Guides /
How to use NotebookLM: a simple beginner guide
Go to notebooklm.google.com, sign in with Google, create a notebook, add your PDFs, Docs or web links, then ask questions. NotebookLM answers from your sources only and shows where each answer came from. It's free with a Gmail account.
Prices checked Oct 2026.
Step 1: make a notebook
Sign in at notebooklm.google.com and click New notebook. Think of a notebook as one folder per project: a house sale, a class, a health condition you're reading up on.
The free plan allows up to 100 notebooks and 50 sources each. Details are in Is NotebookLM free?.
Step 2: add sources
Upload PDFs, pick Google Docs, or paste a website link or text. NotebookLM only uses what you add, which is why its answers are easier to trust than a general chatbot.
Don't upload documents full of account numbers or other people's private information.
Step 3: ask, then listen
Type questions in the chat. Each answer comes with numbered citations you can click to see the exact passage.
Try an Audio Overview for a podcast-style recap you can listen to on a walk, or ask for flashcards to study with.
The first thing to type
Using only these sources, explain the 5 most important points in plain English, and tell me anything I need to do by a deadline.Common questions
Is NotebookLM free?
Yes, with a Google account. The free plan allows 100 notebooks with 50 sources each.
What can I upload to NotebookLM?
PDFs, Google Docs, website links and pasted text, among others.
Is NotebookLM better than ChatGPT for documents?
For questions about your own files, yes, because it answers only from them and shows its sources.
What is an Audio Overview?
A podcast-style spoken recap of your sources that you can listen to.
Sources (checked 2026-10-20): support.google.com/notebooklm/answer/16213268