NotebookLM is Google’s AI-powered tool for simplifying complex ideas, organising notes, and generating clear summaries. And much, much, more. It’s a game-changer for research, school projects, and revision, helping students navigate and manage information effortlessly. The catch? It’s currently only available to users aged 18 and over.
For younger students, this might feel like a missed opportunity. However, there’s a way schools can empower their students right now. By adopting Google Workspace for Education, schools can unlock tools like NotebookLM Plus, giving students access to advanced features that make learning more organised, collaborative, and efficient.
Surprisingly, many schools have yet to take advantage of this free resource. Students and guardians can play an active role in encouraging their schools to sign up for Google Workspace for Education and bring these tools into the classroom.
What is Google Workspace for Education?
Google Workspace for Education is a set of cloud-based tools provided free of charge to qualified schools globally. It includes tools like Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Drive, Meet, and Classroom. When schools sign up for it, students get access to powerful collaboration tools and advanced features like NotebookLM Plus.
If your school already uses Google Workspace for Education, you can log in with your school-issued email. If it hasn’t adopted Workspace yet, it’s time to ask your administrators to consider it.
Why Google Workspace and NotebookLM Matter
NotebookLM Plus, available as part of Google Workspace, offers much more than the free version, and allows students to work with AI-powered tools that simplify their academic work. Here’s how:
- Simplify Research NotebookLM can summarise lengthy documents, highlight key points, and help students focus on what matters most.
- Organise Notes Better Students can organise study materials in a way that makes revision and project work much easier.
- Support Complex Assignments NotebookLM helps simplify complicated topics by breaking them down and generating clear explanations.
- Work Seamlessly with Other Tools NotebookLM integrates with Docs, Sheets, and Drive, allowing students to pull information directly from their documents.
As an eligible student, you get more powerful features in NotebookLM PLus within Google Workspace for Education than those available in NotebookLM Free tier.
Google Workspace also provides tools like Classroom and Meet to support learning beyond NotebookLM, making group work and teacher feedback much simpler.
Why Aren’t All Schools Using Google Workspace?
Despite being free, Google Workspace for Education is underused in many schools. Here are some reasons:
- Schools may not know they qualify for free access.
- Some schools worry they don’t have the technical setup to implement it.
- Students and parents may not know to ask for it.
What Can Students and Parents Do?
If your school hasn’t adopted Google Workspace yet, here’s how you can help:
- Ask Teachers or Administrators Find out if your school already uses Google Workspace. If not, share how it can help students.
- Highlight the Benefits Let schools know that tools like NotebookLM Plus and Classroom make learning better, faster, and easier.
- Involve Parents Guardians can advocate for Google Workspace by talking to school administrators and teachers about the advantages.
Don’t Miss Out on NotebookLM Plus
Google Workspace for Education unlocks tools like NotebookLM Plus that can transform how students learn. It’s free, powerful, and ready to use. If your school hasn’t adopted it yet, now is the time to ask.
NotebookLM Plus with Google Workspace for Education: Availability
NotebookLM Plus within Google Workspace is available in countries where Google Gemini (AI tool) is available, except for these countries and regions:
Crimea, Cuba, Donetsk People’s Republic, Iran, Luhansk People’s Republic, North Korea, and Syria.
Age Restriction for NotebookLM Plus for Students
The minimum age for a student to have their own Google Workspace account is 13 years old. However, there are a few important caveats:
Younger Students (Under 13)
- Schools can choose to enable Google Workspace for students under 13, but they must obtain parental consent.
- This usually involves a process where parents provide their consent through a form or online portal.
Age Restrictions on Services
- Even with a Workspace account, students under 18 have restricted access to certain Google services and features.
- This is designed to protect children’s privacy and safety online.
School Policies
- Ultimately, the school’s policies and settings determine which services and features students can access within Google Workspace.
While the technical minimum age is 13, younger students might still be able to use Google Workspace (and potentially NotebookLM Plus) with parental consent and under the school’s supervision.
NotebookLM Plus within Google Workspace: Availability
NotebookLM Plus within Google Workspace is available in countries where Google Gemini (AI tool) is available, except for these countries and regions:
Crimea, Cuba, Donetsk People’s Republic, Iran, Luhansk People’s Republic, North Korea, and Syria.
Age Restriction
The minimum age for a student to have their own Google Workspace account is 13 years old. However, there are a few important caveats:
Younger Students (Under 13)
- Schools can choose to enable Google Workspace for students under 13, but they must obtain parental consent.
