Google’s latest NotebookLM update simplifies research and note-taking with AI-driven tools. Adam Bignell, a Software Engineer at Google, noted that NotebookLM helps users “understand anything” and highlighted its new “Discover sources” feature, ideal for tasks like writing papers, planning vacations, or transcribing interviews.
How Discover Sources Works
With Discover sources, users describe a topic, and NotebookLM curates up to 10 relevant web sources with annotated summaries. These can be imported into a notebook with one click, helping users quickly grasp concepts or gather key readings.
Bignell added that this feature streamlines research by delivering reliable information fast. Once added, sources integrate with tools like Briefing Docs, FAQs, and Audio Overviews, allowing users to view originals, chat with the AI, or take cited notes.
Steps to Use Discover Sources
- Go to notebooklm.google.com.
- Open a notebook.
- Tap the Discover button in the Sources panel.
- Describe your topic.
- Review up to 10 recommended sources with summaries.
- Import them with one click.
- Use features like Audio Overviews or FAQs with your sources.
New users can try the “I’m Feeling Curious” button to explore random topics and test NotebookLM’s discovery power.
More Features in NotebookLM
The update also supports multimodal PDFs, letting users interact with text, images, and graphs in files. Powered by Google Gemini, NotebookLM is a Google Labs project blending AI into research tools.
It’s available in over 180 regions with Gemini API support, covering 35+ languages. Sources can be uploaded in any supported language, though Audio Overviews remain English-only.
Privacy and Control
Google stressed that uploaded files, queries, and AI responses stay private, never used to train models or shared without consent. Users control notebook access and permissions fully.
Availability
The NotebookLM update, including Discover sources, started rolling out on April 2, 2025, and will reach all users, including NotebookLM Plus, within a week.