NotebookLM is an AI-powered tool from Google that helps you organize, analyze, and gain insights from documents and notes. Instead of relying solely on its vast knowledge base like other language models, NotebookLM primarily focuses on the specific sources you provide, ensuring that its responses are accurate and relevant to your particular needs.

Getting Started

Head to NotebookLM in your browser and sign in with your Google account. You should then see a page like this:

You have the option to upload a PDF document, a document in Drive, pass a URL to a site, or simply copy and paste the text of your source. In this example, we shall be using a URL to Wikipedia on Russo-Ukrainian War (URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russo-Ukrainian_War)

Adding a Source

Click on Create and navigate to the sources page:

On the left panel labeled Sources, click on + Add Source. An “Add Sources” popup will appear:

Under Link select Website. Another popup window will appear:

Paste the Wikipedia URL in the input field and click Insert. You should now see a summary of the site’s content:

You can include additional sources. Take note that you can only use up to 50 sources.

Querying For Details

At the bottom of the Chat (middle) section, you can query for specific details, for instance, “What key historical events and factors led to the current Russo-Ukrainian War?”. NotebookLM will highlight the relevant sections for you:

Using ‘Study Guide’

NotebookLM can also provide you with a study guide to help you grasp the details of the source. In the Studio (right) section, click on Study guide. This will generate concepts, quiz and analysis on the subject matter.

Select that output to display the concepts, quizzes, and analyses:

Conclusion

There are plenty of other features you can explore, like Audio Review generating podcast-style conversations about the topic you are researching, or the Timeline feature. I encourage you to try it out for yourself.