- This usually involves a process where parents provide their consent through a form or online portal.
Age Restrictions on Services
- Even with a Workspace account, students under 18 have restricted access to certain Google services and features.
- This is designed to protect children’s privacy and safety online.
School Policies
- Ultimately, the school’s policies and settings determine which services and features students can access within Google Workspace.
While the technical minimum age is 13, younger students might still be able to use Google Workspace (and potentially NotebookLM Plus) with parental consent and under the school’s supervision.
Countries with Higher Minimum Age Restrictions
The following countries have a higher minimum age restriction for Google Workspace accounts and NotebookLM Plus accounts within them:
| Aruba Aruba 16+ | Austria Österreich 14+ | Bulgaria България 16+ |
| Caribbean Netherlands Caribisch Nederland 16+ | Chile Chile 14+ | Colombia Colombia 14+ |
| Croatia Hrvatska 16+ | Curaçao Kòrsou 16+ | Cyprus Κύπρος / Kıbrıs 14+ |
| Czech Republic Česká republika 15+ | Denmark Danmark 15+ | France France 15+ |
| Germany Deutschland 16+ | Greece Ελλάδα 15+ | Hungary Magyarország 16+ |
| Ireland Éire 16+ | Italy Italia 14+ | Lithuania Lietuva 14+ |
| Luxembourg Lëtzebuerg 16+ | Netherlands Nederland 16+ | Peru Perú 14+ |
| Poland Polska 16+ | Romania România 16+ | San Marino San Marino 16+ |
| Serbia Србија / Srbija 15+ | Sint Maarten (Dutch) Sint Maarten 16+ | Slovakia Slovensko 16+ |
| Slovenia Slovenija 16+ | South Korea 대한민국 / Daehan Minguk 14+ | Spain España 14+ |
| Venezuela Venezuela 14+ | Vietnam Việt Nam 15+ |
Frequently Asked Question on NotebookLM Plus for Education
If you’re discovering NotebookLM for the first time or trying to understand how your school can provide access to this powerful tool, this section has the answers. Learn what’s required to enable NotebookLM Plus, how schools can unlock it for students, and where to start if you need more clarity.
Can students get NotebookLM for free?
NotebookLM Free plan and NotebookLM Plus are available to users aged 18 and above. Students, including those under 18 but above 13, whose schools use Google Workspace for Education can access NotebookLM Plus. This plan has more features and privileges than a free NotebookLM account.
I am under 18. What happens if I create a regular NotebookLM account?
If you are under 18 and set up a regular NotebookLM account, Google may determine that you do not meet the minimum age requirement. In such cases, you will be given 14 days to verify your age. If you fail to do so, your account will be disabled, and all associated data will be permanently deleted after 30 days.
For those under the required age, a parent or legal guardian must provide permission to use a Google Account. If supervision is not set up, the account will be disabled. Even with parental permission, users under 18 will have restricted access to certain Google services.
NotebookLM is part of Google’s Additional Services, meaning any data created in NotebookLM by an underage user may be deleted if the age requirement is not met. If you use a NotebookLM free account while under 18 and Google detects this, your data will likely be permanently removed.
To avoid losing access or data, it is best to wait until you meet the age requirement or use NotebookLM through a Google Workspace for Education account, where supervision can be enabled by your school.
What features in NotebookLM are unique to Google Workspace accounts?
NotebookLM Plus, available through Google Workspace for Education accounts, offers enhanced features such as AI-powered summarisation, advanced organisation tools, and seamless integration with other Workspace apps like Docs and Drive. Personal Google accounts also support NotebookLM, but advanced features in NotebookLM Plus are often included as part of Google Workspace plans.
Are there costs for students or guardians to access NotebookLM?
No, NotebookLM is accessible at no additional cost for users who are eligible under Google Workspace for Education Fundamentals or other Google Workspace plans. Students or guardians do not need to pay if the school qualifies for the free Fundamentals edition.
Does the school have to pay for NotebookLM access?
No. Schools that qualify for Google Workspace for Education Fundamentals can access NotebookLM Plus for free. However, schools seeking additional tools and security features may choose to pay for advanced plans. These paid plans include Google Workspace for Education Standard, Teaching and Learning Upgrade, and Google Workspace for Education Plus. Add-ons can also be purchased separately.
