How to Install NotebookLM (Free Version)

A step-by-step guide to setting up Google's AI-powered research assistant — no downloads required. Get started in minutes and unlock smarter note-taking today.

Go to NotebookLM

What is NotebookLM?

NotebookLM is a free AI-powered research and note-taking tool developed by Google. Unlike traditional note apps, it uses Google's Gemini AI to help you summarise documents, answer questions about your sources, and generate insights — all grounded in the material you provide.

It works entirely in your web browser, meaning there is nothing to download or install on your computer. All you need is a Google account and an internet connection to get started.

  • Summarise PDFs, Google Docs, and web pages
  • Ask questions directly about your uploaded sources
  • Generate study guides, briefing documents, and FAQs
  • Completely free to use with a personal Google account
Before You Begin

What You'll Need

NotebookLM has very few requirements — making it one of the most accessible AI tools available today. Check that you have everything below before starting.

A Google Account

A free personal Gmail or Google Workspace account. This is required to sign in and save your notebooks.

Internet Connection

A stable internet connection — broadband or Wi-Fi recommended for the best experience.

A Modern Web Browser

Google Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari. Chrome is recommended for the smoothest performance.

Age Requirement

You must be 18 years or older to use NotebookLM, as it is an AI tool subject to Google's usage policies.

Overview

Your Setup Journey at a Glance

The entire setup process takes fewer than five minutes. There are no software downloads, no credit card details, and no complex configurations — just a few simple steps to get you up and running.

Step 1

Open Your Web Browser

Begin by opening your preferred web browser on your computer, tablet, or mobile device. For the best experience with NotebookLM, Google Chrome is strongly recommended, as the tool is built and optimised by Google.

✅ Recommended Browsers

  • Google Chrome (best performance)
  • Mozilla Firefox
  • Microsoft Edge
  • Apple Safari (macOS / iOS)

💡 Pro Tip

Make sure your browser is up to date. An outdated browser may cause display issues or prevent certain features from loading correctly. You can check for updates in your browser's settings menu.

Step 2

Navigate to the NotebookLM Website

In your browser's address bar at the very top of the screen, type the following URL and press Enter on your keyboard:

This will take you directly to the NotebookLM homepage. You do not need to search for it on Google — typing the address directly is the quickest and most reliable method.

If the page does not load, double-check your internet connection and ensure you have typed the address correctly with no extra spaces or characters.

Step 3

The NotebookLM Homepage

Once the page loads, you will see the NotebookLM welcome screen. This clean, minimal page features a prominent "Try NotebookLM" or "Get Started" button in the centre of the screen.

What You'll See

A brief description of NotebookLM's features and a clear call-to-action button to begin.

What to Do

Click the blue "Try NotebookLM" button to proceed to the sign-in screen.

Already Signed In?

If you are already signed into Chrome with a Google account, you may be taken directly to the app dashboard.

Step 4

Sign In With Your Google Account

Clicking "Try NotebookLM" will redirect you to Google's standard sign-in page. Enter your Gmail address and click Next, then enter your password and click Next again.

If your Google account has two-factor authentication enabled (which is highly recommended for security), you will be prompted to verify your identity via your phone, an authenticator app, or a text message code.

Creating a Free Google Account

If you do not yet have a Google account, here is how to create one quickly. Skip this section if you already have a Gmail address.

01

Visit accounts.google.com/signup

Navigate to the Google account creation page in your browser.

02

Enter Your Name and Choose a Username

Fill in your first and last name, then choose a Gmail username (e.g. yourname@gmail.com). Google will let you know if it is already taken.

03

Create a Strong Password

Choose a secure password of at least 8 characters combining letters, numbers, and symbols.

04

Verify Your Phone Number

Enter a mobile number to receive a verification code via SMS. This helps secure your account.

05

Accept Google's Terms and Finish

Review and accept Google's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy to complete the sign-up process.

Step 5

Review and Accept the Terms of Service

On your first visit to NotebookLM, Google may present a brief onboarding screen or ask you to acknowledge the tool's terms and conditions. Read through the information carefully before proceeding.

Key Points to Know

  • NotebookLM is free to use with a personal Google account
  • Your uploaded sources are used only within your own notebooks
  • Google may use anonymised data to improve its AI models
  • The tool is currently available in select regions worldwide

What to Click

Once you have read the information, click the "Continue" or "I Agree" button to proceed to the main NotebookLM interface. You will not need to do this again on future visits.

Step 6

You're In — The NotebookLM Dashboard

Welcome to your NotebookLM home screen! This clean dashboard is where all your notebooks will live. On your first visit, the screen will be mostly empty — this is perfectly normal.

Here is a quick overview of the main elements you will see:

My Notebooks Panel

The central area displays all your saved notebooks as cards. Each notebook contains its own sources and AI-generated insights.

"New Notebook" Button

Located in the top-right corner — this is your starting point for every new research project.

Account Menu

Your Google profile icon sits in the top-right corner for account settings and sign-out options.

Step 7

Create Your First Notebook

A notebook in NotebookLM is like a project folder. Each notebook can hold up to 50 sources — such as PDFs, Google Docs, or web links — and the AI will answer questions based solely on those sources.

