In November 2024, Time magazine included Google NotebookLM in its 200 Best Inventions of 2024, highlighting its breakthrough in simplifying and explaining complex information.
Featured in the AI category, NotebookLM marks progress in bringing intelligent, user-friendly tools into everyday use. Its inclusion reflects the growing impact of accessible AI on how we understand and interact with information.
What is NotebookLM?
Don’t let the name “NotebookLM” fool you—this is far more than a digital notepad or note-taking app. It’s a groundbreaking AI-powered research assistant from Google that redefines how we engage with information. Think of it as a super-smart partner, designed to help you understand, analyse, and create with ease, all while keeping you in control of your sources.
Why NotebookLM Stands Out
- Built for Deep Understanding: Upload documents, PDFs, or web pages, and let NotebookLM do the heavy lifting. It’s designed to handle diverse and complex sources, giving you clarity and insights that go far beyond basic keyword searches.
- Accurate, Source-Grounded Answers: Ask natural language questions about your sources, and NotebookLM provides precise, citation-backed answers. Whether you’re decoding legal briefs, exploring creative concepts, or managing research papers, it makes finding what you need effortless.
- Summarisation and Synthesis: Tackle lengthy reports or diverse documents with ease. NotebookLM generates concise, meaningful summaries and synthesises information across multiple sources to offer a holistic understanding of even the most intricate topics.
- Fuel for Creativity: Whether you’re writing a screenplay, drafting a policy paper, or brainstorming an art installation, NotebookLM helps unlock new possibilities. Its creative capabilities range from generating stories and poems to offering fresh angles on existing ideas.
- Innovative Engagement Features: With tools like Audio Overview, NotebookLM brings your research to life. Listen to AI-generated discussions about your sources, transforming how you learn, work, or ideate.
Who Can Use NotebookLM?
The real beauty of NotebookLM lies in its versatility. It’s for anyone looking to work smarter, not harder:
- Students navigating coursework, dissertations, or exam preparation.
- Homemakers organising schedules, managing budgets, documenting family recipes, or planning DIY projects.
- Craftsmen designing intricate pieces, cataloguing techniques, or sourcing materials effectively.
- Movie Directors and Scriptwriters creating compelling narratives, organising research, or managing production details.
- Lawyers preparing briefs, analysing case law, or researching legislation with precision.
- Government Agencies streamlining policy research, managing public records, or drafting regulations.
- Business Executives managing reports, synthesising market insights, or preparing presentations.
- Doctors and Medical Researchers summarising journal articles, compiling patient data, or conducting evidence-based research.
- Entrepreneurs and Startups planning business strategies, drafting proposals, or managing investor communications.
- Teachers and Academics preparing lesson plans, consolidating research, or developing innovative teaching materials.
- Writers and Content Creators brainstorming ideas, drafting content, or organising creative projects.
- Scientists and Researchers synthesising complex data, documenting experiments, or exploring interdisciplinary connections.
- Non-Profit Organisations organising campaigns, managing donor reports, or crafting impactful proposals.
- Engineers and Architects collating technical specifications, designing solutions, or managing project documentation.
- Meta Researchers and Think Tanks exploring trends, analysing large datasets, or uncovering new insights across fields.
From academic projects to everyday tasks, NotebookLM adapts to your needs, making it an invaluable companion for learning, creating, and managing information across fields and lifestyles.
NotebookLM isn’t just a tool; it’s your partner in productivity and discovery, empowering anyone and everyone to explore, understand, and innovate.
Supported Languages
NotebookLM currently supports around 130 languages for input Sources and Chat. Auto-generated AI Summary, Study Guide, Briefing Doc, FAQ, and Timele will be available only in English. You can upload Sources in any of the 130 languages verified to be working and chat with AI in the same language, and save the response as Notes, and convert these Notes and Sources.
Users can experiment with translating results, such as summaries, FAQs, and briefing documents, from English into their preferred language. While many major, regional, and even obscure languages are supported for translation within NotebookLM, this feature has not yet been officially announced.
Students 13 years of age and above (and in some cases younger students, too) can take advantage of NotebookLM Plus through Google Workspace for Education.
NotebookLM: Free Version Continues for Existing Users and for New Sign-Ups
Until 13 December 2024, NotebookLM was universally available as a free tool, offering everyone access to its core capabilities. With the introduction of the Plus version, NotebookLM now provides two distinct options: the free version, which continues to serve existing users, and the Plus version, designed for those seeking enhanced benefits and privileges for a regular monthly payment.
Free Version: All the Essentials, Plus More
The free version of NotebookLM has not lost any of its functionality with the introduction of the Plus version. In fact, it retains all the features users have come to value and even benefits from some of the interface and feature enhancements introduced alongside the new tier.
While the main difference lies in capacity—such as the number of sources that can be added or the volume of documents handled—the free version remains as robust and user-friendly as ever, providing an exceptional experience at no cost.
