Google Gemini gains deep NotebookLM integration in new update

Google is integrating its AI-powered research tool, NotebookLM, into Gemini in an update rolling out now. The company will now let users manage their notebooks directly from the Gemini interface, as well as create new projects and add relevant files and links which Gemini can use for context. This change is coming to paid subscribers first, but the company plans to give free users access in coming weeks.

Google already added NotebookLM to the Gemini app as a source in 2025, but this new release means that users can create and manage notebooks right from the Gemini interface. You'll be able to move past chats into your notebooks and have Gemini work with PDFs, documents, videos, and more to inform your research.

"Notebooks let you use more sources depending on your subscription plan, helping you tackle bigger tasks and longer-running projects. And since notebooks sync across the Gemini app and NotebookLM, any source you add in one place automatically appears in the other," Google's Rebecca Zapfel said in a blog post.

Zapfel suggests use cases like compiling class notes into a notebook and later asking Gemini to generate an essay outline based on that material. As with other generative AI tools, though, Google cautions that outputs may contain inaccuracies and should be double-checked.

The company is rolling out the new feature to Google AI Ultra, Pro and Plus subscribers on the web to start with, with an expansion to Europe and free users planned soon.

A more unified Gemini

Google's always been known for fragmenting functionality across different products and offering different apps which circle around the same feature set. NotebookLM was weirdly disconnected from Gemini despite making perfect sense as an interconnected product. It's always been a powerful app for building a bank of research notes around your topic of choice, and Google's Gemini is pretty good at handling a large amount of data (especially if you pay for the AI Pro or AI Ultra plans).

Gemini's unique selling point has always been its integration with other Google products. This update doesn’t reinvent that idea, but it does make it more cohesive.

It is estimated that over three quarters of a billion people use the Gemini app. Premium "Enterprise" subscriptions are relatively numerous at over 8 million.