Google Overhauls Gemini Notebook Usage Limits with Compute-Based Model Starting September 2

Gemini Notebook is ditching its simple daily limits for a more complicated model

Google is making a big change to how Gemini Notebook works, introducing compute-based usage limits. This is similar to how Gemini already works, with usage limits based on the prompt's length, context window, and complexity. Until May this year, Google calculated Gemini's daily usage limit based on the number of prompts. This was different from how ChatGPT and Claude calculated their usage limits, which were based on token consumption. But right after I/O 2026 in May, Google switched to a similar compute-used model for Gemini. More importantly, it switched to a five-hour usage limit window instead of a 24-hour one. The changes did not apply to Gemini Notebook (then known as NotebookLM). It has continued offering prompt-based limits. These range from three audio/video overviews and 10 reports or quizzes per day on the free tier to as many as 5,000 daily chat queries and 200 audio/video overviews on the Ultra plan. However, this will change starting September 2, 2026, with Google rolling out similar compute-based usage limits. Google's support page says the following about the change: "Starting on September 2, 2026, Gemini Notebook will have compute-based usage limits that determine how much you can interact with features. The limits factor the complexity of your prompt, the models and features you use, the length of your chat and specific features. If you've hit your usage limits, you can come back later as the quota refreshes every 5 hours until you reach your weekly limit, or upgrade Gemini Notebook to get higher AI limits." Get higher Gemini Notebook limits with a Google AI plan On the free plan, "standard limits" will apply. On the AI Plus plan, you get "two times higher" usage than standard limits, while the Pro plan bumps it to four times. With AI Ultra, that usage limit goes up to 5x or 20x higher depending on whether you are on the $100 or $200 plan. Google's announcement says that your notebook will "suggest alternative outputs if your first choice surpasses your limit." And when you hit your usage limit, you can schedule Video Overviews or Slide Deck to be generated later. Gemini Notebook will automatically send a notification once they are generated.

Gemini Notebook switching to compute-based usage limits, like Gemini app

Following the Gemini app in May, Gemini Notebook is switching to "compute-specific usage limits" starting in September. This system replaces the set number of feature generations per day that depended on your Google AI tier. Limits refresh every five hours "rather than daily." Google explains that "your overall usage limit will factor in prompt complexity, chat length, number of sources, and the features you use." Notebooks will "help you keep track of your usage," with a status appearing below the chat: * "You're almost at your AI usage limit. Limit resets at 3:00 PM." * "Limit reached. All features are available after 3:00 PM." Another indicator will appear at the bottom of Studio generations to show expected AI usage cost: "The more the bar is filled in, the higher the expected cost." Gemini Notebook will "suggest alternative outputs if your first choice surpasses your limit." There's also "Generate later" to "defer generating outputs," like intensive Video Overviews or Slide Decks. Google will automatically create them once your limit resets, with this feature coming first to the web. * Free/Without a plan: Standard limits * Google AI Plus: 2x higher than standard limits * Google AI Pro: 4x higher than standard limits * Google AI Ultra: 5x or 20x higher than AI Pro depending on your subscription The new compute-based usage limits will start rolling out to consumer accounts on web and mobile on September 2.

Gemini Notebook is Getting Major Changes this September

Google's been announcing a lot of new and upcoming AI features this month, and the company is also planning on bringing these updates to Gemini Notebook soon. Starting September 2, Gemini Notebook will introduce more flexible compute-specific usage limits for all consumer accounts on web and mobile platforms. According to Google, the updated system will shift from daily caps to limits that refresh every five hours, and will provide users with continuous access to features throughout the day. Under this new model, overall usage limits will dynamically be calculated based on prompt complexity, chat length, the number of sources attached, and specific feature demands. To assist users in managing their compute budget, the notebook interface will track usage in real-time and also suggest alternative outputs if a primary request exceeds available limits. According to Google: You'll continue to have access to all the features that you use and love. This change will give you more choice over how you want to spend your limits and manage your tasks. And since limits refresh every five hours rather than daily, you can now keep working throughout the day. READ: Gemini Live Now Handles Your Emails and Daily To-Do Lists That being said, users who reach their usage cap can now defer resource-heavy tasks, such as generating Video Overviews or Slide Decks. These deferred tasks will automatically process in the background once limits refresh, and users can also enable notifications to receive an alert the moment their files are ready.