Key features of the free version include:
- Core Summarisation and Insights: Turn your notes and documents into concise, actionable summaries with the same accuracy and intelligence.
- Source-Grounded Responses: Privacy and precision remain a priority, ensuring AI responses are based solely on user-provided content.
- Enhanced Interface: A refreshed design and feature upgrades offer a smoother, more intuitive experience.
- Seamless Integration: Google Drive compatibility ensures effortless organisation and access to your files.
The Free Version: More Than Just Basics
For existing users and new sign-ups alike, the free version offers a comprehensive toolset that is far from basic. It combines proven functionality with enhancements that make managing and exploring information easier than ever—without compromising on privacy or control.
NotebookLM’s free version continues to deliver an excellent balance of performance and accessibility, making it a valuable companion for students, professionals, and anyone in need of smarter, simpler information management.
Eligibility Requirements
Any user over 18 years of age with a Google Account or a Workspace account (organization or educational) and residing in any of the 213 countries (see below for a complete list) can access and use NotebookLM Free tier.
Resolving Access Issues
Access to NotebookLM may be restricted for a variety of reasons:
- The user’s country may not be included in the list of supported regions. Refer to the list of supported countries below to verify if your region is eligible.
- Users who are utilizing a school or work-managed Google account (e.g.,
x@y.edu) might need to contact their organization’s administrator to enable access to the NotebookLM application. If a user receives the message “Access to Google Drive data has been disabled for this account,” it likely means they are using a school or work-managed account. The organization’s admin should be consulted to ensure the Core data access toggle is enabled for the organization: Google Support – Core Data Access. - Only individuals who are 18 years of age or older are authorized to use the NotebookLM app.
Countries, Regions and Territories Where NotebookLM is Available
- Algeria (الجزائر)
- American Samoa (Amerika Samoa)
- Angola (Angola)
- Anguilla (Anguilla)
- Antarctica (Antarktika)
- Antigua and Barbuda (Antigua and Barbuda)
- Argentina (Argentina)
- Armenia (Հայաստան)
- Aruba (Aruba)
- Australia (Australia)
- Austria (Österreich)
- Azerbaijan (Azərbaycan)
- The Bahamas (The Bahamas)
- Bahrain (البحرين)
- Bangladesh (বাংলাদেশ)
- Barbados (Barbados)
- Belgium (België)
- Belize (Belize)
- Benin (Bénin)
- Bermuda (Bermuda)
- Bhutan (འབྲུག)
- Bolivia (Bolivia)
- Botswana (Botswana)
- Brazil (Brasil)
- British Indian Ocean Territory (British Indian Ocean Territory)
- British Virgin Islands (British Virgin Islands)
- Brunei (Brunei Darussalam)
- Bulgaria (България)
- Burkina Faso (Burkina Faso)
- Burundi (Burundi)
- Cabo Verde (Cabo Verde)
- Cambodia (កម្ពុជា)
- Cameroon (Cameroun)
- Canada (Canada)
- Caribbean Netherlands (Caribbean Netherlands)
- Cayman Islands (Cayman Islands)
- Central African Republic (République Centrafricaine)
- Chad (Tchad)
- Chile (Chile)
- Christmas Island (Christmas Island)
- Cocos (Keeling) Islands (Cocos (Keeling) Islands)
- Colombia (Colombia)
- Comoros (جزر القمر)
- Cook Islands (Cook Islands)
- Côte d’Ivoire (Côte d’Ivoire)
- Costa Rica (Costa Rica)
- Croatia (Hrvatska)
- Curaçao (Curaçao)
- Czech Republic (Česká republika)
- Democratic Republic of the Congo (République Démocratique du Congo)
- Denmark (Danmark)
- Djibouti (جيبوتي)
- Dominica (Dominica)
- Dominican Republic (República Dominicana)
- Ecuador (Ecuador)
- Egypt (مصر)
- El Salvador (El Salvador)
- Equatorial Guinea (Guinea Ecuatorial)
- Eritrea (إريتريا)
- Estonia (Eesti)
- Eswatini (Eswatini)
- Ethiopia (ኢትዮጵያ)
- Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
