When you first turn on Notebook LM, you may feel lost on where to start. The screen is clean, but many people are confused about whether to upload files or ask questions first. This is especially true for those new to AI or senior users, who might first wonder, "How is this different from a search?".
Using Notebook LM is easier than you might think. You just need to familiarize yourself with the workflow of uploading materials, asking questions, and receiving organized responses in the format you need. The key feature is that materials are managed separately by notebook, and answers are generated based on the uploaded data.
Direct Answer
Using Notebook LM is very simple. You just need to create a new notebook, add materials such as PDFs, web pages, YouTube videos, and documents, and then ask questions based on them. If needed, you can even create audio summaries, video summaries, flashcards, infographics, and slide decks, making it well-suited for studying, organizing documents, preparing for meetings, and drafting presentation materials.
Key Summary
- Notebook LM is an AI-based research tool that provides answers based on the data I input.
- Notebooks are created separately for each project, and data in one notebook is not automatically mixed with other notebooks.
- The supported materials are quite extensive, including PDFs, web URLs, public YouTube videos, Google Docs, Slides, Sheets, Word files, images, and audio.
- The desktop version has more features, while the mobile app has some limited functions.
- Recently, features such as slide decks, infographics, video overviews, and cinematic video overviews are also provided.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is Notebook LM a search engine?
Rather than a search engine, it is closer to an AI note tool that reads and organizes the materials you input. However, the app also supports a feature to quickly find and retrieve materials from the web. - Can I just ask questions like in ChatGPT?
You can ask questions, but NotebookLM becomes much stronger when you input materials. This is because it constructs answers based on the uploaded data. - Can you write it in Korean?
Korean is included in the list of supported languages for the mobile app, and you can also change the output language in the settings. - Does it work on a mobile phone too?
It is possible. However, the mobile app has limited supported features, and using the desktop is more suitable for full functionality. - Does it automatically reflect changes to the data?
Files imported from Google Drive can be resynced, but by default, the source is a static copy at the time of upload. In some cases, automatic tracking does not work.
It becomes easier if you first understand what Notebook LM is.
In short, Notebook LM is an “AI notebook that reads and assists with your materials.” Rather than feeling like it is just scouring the entire internet, it is closer to a conversational style centered around the bundles of documents you have collected. Therefore, it is particularly convenient when you input materials with clear topics, such as work documents, lecture notes, article collections, meeting minutes, or YouTube scripts.
Many people get stuck here. This is because they don't quite grasp the difference between asking an AI a question and uploading materials to Notebook LM to ask one. The difference lies in the evidence. Since Notebook LM generates answers based on the uploaded materials, it is ideal for receiving organized responses within the scope of the documents you are currently viewing.
First step in using Notebook LM: How to build a notebook first.
The first thing to do is create a new notebook. It is helpful to think of each notebook as a project. For example, if you divide them by topic—such as “Overseas Sales Materials,” “YouTube Script Analysis,” “Thesis Organization,” and “Meeting Preparation”—you will be much less confused later.
There is also an important point. Each notebook is independent of the others. It is not structured so that data placed in one notebook can be read by another simultaneously. Therefore, rather than blindly cramming documents with different topics into one place, it is better to get into the habit of organizing them by project.
What kind of data can be put on the Notebook LM?
This is where you gain practical experience. Notebook LM is not just a tool for inserting PDFs. It supports a fairly wide variety of formats, including web URLs, public YouTube links, Google Docs, Slides, Sheets, Word files, text, CSV, ePub, images, and audio. Google states that you can insert up to 50 of each source, and uploaded files are supported up to 200MB or 500,000 words.
You will definitely notice the difference when you use it yourself. For example, if you input a YouTube link, it does not insert the entire video but analyzes it based on the subtitle text. Similarly, for web pages, it primarily retrieves the text content rather than the entire screen. You might be disappointed if you expect it to be a tool that reads every visual element of images or videos exactly as they are.
How does a laptop LM work?
The principle is not difficult. First, you input the data as a source, and then it generates summaries and answers based on that data. This means that it does not automatically follow the changes even if the original file is modified.
While files imported from Google Drive can often be resynced, other types of sources may need to be re-uploaded. Isn't this confusing? There are moments when you might wonder, "Why is the response based on the old content when the source has changed?" However, understanding this structure allows you to quickly identify the cause.
Notebook LM Usage Order That Beginners Can Follow Right Ahead
It is better not to try to use all the features at first. You can get past most of the introductory stages just by mastering the flow below.
- Making a new laptop
- Insert about 3 to 10 pieces of data
- “Asking broad questions like ”Tell me the key points of this material”
- “Narrow down the question to "similarities," "differences," and "action items."
- Organize your favorite answers in the form of notes or cards.
- Switch to audio summary or slide deck if necessary
If you try to ask perfect questions right from the start, you will actually stop. You can start with simple requests like, "Tell me the key arguments of these documents," "Pick out only the duplicate content," or "Convert this into a checklist for immediate use in practice." Notebook LM allows you to select a specific source and focus your conversation on that scope, making this feature particularly useful as the number of documents increases.
