To subscribe to NotebookLM Plus, you must have an active subscription to the Gemini Business or Enterprise Add-on within one of the many Google Workspace services.
Setting up NotebookLM Plus can seem like a daunting task due to its extensive features and configurations. However, with a clear understanding of the process and the detailed documentation provided, you can easily navigate through the setup. This guide will walk you through the steps required to set up NotebookLM Plus, ensuring you understand the key components involved. From account creation to configuring advanced settings, we’ll cover it all, helping you unlock the full potential of this powerful tool.
Why is NotebookLM Plus So Hard to Subscribe To?
Google currently restricts access to NotebookLM Plus to eligible Google Workspace subscribers.
Google restricts NotebookLM Plus to businesses and enterprise-level customers primarily due to the advanced data security features it offers. The platform is designed to handle sensitive and critical data, and Google believes that only organisations with the necessary infrastructure, resources, and expertise can effectively manage these security measures.
Here are a few reasons why Google prefers businesses and enterprises to sign up for NotebookLM Plus:
- Advanced Data Security: The platform includes enhanced security tools such as encryption, compliance with industry standards, and advanced access controls, which are best suited for businesses with dedicated IT teams to manage them.
- Shared Responsibility Model: Google follows a shared responsibility model, meaning businesses are responsible for securing their own data, while Google provides the infrastructure. This is something only businesses or enterprises with appropriate security protocols can fully manage.
- Complexity of Features: The platform offers extensive features and configurations that may be complex for individual users or smaller teams to manage. Larger organisations are better equipped to handle these features and ensure proper configuration.
- Compliance Needs: Businesses and enterprise customers often have strict compliance and regulatory requirements that NotebookLM Plus can help address. Google restricts the service to these customers to ensure that they can meet the necessary standards.
- Scale and Support: Google aims to provide enterprise-grade support and resources to businesses that need to scale their usage and take advantage of the platform’s full capabilities. Smaller users may not be able to fully utilise the extensive features.
In short, Google limits NotebookLM Plus to businesses and enterprises to ensure that organisations with the necessary resources and security infrastructure can make the most of the platform’s features while maintaining high levels of security and compliance.
Google Workspace Plans
- Frontline Starter
- Frontline Standard
- Business Starter
- Business Standard
- Business Plus
- Essentials Starter
- Essentials
- Enterprise Essentials
- Enterprise Essentials Plus
- Enterprise Standard
- Enterprise Plus
- Nonprofits (Free for eligible organisations)
Availability and Eligibility
Please note that the availability of the Gemini Business Add-on may vary based on your region and specific service plan. Here is a list of the countries where NotebookLM Pus is available. NotebookLM Plus within Google Workspace is NOT available in these countries and regions:
Crimea, Cuba, Donetsk People’s Republic, Iran, Luhansk People’s Republic, North Korea, and Syria.
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, it is recommended to consult the official Google Workspace documentation or contact Google Workspace support.
Plans Restricted or Unsuitable for Individuals
| Plan | Reason |
|---|---|
| Frontline Starter/Standard | Designed for frontline workers in businesses (e.g., retail, hospitality). Not suitable for personal use. |
| Business Starter/Standard/Plus | Targeted towards businesses and require domain ownership for email and collaboration tools. Not for casual users. |
| Essentials Starter/Essentials | Designed for teams or organisations using existing email solutions. Assumes collaboration within a group. |
| Enterprise Essentials/Standard/Plus | Specifically for large organisations with complex collaboration, storage, and security needs. Not for individuals. |
| Nonprofits | Restricted to registered nonprofit organisations and requires verification to qualify. |
Plans More Accessible to Individuals
If you are an individual looking to subscribe to a Google Workspace plan, the Business Starter plan may technically work if you own a domain. However, Google Workspace is primarily designed for businesses and organisations. Google accounts for individuals are typically served through Google One plans or free personal Gmail accounts with basic tools.
To access NotebookLM Plus, you need to be part of an organisation or use a domain to qualify for these plans. If you’re an individual without organisational needs, these plans may not be suitable.
Upcoming Availability: Google will soon make NotebookLM Plus available for Google One users. If you want to experience NotebookLM Plus without waiting for its availability on Google One, or if you prefer the robust security it offers within Google Workspace, subscribing to a suitable Google Workspace plan remains the best option.
Setting Up Google Workspace Business Starter and Subscribing to the Plus Plan
Follow these steps to set up Google Workspace Business Starter and subscribe to the Plus plan with the Gemini Business Add-on:
Step 1: Visit the Google Workspace Signup Page
- Navigate to Google Workspace: Visit the Google Workspace website.
- Initiate Signup: Click on the ‘Get Started’ button under the Business Starter plan (or select another desired plan if applicable).
Step 2: Set Up Your Google Workspace Account
- Provide Basic Information:
- Business Name: Enter your business name (use your personal name if you’re an individual).
- Number of Users: Specify the number of users (e.g., ‘1’ for an individual account).
- Current Email Address: Provide an existing email address for setup communications.
- Choose a Domain:
- If You Own a Domain: Select ‘I have a domain’ and enter your domain name.
- Verify Domain Ownership: Update your DNS settings as per Google’s instructions to verify ownership.
- If You Don’t Have a Domain: Select ‘I need a domain’ and search for a new domain (e.g., .com, .net).
- Follow the prompts to purchase and register the domain directly through Google.
- If You Own a Domain: Select ‘I have a domain’ and enter your domain name.