- Fiji (Fiji)
- Finland (Suomi)
- France (France)
- Gabon (Gabon)
- The Gambia (The Gambia)
- Georgia (საქართველო)
- Germany (Deutschland)
- Ghana (Ghana)
- Gibraltar (Gibraltar)
- Greece (Ελλάδα)
- Grenada (Grenada)
- Guam (Guam)
- Guatemala (Guatemala)
- Guernsey (Guernsey)
- Guinea (Guinée)
- Guinea-Bissau (Guiné-Bissau)
- Guyana (Guyana)
- Haiti (Haïti)
- Heard Island and McDonald Islands (Heard Island and McDonald Islands)
- Honduras (Honduras)
- Hungary (Magyarország)
- Iceland (Ísland)
- India (भारत)
- Indonesia (Indonesia)
- Iraq (العراق)
- Ireland (Éire)
- Isle of Man (Isle of Man)
- Israel (ישראל)
- Italy (Italia)
- Jamaica (Jamaica)
- Japan (日本)
- Jersey (Jersey)
- Jordan (الأردن)
- Kazakhstan (Қазақстан)
- Kenya (Kenya)
- Kiribati (Kiribati)
- Kyrgyzstan (Кыргызстан)
- Kuwait (الكويت)
- Laos (ລາວ)
- Latvia (Latvija)
- Lebanon (لبنان)
- Lesotho (Lesotho)
- Liberia (Liberia)
- Libya (ليبيا)
- Liechtenstein (Liechtenstein)
- Lithuania (Lietuva)
- Luxembourg (Luxembourg)
- Madagascar (Madagasikara)
- Malawi (Malawi)
- Malaysia (Malaysia)
- Maldives (Maldives)
- Mali (Mali)
- Malta (Malta)
- Marshall Islands (Marshall Islands)
- Mauritania (موريتانيا)
- Mauritius (Maurice)
- Mexico (México)
- Micronesia (Micronesia)
- Mongolia (Монголия)
- Montserrat (Montserrat)
- Morocco (المغرب)
- Mozambique (Moçambique)
- Namibia (Namibië)
- Nauru (Nauru)
- Nepal (नेपाल)
- Netherlands (Nederland)
- New Caledonia (Nouvelle-Calédonie)
- New Zealand (New Zealand)
- Nicaragua (Nicaragua)
- Niger (Niger)
- Nigeria (Nigeria)
- Niue (Niue)
- Norfolk Island (Norfolk Island)
- Northern Mariana Islands (Northern Mariana Islands)
- Norway (Norge)
- Oman (عمان)
- Pakistan (پاکستان)
- Palau (Palau)
- Palestine (فلسطين)
- Panama (Panamá)
- Papua New Guinea (Papua Niugini)
- Paraguay (Paraguay)
- Peru (Perú)
- Philippines (Pilipinas)
- Pitcairn Islands (Pitcairn Islands)
- Poland (Polska)
- Portugal (Portugal)
- Puerto Rico (Puerto Rico)
- Qatar (قطر)
- Republic of Cyprus (Κυπριακή Δημοκρατία)
- Republic of the Congo (République du Congo)
- Romania (România)
- Rwanda (Rwanda)
- Saint Barthélemy (Saint Barthélemy)
- Saint Kitts and Nevis (Saint Kitts and Nevis)
- Saint Lucia (Saint Lucia)
- Saint Pierre and Miquelon (Saint Pierre and Miquelon)
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines)
- Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha (Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha)
- Samoa (Samoa)
- São Tomé and Príncipe (São Tomé e Príncipe)
- Saudi Arabia (المملكة العربية السعودية)
- Senegal (Sénégal)
- Seychelles (Seychelles)
- Sierra Leone (Sierra Leone)
- Singapore (Singapore)
- Slovakia (Slovensko)
- Slovenia (Slovenija)
- Solomon Islands (Solomon Islands)
- Somalia (Soomaaliya)
- South Africa (South Africa)
- South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands)
- South Korea (대한민국)
- South Sudan (جنوب السودان)
- Spain (España)
- Sri Lanka (ශ්රී ලංකාව)
- Sudan (السودان)
- Suriname (Suriname)
- Sweden (Sverige)
- Switzerland (Schweiz)
- Taiwan (台灣)
- Tajikistan (Таджикистан)
- Tanzania (Tanzania)
- Thailand (ประเทศไทย)
- Timor-Leste (Timor-Leste)
- Togo (Togo)
- Tokelau (Tokelau)
- Tonga (Tonga)
- Trinidad and Tobago (Trinidad y Tobago)
- Tunisia (تونس)
- Türkiye (Türkiye)
- Turkmenistan (Türkmenistan)
- Turks and Caicos Islands (Turks and Caicos Islands)
- Tuvalu (Tuvalu)
- Uganda (Uganda)
- United Kingdom (United Kingdom)
- United Arab Emirates (الإمارات العربية المتحدة)
- United States (United States)
- United States Minor Outlying Islands (United States Minor Outlying Islands)
- U.S. Virgin Islands (U.S. Virgin Islands)
- Uruguay (Uruguay)
- Uzbekistan (Oʻzbekiston)
- Vanuatu (Vanuatu)
- Venezuela (Venezuela)
- Vietnam (Việt Nam)
- Wallis and Futuna (Wallis et Futuna)
- Western Sahara (الصحراء الغربية)
- Yemen (اليمن)
- Zambia (Zambia)
- Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe)
Source: Available Regions
