Getting started¶
To use NotebookLM you need to be of legal age and have a Google account. Use a browser to access notebooklm.google
From here, clicking the "Try NotebookLM" button takes you to the main dashboard - this is when you'll need your Google account.
Apps are also available for Android and iOS, downloadable from their respective stores.
For Windows there's also a desktop app. To download it, open NotebookLM in Chrome, click the three vertical dots icon in the upper right, hover over "Cast, save, or share", then click "Install NotebookLM" in the submenu that appears.
NotebookLM's main interface is a dashboard with a minimalist design showing all created or shared notebooks. A notebook is equivalent to a folder that collects materials for a specific project, topic, or collection of information sources to explore, analyze, or synthesize.
Dashboard navigation¶
The main dashboard shows an overview of all projects. Each notebook appears as a clickable element, accompanied by its name, which is automatically generated by default based on the content entered.
Above the notebook list, on the left you'll find selectors to define which folders to display. My notebooks shows notebooks created with your account, while Shared with me shows those created by other accounts and shared with you. Obviously All shows both combined.
Also above the notebook list but on the right are selectors to define the display mode (grid / list) and order (Most recent / Title), and at the far right the Create new button that starts a new empty notebook.
The "Settings" button, located in the upper right, activates a dropdown menu when selected. Of the various options, only two impact the app. The first is Mode, which lets you select light mode, dark mode, or the device's default setting. The other is Output language, which defaults to "Default" (the computer's language), but you can also explicitly choose the language you want to use.
Language settings apply to several aspects of the system:
- User interface: all interface elements, from menus to buttons to descriptions, are displayed in the selected language.
- Chat responses: NotebookLM generates responses in the chosen language, regardless of the original source language (although response quality may suffer from automatic translations if there's a significant language mismatch).
- Audio generation: features using generated voice use the selected language, with appropriate voices for that specific language.
This is an international tool, particularly useful in multilingual contexts or for users who prefer to work in their native language even when sources may be in other languages.
Saving your work¶
The dashboard allows you to quickly switch between projects or resume work from where you left off. When working in a notebook, data is saved in real-time, so no specific action is needed when exiting - there's no "Save" button because it's not necessary.
As the number of notebooks grows, you'll appreciate the simplicity of this interface which, despite its minimalism, manages a complex system of information and relationships.
Understanding version limits¶
Before starting to use NotebookLM intensively, it's important to know the limits of the different available versions:
The Base (free) version offers:
- Creation of up to 100 notebooks
- Maximum 50 sources per notebook
- Limit of 500,000 words per source
- 50 chat questions per day
- 3 daily audio generations
- 3 daily video generations
The Plus version expands these limits to:
- 500 total notebooks
- 300 sources per notebook
- Same word limits per source (500,000)
- 500 chat questions per day
- 20 daily audio generations
- 20 daily video generations
These parameters affect project organization and source distribution across notebooks. For smaller projects or exploratory purposes, the Base version is generally sufficient. For professionals working on complex projects with numerous sources or requiring frequent interactions, the Plus version offers the flexibility needed for intensive use.