If you’ve been following us, you know that we’ve been very impressed with the NotebookLM tool from Google. Google describes it as a tool for learning things, and we think it’s pretty good at its job. We like that it provides an attractive visual interface for working with files. Clearly defined buttons prompt you to upload your data and create reports with it. The interface is a nice change of pace from the usual text-based interface typically seen in AI tools.

Basic Features

• Adding Notes – Annotate your uploaded content for easy reference.
• Creating Audio Overviews – Listen to AI-generated summaries (Adam and Eve in the podcast feature).
• Generating Study Guides – Automatically lay out your documents into question-answer formats for easy learning.
• Building Briefing Documents – Summarize key information in a structured way that is perfect for meetings.
• Producing FAQs and Timelines – If applicable, NotebookLM can generate structured Q&A sections and chronological summaries.

Honestly, if you haven’t tried it yet, you should head over and use it on a document or some text:

https://notebooklm.google.com

Just cut and paste this article into it as a test. We think you will be impressed.

More Info & Tips

Adding Notes

NotebookLM allows you to annotate any uploaded content, making tracking key points and ideas easier, and particularly useful for research projects, legal analysis, or business strategy planning.

Tip: Use structured headings in your notes to quickly locate important insights.

Creating Audio Overviews

The “Adam and Eve podcast” feature transforms text into a conversational audio summary, making it easier to absorb information while commuting or multitasking.

Tip: Customize the format of your podcast to focus on specific sections or questions.

Generating Study Guides

This feature extracts key information and presents it in a structured format for review, making it ideal for exam preparation or document analysis.

Tip: Upload lecture notes or legal documents to turn them into easy-to-digest study guides.

Building Briefing Documents

Perfect for business and legal professionals, this feature condenses large volumes of text into a one-page summary.

Tip: Use this to summarize contracts, case law, or business reports before important meetings.

Producing FAQs and Timelines

NotebookLM can analyze content and generate frequently asked questions or chronological event summaries, making it great for historical research, product documentation, or workflow analysis.

Tip: Upload policy documents or case studies to extract key takeaways quickly.

Testing a Large Document

To demonstrate its capabilities, I uploaded a copy of House Bill 5. Governor Mike DeWine recently signed it into law to modernize the adoption process. The bill is 40 pages long, but NotebookLM easily handles the contents. I asked it to produce a brief, and sure enough, I had a synopsis in about 30 seconds.  

Remember

• Privacy Considerations – Be cautious when working with confidential client or proprietary business information.
• AI is Not Infallible – Double-check any generated content for accuracy and coherence before relying on it for critical decisions.
• Backup Your Data – Since Google frequently changes or discontinues tools, consider keeping separate backups of important materials.

Final Thoughts

NotebookLM is a powerful tool for professionals, students, and researchers alike. Its ability to quickly synthesize complex information into digestible formats makes it invaluable for anyone dealing with dense texts. Give it a try, and let us know what you think.