Conduct deep research on any topic in 10 minutes with NotebookLM
Combine up to 50 sources into one interactive notebook and get a structured summary with quotes and citations
- 1.Open NotebookLM and create a new notebook. Click Create new, name it after your research topic.
If the service is unavailable in your region, use a VPN. NotebookLM runs in your browser - no separate app needed.
NotebookLM ↗ - 2.Add sources. Click Add source -> select Website and paste the URL of the article you want to analyze. Repeat for each source: you can upload PDFs, Google Docs, paste YouTube video links, or simply paste text via Copied text.
Limit is 50 sources per notebook, each up to 500,000 words. Do not upload documents with confidential data - the service processes content on Google servers.
NotebookLM ↗ - 3.Create a research prompt. In the notebook chat, paste the following prompt, replacing [TOPIC] with your topic and [GOAL] with the specific question you need answered.
English prompts work more accurately since the model better understands the nuances of your request.
NotebookLM ↗PromptAct as a research analyst. I have uploaded [N] sources about [TOPIC]. My research goal is: [GOAL]. Do the following: 1) Identify the 5 most important findings across all sources, with direct quotes and source citations. 2) Highlight contradictions between sources. 3) List gaps where the sources are silent. 4) Suggest 3 follow-up questions I should investigate. Format as a structured report with headings.
What this prompt doesThis prompt turns NotebookLM into an analyst: it will find 5 key findings with quotes, point out contradictions between sources, identify gaps, and suggest questions for further study. Replace [N] with the number of uploaded sources, [TOPIC] with your topic, and [GOAL] with your specific research goal. - 4.Create a structured summary. Click the Studio button in the right panel -> select FAQ or Study guide. NotebookLM will automatically generate a document based on all sources, with quotes and links to originals.
Every quote is clickable - clicking opens the original source with the relevant passage highlighted. This lets you verify accuracy.
NotebookLM ↗ - 5.Deepen your research with follow-up questions. In the chat, paste the following prompt, replacing [FINDING] with any finding from the report that seems too surface-level.
NotebookLM answers only based on uploaded sources - if it has no answer, it will say so. This reduces the risk of hallucinations.
NotebookLM ↗PromptFor the finding: [FINDING] - provide all supporting evidence from the sources. Include exact quotes, source names, and page/section references. Also explain the methodology behind this claim if mentioned.
What this prompt doesThis prompt makes the model pull all supporting evidence for a specific finding: exact quotes, source names, page or section numbers, and methodology if described. Replace [FINDING] with the finding you want to dig deeper into. - 6.Export the result. Click the generated document (FAQ, Study guide, or chat response) -> select Copy or export to Google Docs. You now have a structured research report with quotes and verifiable links.
Audio Overview (a narrated discussion between two AI hosts) is another format: click Studio -> Audio Overview. Useful for listening on the go, but doesn't replace a written report.
NotebookLM ↗
- freeNotebookLM (free tier)NotebookLM is free for all users with a Google account: up to 100 notebooks, up to 50 sources each, at no cost.
- subscriptionNotebookLM Plus (via Google One AI Premium)A Google One AI Premium subscription (~$20/mo) increases limits: more notebooks, sources, and queries, but the free tier is sufficient for basic research.
Why today
AI services change fast - interfaces and free limits may differ from what's described.