Study with NotebookLM

Gemini · Next lesson

Ask only about the files you gave it

NotebookLM is a Google study notebook. You upload your own sources, then ask questions about those files. It is a separate product from the Gemini chat app. Answers should point back to your sources; you still have to open the citation and check it.

What you need

• A Google account.
• NotebookLM on a computer, or the official NotebookLM mobile app if it is available on your device.
• One class PDF, Google Doc, set of notes or a public webpage you are allowed to upload. Remove private information first.

Try this

1. Open NotebookLM and select Create new notebook.
2. Select Upload a source and add one file you actually have, such as a lesson PDF.
3. In the Chat panel, ask a question about that file.
4. Click any citation marker and confirm the sentence is really in your source.
5. Optional: in the Studio panel, generate a study guide or an Audio Overview. Listen as a review aid, not as a substitute for the original.

Using only the sources in this notebook, explain the three most important points in simple English.
After each point, tell me which source it came from.
If the sources do not say something clearly, write "Not in my files" instead of guessing.

Add a YouTube video

Paste a public YouTube link under Add sources. NotebookLM uses the captions. Then ask questions in Chat and open the citations. For a quick summary in ordinary Gemini chat, see Summarize a YouTube video.

A first notebook

Name it after one subject, for example “Biology quiz week 3.” Upload only that week’s slides or reading. Mixing an entire semester into the first notebook makes checking citations harder.

If a fact is missing

NotebookLM cannot see other notebooks at the same time. Add the missing file to this notebook, or ask a narrower question.

Audio Overviews are two AI hosts discussing your sources. They are meant to reflect the files you uploaded, not to replace them. Non-English audio may be less accurate; check it against the PDF.

Before you rely on it

• Every important claim should match a citation you opened yourself.
• Do not upload IDs, grades you are not allowed to share, or other people’s private work.
• This is not medical, legal or exam-answer advice.

Create a notebook · Audio Overviews

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