NotebookLM note taking turns PDFs, Google Docs/Slides, web pages, YouTube links, audio, and transcripts into source-grounded AI notes with inline citations. This 2025 guide will show you how to import your sources, organize your notes, and generate a study guide, quiz, and flashcards in Google NotebookLM. Compare with our ChatGPT guide or browse our full AI Note Taking Hub.
My NotebookLM Workflow:
- Add your sources: Audio, PDFs, Docs/Slides, text/Markdown, web & YouTube URLs, audio.
- Scope the chat: select sources, ask for H2/H3 outlines and clean summaries.
- Generate reports: Study Guide, FAQ/Briefing in Reports.
- Create practice: built-in Flashcards and Quizzes.
- Deepen understanding: Audio Overviews, Video Overviews, and Mind Maps.
- Export & review: copy notes, save reports, and schedule spaced practice.
Step 1 — Add Sources to NotebookLM
Goal: Build a clean, citable corpus for grounded answers.
- Click Create New Notebook → Upload a Source or Discover sources on the web.
- Supported: PDF, text/Markdown, Google Docs, Google Slides, web URLs, YouTube URLs, & audio files.
- Scale tips: up to 50 sources; each file up to 200MB or ~500k words. Keep one topic per source when possible.
Prompt: Import plan (paste in NotebookLM chat)
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We will study [course/topic]. I will add sources grouped by module. Acknowledge when each upload finishes and list any unreadable pages or missing metadata you detect. Then propose a normalized naming scheme: ModuleNumber_SourceShortTitle_Date.
Step 2 — Clean, Segment, and Outline with Citations
Goal: Convert your raw sources into H2/H3 notes with bullets and a glossary, citing the exact passages.
- Select the relevant sources in the left panel before chatting.
- Ask for an outline by chapter/section. Require inline citations per bullet.
- Tag uncertainties as
[verify]. Preserve formulas and terminology.
Prompt: Organize & Clean Notes (with citations)
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From the selected sources only, produce structured notes: • H2 topics → H3 subtopics • Under each H3 add 3–5 bullets, each with an inline citation [SourceTitle §/page/ts]. • End with a 150–250-word executive summary and a 6–12 term glossary (one-line definitions), each item cited. If any item is unclear, mark [verify] and cite the nearest passage.
Step 3 — Write Section Summaries
Goal: Produce concise section briefs for your quick review.
- 100–150 words per section + 3–5 bullets. Include named examples, equations, and definitions. Cite each claim.
Prompt: Section Summaries (scannable + cited)
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For each H2/H3 in the notes above, write a 100–150-word summary plus 3–5 bullets. Include formulas/examples. Every bullet must include a citation [SourceTitle §/page/ts]. Avoid redundancy.
Step 4 — Build a Study Guide in Reports
Goal: Convert your notes into a Study Guide with objectives and a time-boxed plan.
- Open the Reports or Studio tab and choose Study Guide.
- Include sections for Concepts, Procedures, Examples, and Key Pitfalls.
- Add a 2-hour block: four × 25-min focus + 5-min breaks.
Prompt: Study Guide (Reports)
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Create a STUDY GUIDE from our notes: • Sections: Concepts, Procedures, Worked Examples, Pitfalls • 2 objectives per section • 2-hour study plan (4 × 25-min focus + 5-min breaks) • 10 “must-knows” + 5 common mistakes Cite sources throughout and label each item with its source section.
Step 5 — Generate a Quiz
Goal: Test understanding directly against your sources.
- Use NotebookLM’s built-in Quiz generator. Set difficulty and count.
- Require one-sentence rationales and citations per item.
Prompt: Quiz + Key (cited)
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Create a mixed QUIZ from the selected sources: • 5 MCQ (1 correct + 3 plausible distractors) with 1-sentence rationales • 3 short-answer items (target 2–4 sentences + grading hints) • 2 application problems (show steps/units) Tag each item with its H2/H3 and include citations.
Step 6 — Make Flashcards
Goal: Build spaced-repetition cards from cited facts.
- Use Flashcards in NotebookLM. Prefer one fact per card. Use cloze for formulas/steps.
Prompt: Flashcards (Anki/Quizlet-ready)
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Create 25 FLASHCARDS: • 10 term→definition • 8 process (step order; cloze deletions) • 7 formula/example (cloze) Keep answers ≤25 words, avoid duplicates, and include a citation per card. Output as Q: / A: lines.
Step 7 — Audio & Video Overviews + Mind Map
Goal: Reinforce understanding with multimodal summaries.
- Audio Overviews: podcast-style deep dives from your sources.
- Video Overviews: narrated slideshows built from your documents.
- Mind Maps: visualize key relationships for quick recall.
Prompt: Overview outline for exams
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Draft an Audio/Video Overview outline focused on exam-relevant topics: • Sections with 2–3 talking points each • Include quoted definitions/examples with citations • End with 5 “listen-for” checkpoints students should answer after
NotebookLM Best Practices
- Scope your chat: select specific sources to avoid drift.
- Force citations: require a cite per bullet, flashcard, and quiz item.
- Normalize filenames:
Course_Module_Topic_YYYY-MM-DD. - Chunk long texts: split >300 pages into coherent sections.
- Academic integrity: follow course policies; verify all outputs.
NotebookLM Copy-Ready Prompts
Use these NotebookLM AI notes prompts on any set of sources. Start with outline, then summaries, then Study Guide, Quiz, and Flashcards. Bookmark and share with students and colleagues. Explore the AI Note-Taking Hub for more workflows.
Force Citations Everywhere
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In every response, include an inline citation for each factual sentence: [SourceTitle §/page/ts]. If a statement is synthetic or cross-source, list all contributing citations.
Generate an FAQ / Briefing (Reports)
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Create a brief FAQ with 8–12 Q/A pairs from the sources. Answers ≤120 words, each with a citation. Include 3 “gotchas” that commonly confuse learners.
Mind Map (concept graph)
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Create a mind map of the topic with 5–8 primary nodes and 2–3 child nodes each. Attach a citation snippet to each node.
NotebookLM: FAQs
Which sources does NotebookLM support?
PDFs, text/Markdown, Google Docs, Google Slides, web URLs, public YouTube URLs, and audio files.
Does NotebookLM cite its answers?
Yes. Responses include inline citations that link to the exact passage in your sources.
Can I make flashcards and quizzes inside NotebookLM?
Yes. Use the Flashcards and Quiz generators with adjustable count and difficulty.
What about audio or video summaries?
Use Audio Overviews and Video Overviews to get narrated deep dives from your sources.
NotebookLM vs ChatGPT/Gemini?
NotebookLM is optimized for source-grounded, citation-based workflows and study assets. ChatGPT and Gemini are generalists. Use the tool that best matches your input type and goal.
Conclusion
NotebookLM AI notes turn your PDFs, Docs, and links into structured notes with verifiable citations, then into Study Guides, Quizzes, and Flashcards. Pair this with our ChatGPT or Youtube to Notes guide, or start at the AI Note-Taking Hub. Explore the Best AI Note Takers here.
