What you need to know
- NotebookLM’s new “Deep Research” feature automatically scours hundreds of websites and compiles a sourced report for you.
- NotebookLM also now digests a wider range of file types—from Google Sheets and Word docs to images of handwritten notes—eliminating the need to convert everything into a PDF first.
- You can keep adding your own materials and notes while Deep Research runs in the background.
In the realm of research, the challenge of managing a multitude of browser tabs and stacks of academic papers can often feel overwhelming. Google’s AI-driven notebook, NotebookLM, seeks to alleviate these burdens with its latest update. The tech giant recently announced a significant enhancement via a blog post, introducing the innovative Deep Research feature alongside an expanded array of compatible sources.
With Deep Research, users can simply input a topic, select “Web” as their source, and choose between “Fast Research” for a brief overview or “Deep Research” for a comprehensive exploration. This functionality, combined with the ability to upload documents and pose questions, positions NotebookLM as an increasingly valuable tool for researchers.
Wider source support
Beyond the introduction of Deep Research, NotebookLM now accommodates a broader spectrum of source types. Users can upload Google Sheets to inquire about statistics, incorporate Microsoft Word drafts, or utilize PDFs and other files from Google Drive by sharing their URLs. The platform even supports images of handwritten notes and brochures.
This upgrade marks a significant advancement from earlier iterations, which primarily catered to text files and PDFs. For users, the new features promise to drastically cut down the time spent searching for sources and managing file formats. Deep Research streamlines the process of gathering and organizing information, while the enhanced file-type support eliminates the hassle of converting everything into a PDF or plain text.
More importantly, this update consolidates user uploads, external web research, AI-generated summaries, and analysis into a single cohesive space. Users can then take advantage of NotebookLM’s additional tools, such as audio overviews and mind maps, to effectively digest the material.
Google has indicated that this update will be rolled out to all users within the next week, although some may experience a slight delay based on their region or Workspace plan. While AI can facilitate the sourcing process, users are encouraged to verify the relevance, context, and credibility of the gathered materials.
