NotebookLM: AI for Research and Document Analysis
NotebookLM is a Google tool that combines artificial intelligence and content organization to facilitate research and document analysis. It falls under the category of AI research tools. This platform allows you to work directly from your own sources (such as PDF files, websites, YouTube videos, audio files, and Google documents or presentations), generating summaries, FAQs, timelines, and study guides with verifiable citations.
For SMEs/SMBs and independent professionals, it represents an efficient way to transform large volumes of information into useful knowledge, without relying on external analysts.
AgentAya Verdict
This tool has already established itself as one of the best AI tools for document research and content analysis within the Google ecosystem. It is ideal for professionals, consultants, or SMEs/SMBs who already use Google Workspace and need an assistant capable of summarizing, relating, and presenting information in multiple formats.
Its main strength lies in the accuracy of its citations and its native integration with Google Drive.
However, its integrations remain limited to the Google environment, and support is primarily based on self-service channels.
Score Breakdown
| Category | Score | Description |
| Features and Functionality | 5.0 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Broad capacity to analyze, summarize, and link diverse sources. |
| Integrations | 3.5 ⭐⭐⭐ | Limited to the Google ecosystem. |
| Language and Support | 4.5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Multilingual interface and support. |
| Ease of Use | 5.0 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Interface similar to Google Docs, minimal learning curve. |
| Value for Money | 5.0 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Robust free plan; Pro features in Workspace and Google Cloud. |
AgentAya Overall Score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.8 / 5
An advanced solution for SMEs/SMBs that already operate with Google tools and require efficiency in research.
Ideal for:
- Professionals who manage large volumes of information.
- SMEs/SMBs that work with Google Workspace.
- Research or writing teams that need verifiable results.
Not Ideal for:
- Users looking for a completely free tool without restrictions.
- Companies that rely on platforms outside the Google ecosystem.
- Businesses that require localized support or advanced customization.
Key Features
- Centralizes multiple sources: PDFs, Google Docs, Slides, websites, audio files, and videos.
- Generates summaries, FAQs, study guides, and documents with verifiable citations.
- Offers collaboration between users (« full access » or « chat only »).
- The Pro version allows for customizing the style and length of responses, as well as offering usage statistics.
- Automatically creates timelines, presentations, and reference materials.
These functions allow SMEs/SMBs to save time and obtain professional reports and deliverables without relying on external analysts.
AI Functions
NotebookLM is built on Gemini 2.0 models, with multimodal understanding of text, audio, video, and images.
Its artificial intelligence allows it to:
- Generate summaries, concept maps, and study guides from the materials the user uploads.
- Convert documents into auditory conversations using the Audio Overview feature, which transforms notebook content into narrated podcast-style explanations.
- Create documents, timelines, and presentations based on contextualized reasoning from the sources.
Unlike other assistants, NotebookLM provides exact citations from the original sources, ensuring transparency and reliability in academic and business environments.
Integrations
NotebookLM integrates natively with Google Drive, allowing the import and analysis of Google Docs and Slides. It also supports PDF files, websites, audio files, and YouTube links.
Its connection with third-party systems or local CRMs is currently limited. However, within the Google ecosystem, synchronization is fluid and secure.
Security and Data Compliance
Google guarantees that the data uploaded to NotebookLM (sources, queries, and responses) is not used to train AI models. All information is encrypted in transit and at rest, and Workspace administrators can apply advanced Identity and Access Management (IAM) controls and perimeter security policies using VPC-SC.
It complies with major international regulations, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and respects copyright.
Users retain ownership of their data and can manage their privacy from their Google account.
Language – Customer Support and Interface
The interface is available in several languages, including Spanish, both in the web version and the mobile application. Support is offered through the Google Help Center, support articles, and community forums, without personalized chat or phone assistance.
Companies that purchase enterprise editions can access specialized support through Google Cloud.
AI Language
The NotebookLM AI understands and generates content in Spanish, in addition to over 50 other languages.
Users can choose the output language for summaries, responses, and audio from their Google account settings. Thanks to the Gemini models, it can interpret and combine multilingual texts within the same notebook, making it very useful for international teams and Spanish speakers.
Mobile Access
NotebookLM has official mobile applications for Android and iOS, in addition to its browser version. It allows reading, summarizing, listening to, and managing notebooks from any device. The mobile experience is almost identical to the desktop version, with complete cloud synchronization.
Support, Onboarding Process, and Account Management
It includes detailed documentation, explanatory videos, and quick guides in the Help Center.
It does not offer personalized onboarding or dedicated account management, although its simple design makes it suitable for SMEs/SMBs with little technical experience.
Enterprise editions include additional training materials and support from the Google Workspace team.
Ease of Use / UX
The interface replicates the design of Google Docs and Drive, reducing the learning curve to a few minutes. The main functions are clearly visible, and navigation is fluid.
An SME/SMB can upload, organize, and analyze documents in less than an hour from its first use. Its simplicity makes it an accessible and powerful tool for any user in the Google ecosystem.
Pricing and Plans
- Free Plan for Individuals: Allows starting at no cost, with access to all essential functions (PDFs, websites, Google documents and presentations, YouTube videos, audio files) and generation of summaries, FAQs, timelines, and audio summaries.
- Pro and Enterprise Plans: Aimed at advanced users, teams, and organizations. They include premium features such as shared notebooks, usage analytics, customization of response style and length, and additional privacy and security options. They are available through Google One (individual users), Google Workspace (businesses), and Google Cloud (large organizations).
- Educational Plans: NotebookLM can also be enabled through Google Workspace for Education, allowing academic institutions and teachers to create materials, guides, and presentations with the same guarantees of privacy and compliance.
Case Study
A research agency uploads consumer reports, interview videos, and survey data to NotebookLM. In minutes, they get an executive summary with clear citations and an Audio Overview that the team shares as an internal podcast.
The result: 60% less time spent on analysis and clearer, better-documented presentations, without the need for external analysts.
NotebookLM vs. Alternatives
| Product | Main Focus | Differentiating Strengths | Limitations or When Not Ideal |
| NotebookLM | Research based on your own sources (PDFs, websites, audio, video) with AI that summarizes and connects content. | Allows uploading proprietary files and receiving responses with verifiable citations; seamless integration with the Google ecosystem. | It is not primarily oriented toward real-time searches on the web or broad discovery of unknown literature; its external integrations are limited. |
| Perplexity AI | Search engine + AI: combines web queries, answers with summaries and citations, functions as an « online » research assistant. | Excellent for quick access to recent web information, supports different AI models, good option for general exploration. | Less suitable for analyzing documents the user already possesses and needs to exploit; it may have accuracy limitations in some answers. |
| ResearchRabbit | Mapping of academic literature and discovery of scientific papers through visualization of citations and relationships between articles. | Perfect for literature reviews, identifying key works, visualizing citation networks. | It is not designed to upload varied files such as videos or audio for analysis; its focus is academic rather than general business documentation. |
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FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Is NotebookLM good for SMEs/SMBs?
Yes. It allows organizing complex information and generating verifiable deliverables without the need for additional software.
Does it support Spanish?
Yes. Both the interface and the AI function in Spanish and over 50 other languages.
Does NotebookLM use my data to train models?
No. Google confirms that your documents and responses are not used to train the AI.
Does NotebookLM have a mobile version?
Yes. It has applications for Android and iOS with complete synchronization.
What are the best alternatives to NotebookLM?
The closest alternative is Perplexity AI, especially for its Deep Research mode, which allows for exhaustive web searches with well-founded responses and verifiable citations.