NotebookLM

What it does

NotebookLM is Google’s research notebook. You upload your own sources (PDFs, documents, web pages, videos) and it answers questions using only those, with citations back to the exact passage.

It can also turn your sources into a study guide, a briefing or a podcast-style audio overview.

Why use it

• Answers come from your documents, with links to the passage, not the open web.
• Great for making sense of a pile of reports, papers or meeting notes.
• Audio overviews let you listen to your sources on the move.
• Free with a Google account.

How it works

1. Sign in with your Google account at notebooklm.google.com.
2. Create a notebook and add your sources: files, links or pasted text.
3. Ask questions; each answer cites the passages it used.
4. Generate a summary, study guide, mind map or audio overview.
5. Click a citation to check the original wording.

How hard is it to use?

Intermediate Some set-up, or a little practice, to get good results.

Simple once you know the idea: it only knows what you give it. Choosing good sources is most of the skill.

What it costs

Free; paid tiers. Free with a Google account, with limits on notebooks and sources. Google’s paid AI plan raises the limits.

Prices change often, so check NotebookLM’s own site before you pay.

Watch out for

• It knows only your sources: leave something out and it can’t tell you.
• Audio overviews are engaging but can simplify. Check them against the sources.

Your data

Google says it doesn’t use your uploads, questions or answers to train NotebookLM. Even so, think before uploading other people’s personal data.

NotebookLM doesn’t offer UK data storage, so check where it keeps your data before you share anything private or about other people.