About NotebookLM Reference
Quick Overview
This is an independent reference site. It documents how Google's AI research notebook works — its features, pricing, privacy behaviour, and step-by-step workflows. The project has no affiliation with Google.
NotebookLM Reference exists because the tool moves fast and reliable third-party documentation is scarce. When Google ships a change to source limits, adds a new audio-overview mode, or rolls out a feature to Workspace accounts, the official changelog is brief. This project fills that gap by tracking changes, running hands-on testing, and writing explanations that prioritise accuracy over advocacy.
Purpose of this site
The goal is straightforward: give researchers, students, educators, and knowledge workers a single place to understand what the tool does and does not do. That means covering features in detail, documenting the pricing tiers without sales pressure, explaining the privacy and data-handling policies in plain language, and publishing honest assessments when behaviour does not match Google's documentation.
This site is not a news outlet. It does not publish rumours, speculation about unreleased features, or commentary on Google's broader product strategy. Every claim on these pages is either sourced from Google's published documentation, observable in the product itself, or explicitly flagged as an editorial inference.
Editorial principles
Three rules govern everything published here. First, primary sources come first: if Google's own support documentation contradicts something on this site, this site is wrong and will be corrected. Second, uncertainty is disclosed: where the editorial team has tested a behaviour but cannot find official confirmation, the text says so. Third, commercial relationships are disclosed: if any advertiser or partner ever influences content, that relationship will appear in a clear disclosure notice at the top of the relevant page. As of the current publication date, no such relationships exist.
Pages are written to describe what the product does for the reader — not to persuade. You will not find urgency language, countdown timers, or affiliate pricing links on this site. The tool is genuinely useful; it does not need a sales pitch.
Independence disclosure
This project is not affiliated with Google LLC, Alphabet Inc., or any team involved in building or operating the AI notebook. The name NotebookLM belongs to Google. This site uses the name descriptively to document a publicly available product, in the same way that a consumer guide might document the features of any widely used application.
Google has not reviewed, approved, sponsored, or endorsed any content on this site. Readers who need authoritative product support should use the official help resources. For editorial-level AI guidance, the OECD AI principles portal provides a useful independent reference on responsible AI documentation practices.
How pages are kept current
The editorial team reviews the product on a structured cycle. Pages covering pricing, source limits, and feature availability are checked every four to six weeks, because those details change most often. Conceptual pages — architecture explanations, comparison guides — are reviewed quarterly unless a major announcement makes an earlier update necessary. The table below summarises the current scope and update rhythm by area.
| Area | Coverage | Last updated |
|---|---|---|
| Features & capabilities | All major surfaces: chat, audio overviews, notes, sharing | April 2026 |
| Pricing & tiers | Free tier, Plus tier, Workspace add-on pricing | April 2026 |
| Data & privacy | Training opt-outs, retention, Workspace vs personal | April 2026 |
| How-to guides | Step-by-step workflows, first-notebook setup | March 2026 |
| Mobile & platform | iOS and Android app, web client, offline access | March 2026 |
| History & context | Product timeline, Gemini model lineage | February 2026 |
Corrections and feedback
If you find an error — a stale number, a feature description that no longer matches the product, or a broken link — please use the contact page. The editorial team treats corrections as the most valuable contribution a reader can make. Verified corrections are published within five business days and acknowledged in the page's revision note.
Questions about this reference site
Common questions about who maintains this project, how it stays accurate, and what it covers.
Who runs this NotebookLM reference site?
This site is run by an independent editorial team. It is not affiliated with Google, Alphabet, or any product team behind the AI assistant. The project exists to document how the tool works, track feature changes, and give researchers and students a reliable reference that is not a press release.
How often are pages updated?
High-traffic pages such as pricing and feature lists are reviewed every four to six weeks. Evergreen pages like the how-to walkthrough are on a quarterly cycle. When Google ships a major change — a new source type, a revised tier cap, a new audio-overview mode — the relevant page is updated within five business days of the announcement or our own hands-on verification, whichever comes first.
Can I contribute corrections or new content?
Yes. The fastest route is the contact page. Include a clear description of the change and a link to a primary source where possible — Google's own documentation, an official changelog, or a reproducible observation in the product. The team reviews every submission. We cannot promise to publish every suggestion, but verified corrections are acted on quickly.
Does this site endorse other AI tools?
No. The focus is exclusively on this particular research notebook. Comparisons with general-purpose chat tools appear only where they help the reader understand a specific design choice — and they are factual, not promotional. This site has no advertising or affiliate relationships with any AI tool provider.
Ready to try the tool itself?
The how-to walkthrough takes you from a blank notebook to your first audio overview in eight steps — no prior experience needed.
Read the step-by-step guideMore on NotebookLM from this reference
The most-visited pages on this site are the NotebookLM features overview, the hands-on how-to-use-NotebookLM guide, the long-form NotebookLM guide, and the NotebookLM pricing breakdown. Anyone who wants to understand what makes this assistant distinct from a general chatbot usually reads the NotebookLM review and then the Gemini and NotebookLM architecture page. The data and privacy page is the most bookmarked page among enterprise readers.
If you are new to the tool, the NotebookLM tutorial is designed for first-time users and covers the basics without assuming prior knowledge. The NotebookLM AI primer explains where it fits in the broader landscape of large-language-model tools. Platform-specific readers tend to visit the NotebookLM app page for Android and iOS detail, or the web client reference for browser-specific notes. The editorial team page and contact page are the right starting points if you want to reach the people who maintain this reference.