Google has added a new feature to NotebookLM that allows the AI note-taking tool to find its own web sources to summarize and paraphrase. Instead of manually uploading sources such as documents or YouTube links, users can now click the “Find” button and simply describe a topic they want to better understand, and the tool will then collect web sources related to that topic.
Google says the Find feature began rolling out on Wednesday and will be available to all users “in about a week or so.”
According to Google, NotebookLM will search “hundreds of potential web sources in seconds,” analyzing the most relevant options and then presenting a list of up to ten recommendations, each with a short description explaining its relevance. Users can select which of these sources they want NotebookLM to link to and import them for use in other features, including FAQs, briefings, and podcast-like audio reviews in which AI hosts discuss a particular topic.
Sources will be stored in NotebookLM so that users can read them directly and use them as references for quoting, taking notes, and answering questions. Google says that Discover sources is the first of several Gemini-powered NotebookLM features that are being developed to make it easier for users to find the reference materials they need for their laptops.
Another feature that came out of this is “I’m Feeling Curious,” a button that prompts NotebookLM to generate sources on a completely random topic. It’s a good way to see what the feature is capable of, and also a fun way to learn about new topics, similar to the random articles feature on Wikipedia.
