The quick read
- Choose a small set of current, relevant documents and label their versions.
- A source-based assistant can still misunderstand a passage or combine incompatible documents.
Use the current name
Google renamed NotebookLM to Gemini Notebook in July 2026. Its announcement describes the same standalone research product with broader Google connections and added computing capabilities. Older tutorials may still use the NotebookLM name, so check their date before following interface instructions.
Curate before asking
Choose a small set of current, relevant documents and label their versions. For an onboarding brief, separate the active policy from old drafts and informal notes. Ask questions tied to that collection and request the evidence behind important answers.
Review the source boundary
A source-based assistant can still misunderstand a passage or combine incompatible documents. Check qualifications and unresolved disagreements in the originals. Add new material deliberately instead of assuming a larger notebook is always better. If using analysis or code features, inspect their inputs and calculations as well. The strongest workflow is a maintained collection with an owner, a defined audience and a clear reason for each source to be included.
Sources & notes
Source-based guide, not a hands-on product test. Features and availability can change.
blog.google — official reference
Sources reviewed for the September 2026 launch edition.