The most frequently used feature in Notebook LM usage
The core pillars of Notebook LM are quite clear: chatting, note-taking, mind mapping, audio overview, video overview, flashcards and quizzes, infographics, and slide decks. Whether for study or work, you will eventually use these features in combination.
The chat function is fundamental for understanding the material. The note function is useful for jotting down thoughts, while the audio overview is convenient for quickly grasping long content by ear. Slide decks and infographics are helpful for presentations or sharing purposes. Flashcards and quizzes are a good fit for exam preparation or review.
When is it good to use audio summaries?
Audio Overview is a feature that enhances the audio quality of your documents. You can select different formats and continue with other tasks while the audio plays in the background.
This feature is well-suited for reviewing during commutes or skimming through long reports. However, rather than blindly trusting it just because it is convenient, it is necessary to develop the habit of verifying important information alongside the original text.
Things to know when using Notebook LM in the mobile app
You can also use Notebook LM on your mobile phone. The app allows you to input PDFs, websites, YouTube videos, audio files, and copied text as sources, and it also provides a workflow to instantly find and retrieve related materials via web search. It is quite convenient for quickly gathering information and asking questions while on the go.
However, there are still limitations on mobile. It is efficient to use a computer for in-depth organization and a mobile device for simple review and listening.
Writing in Korean is not difficult either.
If you are a Korean user, you may be most curious about the language settings. Notebook LM allows you to change the output language in the settings, and the selected language is reflected in the generated text, audio overview, chat responses, and more.
Therefore, you can use it to input English documents and receive a summary in Korean. Of course, translation quality and terminology selection may vary depending on the nature of the material, so for documents containing many technical terms, it is better to make requests such as "please include the original English terms as well" to ensure greater accuracy. Using this method will definitely make a difference.
Actual Use Cases of Notebook LM
If you are a student or exam candidate, you can upload lecture materials and PDF textbooks to create key concepts, practice questions, and even flashcards. It is also well-suited for review purposes.
If you are a working professional, you can gather meeting minutes, proposals, research documents, and competitor data on a single laptop and receive immediate, practical deliverables such as “Key Issues,” “Items Requiring Decisions,” and “5-Line Summary for Representative Reports.” If you need a presentation draft, you can also seamlessly switch to a slide deck or infographic.
It is also suitable for content creation. Combining articles, interviews, YouTube subtitles, and reference webpages to extract common keywords and flow helps in drafting blog posts or organizing video compositions.
Laptop LM advantages
The biggest advantage of Notebook LM is that it is data-centric. Rather than asking vague questions without any materials, you can receive organized answers based on the documents you are viewing, which significantly improves efficiency in both work and learning. The source selection feature also makes it easy to narrow down the scope of your questions.
Format transformation is also a strength. You can convert the same material into other formats, such as audio, video, flashcards, infographics, and slide decks, rather than just chatting with it. For those who find it difficult to read long materials, listening and visualization lower the barrier to entry.
Disadvantages and precautions of laptop LM
It is not without its drawbacks. Answers and outputs generated by AI can be inaccurate. Therefore, it is necessary to develop the habit of verifying important information against the original source.
Another point concerns the data reflection method. Since the uploaded source is a static copy, it does not automatically update just because the original file has changed. Additionally, web URLs are retrieved primarily as text, and YouTube content is utilized properly only if subtitles are present. If you are unaware of this structure, you may feel frustrated, wondering, "Why are the results strange?".
The easiest laptop LM question examples for beginners
You don't need to write difficult prompts at first. Starting with everyday sentences like the one below is sufficient.
- Please tell me the common theme of these materials.
- Please reduce the important points to just 5.
- Please turn only the tasks I need to execute immediately into a checklist.
- Please organize the slide flow for my presentation preparation.
- Please make 10 questions for exam preparation.
- Show me only the difference between this document and that document
After asking this, narrowing the focus further improves the results. For instance, you can say things like, "Make it shorter for a representative report," "Make it easy for a middle schooler to understand," or "Use softer phrasing." Natural questions actually encourage you to write for a longer time.
Is Notebook LM free?
You can basically start for free. However, if you have high usage or require higher limits and additional features, there may be separate higher-tier plans available.
Which is better for laptops, desktop or mobile?
Mobile is fine for casual viewing, but the desktop is stronger for overall functionality. The desktop is more convenient for organizing materials and performing serious tasks.
Can I also add YouTube videos?
It is possible. However, the video must be public and have subtitles, and in practice, it is used based on the subtitle text rather than the entire video.
If I modify the original document, is it immediately reflected in Notebook LM as well?
That is not always the case. Since Notebook LM basically operates based on the copy at the time of upload, you may need to sync or re-upload.
How should I ultimately get started with using Notebook LM?
If you try to learn all the features from the start, you will actually find yourself less inclined to use it. You will quickly get the hang of it just by creating a new notebook, inserting two or three PDFs, and requesting a key summary. Then, you can add the features you need one by one, such as audio summaries or slide decks.
Notebook LM is less of a tool that replaces searching and more of a tool that allows you to read, organize, and modify your materials faster. That is why skilled users focus on gathering and sharing materials effectively rather than crafting elaborate questions. If you are still wondering, "Where do I start?", try creating your first notebook today by choosing just one topic. That one step makes a bigger difference than you might think.