There is no shortage of productivity apps out there. Whether it's traditional tools like OneNote and Evernote or new-age solutions like Notion, Obsidian, and Capacities, each promises to streamline our workflow and boost efficiency. But most of them fall short and offer only incremental improvements or replicate features we already use. Enter NotebookLM, a platform that goes beyond conventional productivity solutions.
NotebookLM isn't just another note-taking app or document organizer. It's a neat platform powered by advanced AI that brings unique features to the table. Here are the exclusive features that set NotebookLM apart in a crowded productivity market.
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4 unique ways I use NotebookLM to get the best out of it
My NotebookLM blueprint
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3 Create a personalized search engine
That's neatly integrated into Google Workspace
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Creating a personalized search engine right within a NotebookLM notebook based on my own sources is powerful, and it's something unique that sets it apart from other tools.
It all starts with adding my sources. I can bring in almost anything I'm working with. I can add my documents, presentations, Markdown files, PDFs, images, and even YouTube links. Once my sources are in, NotebookLM works its magic.
Unlike a general-purpose AI like ChatGPT or Gemini, which pulls answers from the internet, NotebookLM is grounded entirely in my data. This means when I ask a question, I get answers directly relevant to my specific research or project. It also points back to the exact source within my uploaded materials. Neat, isn't it?
And if I realize I need more information, or want to broaden my knowledge base for a specific notebook, I can always use the 'Discover' menu to add more sources directly from the web.
For instance, if I'm researching a car model, I can add the official brochure, documentation, user manual, and a couple of reviews from reputable sources, and avoid other fluff on the internet. I can ask relevant questions and receive astute answers in no time.
2 Multimodal understanding
Your AI research partner
NotebookLM isn't just about throwing a bunch of text and documents at an AI and getting a summary. NotebookLM processes information from all the sources and treats them all as part of a unified knowledge base.
Suppose I'm researching a new marketing strategy for a client in the renewable energy sector. My sources aren't just dry reports. I might have a PDF report on the latest solar panel efficiency breakthroughs, a Google Doc with my internal team's brainstorming notes from a recent meeting, a relevant YouTube video, a website URL to a competitor's recent press release, and even an audio recording of a client interview where they discuss their priorities and challenges.
In most other tools, I would have to read/watch/listen, and manually piece together the connections in my head or in a separate document. But NotebookLM understands the content across all of them.
I can then ask a question like 'Based on all my sources, what are most promising opportunities between solar and wind energy for B2B clients, considering our client's stated challenges?', and NotebookLM will draw insights from the technical PDF, the expert's discussions in the YouTube video, and even connect it to the client's needed expressed in the audio recording.
1 Audio overviews based on added sources
And don't forget mind maps!
This is where NotebookLM truly elevates itself beyond simple summarization or Q&A. Suppose you have a massive research paper, a long meeting transcript, or even a collection of articles that you need to internalize but don't have time to read through.
Here's how I use it. I simply gather all my relevant sources and head to the Studio panel to create an audio overview. It produces a two-host podcast-style discussion of my sources. One host might introduce a topic, and the other might elaborate or pose a follow-up question. It creates a natural-sounding dialogue.
I use it all the time whenever I need to review complex legal documents before a meeting, or even just listen to my research during my commute.
There is even an option to visualize complex subjects with mind maps. Suppose I'm learning about Artificial Intelligence. Once I have uploaded all the documents, NotebookLM starts with 'Artificial Intelligence' as the central node.
Then, it would branch out into key subtopics like Machine Learning, Natural Language Processing, Computer Vision, Ethical AI, and more. Each of these branches can then expand further into more detailed sub-nodes.
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I was ready to dismiss this NotebookLM feature, but I'm actually impressed
I didn't expect Audio Overviews to be good, but I was pleasantly surprised
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The NotebookLM edge
NotebookLM isn't just Google Keep on steroids. And it doesn't aim to replace your existing productivity toolkit either. You can easily use it with your current knowledge management, like Obsidian. What are you waiting for? Leverage NotebookLM's unique capabilities, get more efficient, future-proof your workflow, and gain a significant edge in how you manage, synthesize, and create with information.
If you are new to NotebookLM, Google's AI note-taking tool might feel overwhelming at first glance. Check out these tips and tricks to get started with NotebookLM in no time.
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