How to Create a Notebook

  1. Click the "+ New Notebook" button
  1. A new notebook will open immediately
  1. Click the pencil icon at the top to give it a name
  1. Choose a descriptive title like "Research Project" or "Study Notes"

How Many Notebooks Can I Have?

With the free version of NotebookLM, you can create up to 100 notebooks. Each notebook is independent, so your sources and notes from one project will never mix with another.

Step 8

Add Your First Source

Sources are the foundation of every NotebookLM notebook. The AI will only draw on the content you provide — making your results accurate and grounded in your own material.

Upload a PDF

Click "Upload" and select a PDF file from your computer. Great for research papers, reports, or textbooks.

Add a Google Doc

Paste the link to any Google Doc you own or have access to. The AI will read the full contents automatically.

Paste a Web URL

Copy a link from any public website and paste it into the source field. NotebookLM will extract the text content.

Copy & Paste Text

Paste any block of text directly — meeting notes, articles, transcripts — and it becomes a searchable source instantly.

Step 9

Uploading a PDF — Detailed Walkthrough

Uploading a PDF is the most common way to add a source. Here is exactly how to do it:

1

Click "Add Source"

Inside your notebook, click the blue "Add Source" button on the left panel.

2

Choose "Upload File"

Select "Upload" from the options that appear in the pop-up window.

3

Select Your PDF

A file browser will open. Navigate to your PDF and click "Open" to begin the upload.

4

Wait for Processing

NotebookLM will process the file — this usually takes 10–30 seconds depending on the file size.

Step 10

Ask Your First Question

With at least one source added, you are ready to start using NotebookLM's AI. On the right side of the screen, you will find the Chat panel — this is where the magic happens.

How to Chat With Your Sources

  • Click inside the text box at the bottom of the chat panel
  • Type your question in plain English
  • Press Enter or click the send button
  • The AI will respond with an answer drawn from your sources
  • Click the numbered citations to jump to the exact passage in your document

Example Questions to Try

  • "What are the main arguments in this document?"
  • "Summarise this PDF in three bullet points"
  • "What does the author say about climate change?"
  • "Create a study guide from this text"
Key Features

What Can You Do With NotebookLM?

Now that you are set up, here is a look at the most powerful features available on the free plan — all accessible from your notebook dashboard.

Auto-Generate Summaries

NotebookLM automatically creates a summary of each source you add. Click the source in your panel to see a concise overview without reading the full document.

Suggested Questions

Below each source summary, NotebookLM suggests key questions you might want to ask. These are a fantastic way to quickly explore new material.

Save Notes

Any AI response can be saved as a note with one click. Your notes are stored alongside your sources, keeping everything organised in one place.

Audio Overview (Podcast Mode)

Generate a conversational audio summary of your notebook — NotebookLM creates a realistic two-host podcast-style discussion based on your sources.

Free Plan Limits — What to Expect

NotebookLM's free tier is generous, but it does have a few limits worth knowing about before you dive in.

100

Max Notebooks

Create up to 100 separate notebooks on the free plan.

50

Sources per Notebook

Each notebook supports up to 50 individual sources.

500K

Words per Source

Each source can contain up to 500,000 words of text content.

3

Audio Overviews/Day

You can generate up to 3 Audio Overview podcasts per day on the free tier.

Troubleshooting

Common Issues & How to Fix Them

🚫 "NotebookLM is not available in your country"

NotebookLM is currently available in most regions but not all. If you see this message, try accessing via a supported country's Google account, or check Google's official availability page for updates on expansion.

🔄 Page Won't Load or Keeps Spinning

Clear your browser's cache and cookies, then reload the page. If the problem persists, try a different browser or disable browser extensions that might be interfering with the page.

📄 PDF Upload Fails or Shows an Error

Ensure your PDF is not password-protected or encrypted. Files must be under 200MB. Try exporting a fresh copy of the PDF from the original application and uploading again.

🤖 AI Gives Incorrect or Vague Answers

This can happen with low-quality scans or images-only PDFs. Try uploading a text-based PDF instead, or copy and paste the text directly as a source for better AI comprehension.

Tips & Tricks

Get the Most Out of NotebookLM

Power User Tips

Organise by Project

Create one notebook per project, subject, or client. Keeping sources grouped means more focused and accurate AI responses.

Use Specific Questions

The more specific your question, the better the answer. Instead of "summarise this," try "What are the three main risks identified in section 2?"

Save Key Responses as Notes

Click the bookmark icon on any AI response to save it as a note. You can later export all your notes as a Google Doc.

Try the Audio Overview

Generate an Audio Overview to hear a conversational summary of your notebook — perfect for commutes or revision on the go.

You're All Set! 🎉

Congratulations — you have successfully set up NotebookLM and are ready to transform the way you research, study, and organise information. From uploading your first source to generating AI-powered summaries and audio overviews, you now have everything you need to get started.

🔗 Go to NotebookLM

Visit notebooklm.google.com to open your dashboard and start your first notebook.

📖 Explore Google's Help Centre

Visit Google's official support pages for the latest NotebookLM documentation, tips, and feature updates.

🚀 Upgrade to NotebookLM Plus

Need more notebooks, higher limits, or priority access? Consider upgrading via Google One AI Premium.