NotebookLM update lets AI research hundreds of websites for you
What's the story
Google has announced a major update for its AI-powered research assistant, NotebookLM. The new feature, called Deep Research, lets the tool browse hundreds of websites to create detailed reports with annotated source lists. The update was first announced in a blog post by Google and is expected to reach all users within a week. However, some users may see it slightly later depending on their region or Workspace plan.
Feature overview
Deep Research: A game-changer for academic research
The Deep Research feature is a major upgrade from earlier versions of NotebookLM, which were mostly limited to text files and PDFs. Now, users can enter a topic, select "Web" as their source, and choose between "Fast Research" for quick summaries or "Deep Research" for detailed insights. The tool will then create a research plan and browse hundreds of websites on its own to refine its search and add a source-grounded report back into the user's notebook.
Compatibility expansion
Enhanced source compatibility and user control
Along with the Deep Research feature, Google has also expanded the types of sources NotebookLM can work with. Users can now upload Google Sheets for statistics, Microsoft Word drafts, or use PDFs and other files from Google Drive by sharing their URLs. The tool even supports images of handwritten notes or brochures. This upgrade significantly reduces the time users would otherwise spend hunting down sources and wrangling formats.
Feature enhancement
NotebookLM's new features and user control
In addition to the Deep Research feature, Google has also introduced a way for NotebookLM users to create custom video overview styles with text-based prompts. The update also comes with a new chat history prompt that allows users to close a session and resume it later without losing their previous content. These enhancements make NotebookLM an even more powerful tool for research and information gathering.