gainey                         the Board of Directors

/s/ James C. Wood

--------------------------             President and CEO of                  April 19, 2000
James C. Wood                          Silknet Software, Inc., Director
II-4
/s/ David M. Beirne

--------------------------             Director                              April 19, 2000
David M. Beirne

/s/ Robert W. Frick

--------------------------             Director                              April 19, 2000
Robert W. Frick

/s/ Eric A. Hahn

--------------------------             Director                              April 19, 2000
Eric A. Hahn

/s/ Dr. Charles A. Holloway

--------------------------             Director                              April 19, 2000
Dr. Charles A. Holloway

/s/ Steven T. Jurvetson

--------------------------             Director                              April 19, 2000
Steven T. Jurvetson

/s/ Ariel Poler

--------------------------             Director                              April 19, 2000
Ariel Poler
II-5
EXHIBIT INDEX

EXHIBIT NUMBER        EXHIBIT

  4                   Instruments Defining the Rights of Stockholders. Reference
                      is made to Registrant's Registration Statement on Form
                      8-A, together with any amendments and exhibits thereto,
                      which are incorporated herein by reference pursuant to
                      Item 3(d).
  5.1                 Opinion and Consent of Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison LLP.
  23.1                Consent of KPMG LLP, Independent Auditors.
  23.2                Consent of Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison LLP is contained in
                      Exhibit 5.1.
  24                  Power of Attorney. Reference is made to page II-4 of this
                      Registration Statement.
  99.1                Silknet Software, Inc. 1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
  99.2                Silknet Software, Inc. 1999 Stock Option and Stock
                      Incentive Plan.
  99.3                Silknet Software, Inc. 1999 Non-Employee Director Stock
                      Option Plan.
  99.4                Silknet Software, Inc. Employee Stock Option Plan.
  99.5                Insite Marketing Technology, Inc. 1997 Stock Option Plan.
  99.6                Form of Option Assumption Agreement.
  99.7                Form of Option Assumption Agreement-Acceleration.