How to Use Google NotebookLM: A Step-by-Step Tutorial for Scientists and Students

 

What is Google NotebookLM?

NotebookLM is Google’s AI-powered notebook tool that allows you to upload your own sources (journal articles, PDFs, slides, YouTube videos, websites, and more). Unlike general AI tools, NotebookLM grounds all its answers in the sources you provide, making it more accurate and reliable for research.

Key Features:

• Converts dense research into audio podcasts, video summaries, slides, and mind maps
  
  

• Supports 80 languages for broader accessibility
  
  

• Free and paid plans with different source upload limits (50, 100, or 500 sources)
  
  

• Designed for deep understanding of complex topics
  
  

Step 1: Access NotebookLM

1. Open your browser and go to notebooklm.google.com
   
   

2. Sign in with your Google account.
   
   

3. You’ll land on the home screen where you can create a new notebook.
   
   

Are you a visual person? 🎥 Watch the video tutorial instead

Step 2: Add Your Sources

When you create a new notebook, you’ll see three main sections: Sources, Chat, and Studio.

• Under Sources, you can upload:
  
  

• PDF files
  
  

• Text documents
  
  

• Google Docs & Google Slides
  
  

• Audio files
  
  

• YouTube links
  
  

• Website URLs
  
  

Pro Tip: If you don’t have sources, use the Discover Sources button to find relevant academic articles or click I’m Feeling Curious to let NotebookLM suggest topics.

Step 3: Explore the Chat Section

Once your sources are uploaded, NotebookLM generates a summary and offers quick actions:

• Save notes
  
  

• Add an audio overview (podcast)
  
  

• Generate a mind map
  
  

Step 4: Use the Studio Features

This is where NotebookLM shines. In the Studio panel, you can create:

• Audio Overviews (Podcasts): Listen while cooking, cleaning, or walking.
  
  

• Video Overviews: NotebookLM builds slides and narrates the content.
  
  

• Mind Maps: Great for visual learners.
  
  

• Reports: Including study guides, glossaries, FAQs, timelines, and briefing docs.
  
  

Step 5: Share and Customize

• Use the Share button to collaborate with colleagues or classmates.
  
  

• Change the output language in Settings.
  
  

• Download your generated podcast or video for offline use.
  
  

Use Cases for Scientists & Students

For Scientists:

• Summarize dense journal articles into digestible podcasts.
  
  

• Create timelines of mutations, discoveries, or experiments.
  
  

• Generate glossaries of complex terms on the topic that you are analyzing.
  
  

For Students:

• Turn class notes or PDFs into podcasts for exam revision.
  
  

• Generate study guides and flashcards.
  
  

• Explore academic sources in an interactive way.
  
  

Other Creative Uses:

• Daily journaling and self-reflection via AI-generated podcasts.
  
  

• Learning trivia or new fields outside your main study area.
  
  

Conclusion

Google NotebookLM turned out to be more than a note-taking app -it allowed me assisted me in researching topics. It can be useful for tackling journal articles and preparing for exams, if you are a student.

Ready to see NotebookLM in action? Watch the full tutorial on Adwoa Biotech’s YouTube channel and subscribe for more science tools and productivity hacks!

September 04, 2025 Tags : Data Analysis , Research Tools

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