Learning Technology Index

NotebookLM*

videolecture recordingtext chatinteractivecontent deliveryAI Text Generator

What is it?

NotebookLM is a powerful tool for researchers to analyze and synthesize information from multiple documents, create literature reviews, and generate interactive audio overviews.

What is its purpose?

NotebookLM aims to simplify and enhance the research process by providing tools for analyzing, summarizing, and synthesizing information from multiple documents, making it especially useful for tasks like literature reviews and large research projects.

How do I use it?

To use NotebookLM, one should log in through the website using their Google account. After logging in, they can upload up to 50 sources, including research papers, theses, audio files and YouTube videos. 

Why would I use it?

NotebookLM is a valuable tool for researchers and anyone needing to analyze multiple documents and create literature reviews. It enables users to quickly generate summaries, identify key information, and understand relationships between different documents. Additionally, the tool offers the ability to create a conversational overview of the sources, making it easier to present information.

Usage considerations

Based on Google privacy policy, your uploads, queries, and the model's responses in NotebookLM will not be reviewed by human reviewers and will not be used to train AI models.

Quick Facts
Category
AI Tools
Rating Level 
Web Search
Website
NotebookLM*
Last Modified
11 June 2025
Created
22 January 2025
License Available 
No
More Info

Security Concerns
Yes
Technical Support 
Vendor
Platform(s) 
Windows, Mac, iOS and Android.

Ratings Information

CITL Rating

Select any category below for details about the criteria for each rating.

Functionality: ★★☆
Scale:★☆☆
Serious Concerns.
Ease of Use:★★★
Works Well.
Tech Support/Help Availability (for Instructors):★★☆
Minor Concerns. No campus-wide technical support is available.
Tech Support/Help Availability (for Students):★★☆
Minor Concerns. No campus-wide technical support is available.
Hypermediality :★★★
Works Well.
Accessibility: ★★★
Accessibility Standards:★★☆
Minor Concerns. The tool has some limited capacity to meet accessibility guidelines.
User-focused participation:★★★
Works Well.
Required Equipment:★★★
Works Well.
Technical: ★★★
Integration/Embedding within a Learning Management System (LMS) :★★☆
Minor Concerns. NotebookLM can be effectively embedded into a Learning Management System (LMS) by sharing the generated NotebookLM links or embedding them directly within the LMS platform.
Operating Systems:★★★
Works Well.
Web Browser:★★★
Works Well.
Additional Technical Requirements:★★★
Works Well.
Mobile Design: ★★☆
Access:★★★
Works Well.
Functionality:★★★
Works Well.
Offline Access:★☆☆
Serious Concerns.
Usage and Account Set Up: ★★★
Sign Up/Sign In:★☆☆
Serious Concerns. All users must use their google account to login, and personal information is not collected and shared.
Cost of Use:★★★
Works Well.
Archiving, Saving, and Exporting Data :★★★
Works Well.
Data Privacy and Ownership:★★★
Works Well.
Social Presence: ★★☆
Collaboration :★☆☆
Serious Concerns. NotebookLM is supported by Google Support, ensuring users have access to assistance and resources for troubleshooting and optimizing their experience.
User Accountability:
Not Applicable.
Diffusion:★★★
Works Well.
Teaching Presence: ★★☆
Facilitation:★★☆
Minor Concerns. It can facilitate an instructor's job by providing powerful tools for organizing and sharing knowledge, streamlining lesson planning, and enhancing communication with students
Customization:★★☆
Minor Concerns.
Learning Analytics:★☆☆
Serious Concerns.
Cognitive Presence: ★★☆
Enhancement of Cognitive Task(s):★☆☆
Serious Concerns.
Higher Order Thinking:★★★
Works Well.
Feedback on Learning:★★☆
Minor Concerns.

Security and Privacy

The service is not offered by Memorial University and has not been reviewed by Information Management and Protection.

Support Information

The NotebookLM support page provides resources to help users get started, troubleshoot, and optimize their experience. It includes FAQs and options to contact support for additional assistance.

For more details, visit the NotebookLM support page.
Updates and news about NotebookLM are also shared through its official page on X (formerly Twitter).

Other Note(s)

NotebookLM Plus is available to Google Workspace customers with specific add-ons, including Gemini Business, Gemini Enterprise, Gemini Education, and Gemini Education Premium. Additionally, it's accessible to users subscribed to eligible Workspace editions such as Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Standard, and Enterprise Plus.

For more details, visit the full post on the Google Lab blog.

History

NotebookLM is an AI-powered research and note-taking tool developed by Google Labs. Initially launched in 2023 as "Project Tailwind," it was designed to assist users in interacting with their documents by generating summaries, explanations, and answers based on user-uploaded content. A notable feature, "Audio Overviews," was introduced in September 2024, allowing users to receive document summaries in a conversational, podcast-like format. In December 2024, Google launched a paid version called NotebookLM Plus, targeting enterprises and paid Gemini subscribers.