- Set Up Your Workspace Email:
- Create Custom Email: Set up a custom email address (e.g., [email protected]).
- Set Password: Choose a strong password for your admin account.
Step 3: Choose a Plan
- Default Selection: By default, you’ll be signing up for the Google Workspace Business Starter plan, which includes:
- 30 GB of storage per user
- Access to Gmail, Google Drive, Docs, Calendar, and other essential Workspace apps.
Step 4: Add Billing Information
- Select Billing Plan: Choose between monthly or annual billing based on your preference.
- Enter Payment Details: Provide your payment information (credit card or other accepted methods).
- Confirm Subscription: Review and confirm your subscription to activate your Google Workspace account.
Step 5: Access and Set Up Workspace Tools
- Log into Admin Console: Visit admin.google.com and sign in with your admin account.
- Configure Settings: Set up additional settings such as user accounts, apps, and permissions.
- Add Users or Aliases: Even as an individual, you can create aliases or additional user accounts if needed.
Step 6: Add Gemini for Google Workspace
After setting up a Google Workspace user, the admin must choose between Gemini for Business or Gemini for Enterprise, depending on the organisation’s needs:
- Gemini for Business: Designed for small to medium-sized businesses, providing essential AI tools to enhance productivity. This plan costs $20 per user/month.
- Gemini for Enterprise: Intended for larger organisations that require more advanced features like higher AI processing power, additional customisation, and enterprise-grade security. This plan costs $30 per user/month.
The admin selects the plan that best aligns with the organisation’s size and requirements to ensure the right features and capabilities are available.
The following is a table showing the different Google Workspace plans, their prices, along with available plans in Gemini for Business or Gemini for Enterprise.
| Plan | Price | Gemini for Business (or Enterprise) Price |
|---|---|---|
| Frontline Starter | $6 per user/month | $20 per user/month |
| Frontline Standard | $8 per user/month | $20 per user/month |
| Business Starter | $6 per user/month | $20 per user/month |
| Business Standard | $12 per user/month | $20 per user/month |
| Business Plus | $18 per user/month | $20 per user/month |
| Essentials Starter | $6 per user/month | $20 per user/month |
| Essentials | $8 per user/month | $20 per user/month |
| Enterprise Essentials | $10 per user/month | $30 per user/month |
| Enterprise Essentials Plus | $12 per user/month | $30 per user/month |
| Enterprise Standard | $20 per user/month | $30 per user/month |
| Enterprise Plus | $25 per user/month | $30 per user/month |
| Nonprofits | Free (for eligible organizations) | Free (for eligible organizations) |
- Access Admin Console: Go to admin.google.com and log in using your admin account.
- Navigate to Billing: In the Admin Console, click on Billing → Manage Subscriptions.
- Choose Gemini Add-Ons: Select “Add-ons” and choose between Gemini Business or Gemini Enterprise, depending on your needs:
- Gemini Business: Suitable for typical business users with monthly usage limits and enterprise-grade data protections.
- Gemini Enterprise: Ideal for heavy users of generative AI with full access, additional AI-powered meeting features, and enhanced security protections.
- Add NotebookLM Plus: Within the Gemini add-ons, select NotebookLM Plus to enhance productivity and collaboration.
- Complete Upgrade: Confirm your selections and enter any additional payment details to activate the Plus plan and associated add-ons.
Step 7: Enable and Configure Gemini Add-Ons
- Enable NotebookLM Plus:
- Log in to NotebookLM: Access the NotebookLM application.
- Activate Features: Follow setup prompts to integrate NotebookLM with your Workspace environment.
- Assign Licences to Users: In the Admin Console, assign NotebookLM Plus licences to specific users who need access.
- Configure Additional Gemini Features: Enable other Gemini features as needed.
Final Steps: Ensuring Full Integration and Utilisation
- Verify Add-On Activation
- Confirm Subscription: Ensure that all selected Gemini add-ons, including NotebookLM Plus, are active in your Admin Console under Billing → Subscriptions.
- Assign Licences to Users
- Navigate to Users: In the Admin Console, go to Users.
- Select Users: Choose the users who require access to Gemini features.
- Assign Licences: Assign the appropriate Gemini add-on licences (e.g., NotebookLM Plus) to each user.
- Enable and Configure Gemini Features
- Access Gemini Features: Users can access Gemini features directly within their Workspace apps (e.g., Gmail, Docs, Slides).
- Customize Settings: Adjust settings for each feature as needed to align with your organisation’s workflows and policies.
- Train Your Team
- Provide Training: Educate your team on how to utilise Gemini features effectively.
- Share Resources: Distribute links to tutorials and sample prompts to maximise productivity (e.g., how to use Help Me Write in Docs).
- Monitor and Optimise Usage
- Use Analytics: Leverage usage analytics provided by add-ons like NotebookLM Plus to monitor feature utilisation.
- Adjust as Needed: Based on usage patterns, reassign licences or tweak settings to better suit your team’s needs.
Summary
By following this comprehensive guide, you will successfully set up Google Workspace Business Starter, subscribe to the Plus plan, and integrate Gemini for Google Workspace with all its available add-ons, including NotebookLM Plus. This setup will empower your organisation with advanced AI capabilities, enhancing collaboration, productivity, and data security across all Workspace applications.
Note:
Ensure that you consult the official Google Workspace documentation or contact Google Workspace support for the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding subscriptions and features.
