Paolo Dalprato

NotebookLM: a complete user guide¶

Last updated: January 10, 2026

This is a comprehensive guide to NotebookLM. It's one of the most interesting tools in the generative AI landscape - and in the following pages I'll explain why it's so special and how it can transform the way you work with content.

Why this guide¶

In the vibrant and fast-paced world of generative AI, NotebookLM stands out. It's not just another AI-based app, but something "different" that obviously needs to be used differently from other chatbots.

I decided to write this guide for two simple reasons:

I actually use it: I use it regularly and can guarantee that it's not only technically excellent, but genuinely useful.
It's a unique tool: it offers features that aren't easily found elsewhere in the generative AI ecosystem, and therefore deserves a dedicated guide to help unlock its full potential.

I had already written a version of this manual last May, but since then NotebookLM has become practically a different application: updated interface, new features, new possibilities.

Who this guide is for¶

This guide is designed for professionals in various fields who want to:

Understand NotebookLM's potential
Integrate it into their workflows
Leverage all its advanced features
Apply it to concrete use cases in their field

Guide structure¶

The guide is organized in progressive chapters covering:

NotebookLM's distinctive features
Setup and initial configuration
Source management and content organization
Advanced features (mind maps, audio, sharing)
Best practices and operational strategies
Professional use cases across different sectors

License¶

This text is released under Creative Commons CC BY-NC 4.0 license