How do I find out if my school has Google Workspace for Education?
To find out if your school has Google Workspace for Education, check with your school’s IT administrator, teacher, or principal. You can also look for signs that your school uses Google Workspace tools like Google Classroom, Docs, Drive, or Gmail with a school-specific domain (e.g., [email protected]).
My School Has Google Workspace for Education, but I Cannot Access NotebookLM Plus. Why?
NotebookLM Plus is an Additional Service offered by Google that needs to be added and enabled for Google Workspace for Education users. To access NotebookLM, your school must first enable Gemini for Education (Free plan) or Gemini Education Premium (paid plan). The school’s IT administrator must also assign licences to eligible users. If you cannot access NotebookLM Plus, ask your IT administrator to enable these services for your account.
What happens if a school is not eligible or recognised to open a Google Workspace account?
If a school is not eligible for Google Workspace for Education, students cannot access NotebookLM Plus. To overcome this, schools can:
Explore options to qualify for Google Workspace for Education Fundamentals, which is free for accredited institutions.
Advocate for their school to apply for eligibility.
Use a personal Google account to access basic tools (NotebookLM remains restricted to users aged 18 and above).
Consider open-source alternatives like Joplin or Obsidian, although these lack NotebookLM’s AI-driven capabilities.
What happens to NotebookLM access after students graduate or leave school?
After graduation or leaving school, students typically lose access to their Google Workspace for Education account, including NotebookLM Plus. This occurs when the school deactivates the account, usually within 6-12 months. To prevent data loss, students should transfer notes and summaries created in NotebookLM to a personal account using tools like Google Takeout.
Can students continue using NotebookLM after leaving school?
To retain access to NotebookLM, students will need to create a personal Google account and meet the age requirement of 18 and above. NotebookLM features, including its advanced tools, are not tied to institutional accounts alone and can be used by eligible individuals outside of the school environment.
How can students save their NotebookLM content before leaving school?
Students should confirm their school’s account deactivation policy with the IT department. Before losing access, they can use Google Takeout to export all notes, summaries, and related data created in NotebookLM, or migrate to a free plan (if eligible) within a personal Google account or a NotebookLM Plus plan.
Do students need a personal Google account to transfer their NotebookLM data?
Yes. To export NotebookLM content using Google Takeout, students need a personal Google account. If they don’t have one, they should create it in advance to avoid losing access to their data.
Can I transfer my NotebookLM Plus account to my new school?
Yes, you can, but you cannot do it on your own. Your administrator must facilitate the transfer. An administrator can transfer users’ data, including email, calendars, documents, sites and more, from an existing account to a new one.
To begin, set up a new account with your new school and obtain the credentials. Once this is done, approach your previous school’s administrator to initiate the data transfer.
Is there an open-source alternative to NotebookLM?
Currently, there is no direct open-source equivalent to NotebookLM’s AI-powered summarisation and note-taking features. While tools like Joplin and Obsidian support basic note organisation, they lack the AI capabilities and seamless integrations found in NotebookLM. Self-hosted AI tools, such as those using Hugging Face or LangChain, can replicate some functionalities, but they require significant technical expertise and resources.
What can students do if schools don’t provide NotebookLM access at their school?
Students or guardians can work with school administrators to encourage adoption of Google Workspace for Education Fundamentals, which enables access to NotebookLM Plus. Schools benefit from free tools, advanced collaboration features, and access to cutting-edge AI-powered tools like NotebookLM, enhancing both teaching and learning experiences.
Why is NotebookLM Plus not available in my country?
While NotebookLM Plus, offered as part of Google Workspace for Education, is available globally in most countries, certain countries and regions are excluded. These include Crimea, Cuba, Donetsk People’s Republic, Luhansk People’s Republic, Iran, North Korea and Syria.
The NotebookLM free plan might be available in these countries or regions for personal use, but NotebookLM Plus for education use is not.
Simplified Summary for Accessibility
NotebookLM, part of Google Workspace for Education, is a smart AI tool that helps students and teachers improve learning. It includes features like creating summaries, organising notes, and providing clear insights, making it easier to work together. Schools using Google Workspace for Education Fundamentals can get NotebookLM Plus for free, with tools like Google Docs, Drive and Classroom working smoothly together.
However, NotebookLM Plus is not available in some regions, like Crimea, Cuba, Iran and North Korea. Students aged 18 and older can still use the free version of NotebookLM for personal learning.
