I don’t like AI because of how often it lies to me, but NotebookLM has yet to mislead me. This is because it’s not an AI in the conventional sense. Unlike those traditional chatbots, NotebookLM’s "brain" is restricted and only works using the documents, files, and links that you personally give it.
So I've not seen it make things up; it will only use the information you give it to answer your questions and help you learn and live much better. I pay for it because it’s more than just a simple AI; it’s become my assistant in many ways, and I will continue to pay for years to come.
NotebookLM isn't just another chatbot
NotebookLM stands out from all the other general AI tools out there because of source grounding. When you limit the AI's knowledge only to your input, it becomes an instant expert on your specific content. This lets you tailor the AI perfectly to what you need, whether you are planning to use it as a life coach, someone to debate with, or even a project manager.
You just upload your source materials right into a centralized notebook that you dedicate to a specific topic or project. This process supports lots of different formats, which makes it incredibly versatile. You can throw in documents orhave it find sources like PDFs, text files, Google Docs, and Slides, or you can drop in website URLs or YouTube video links. When you use video links, it analyzes the content using the transcript.
You can also copy-paste raw text or even upload audio files like MP3 or WAV, which it will then transcribe, so you can interact with them. It treats that entire collection like one cohesive text. You can then adjust the sources, add more materials, or create brand-new source notes directly from the answers the AI generates.
I absolutely love NoteBookLLM, and I actuallypay for the premium version just to use these features. If you’ve ever had issues with chatbots because they often make things up or go outside your needs, then you should give this a try, because you can use them for free.
I have become a niche expert in so many things
If you're like me, and you really prioritize learning new things constantly, the hardest part isn't actually wanting to learn; it's the strict limits on your time. I love diving into books, especially nonfiction, but those deep research hours are always fighting with everything else I have to do in a day. My Keep Notes used to be a place of shame because I kept links, great ideas, and articles that I could never follow up on.
I came to realize that I could just put everything I wanted to learn or look at in NotebookLM. This helped me become an expert on a ton of specialized subjects. I've set up my own notebooks covering all sorts of areas. I use it for pop culture stuff I love, like Star Wars, Batman, and comics. I also use it for more difficult topics where I already know a bit, things like programming, Linux, and video games.
I actually credit NotebookLM for helping me get into the right headspace for making apps that companies lease today. It takes everything you’re trying to do and organizes it into steps and goals that are easy to follow. In fact, I started programming a little game in Godot because I was able to just throw the documentation in and ask questions. If you’re like me and hate going through tutorials just to learn new programs, this is a Godsend.
The tool is multi-modal, meaning you can upload text, audio, and videos for it to analyze, which is generally a nice feature. However, I definitely prefer the Audio Overviews, which keepgetting improved on in updates. They turn my source material into engaging, podcast-style chats. While the video overviews are pretty cool, I don’t generally have time to watch videos and would rather someone just tell me everything I need to know.
You can interact with it too, but it feels like you’re interrupting a conversation, so it’s not as good as it could be. However, it’s definitely something you need if you’re studying or need to learn something quickly and only have a few questions.
My personal project helper is worth every penny
Google asks for $19.99 a month, and you get other AI tools with it, like Gemini. I only pay this because I thought NotebookLM was worth the price on its own, but I have played with the video maker on Gemini, and it’s a bit of fun. Still, since this helped me develop tools and get back on the right track, I have no qualms with paying, especiallywith the NotbookLM app.
By paying, you can add more sources to NotebookLM and generate more summaries and other study guides, plus you can also ask more questions. I upgraded because while I was using the free mode, it told me that I had run out of questions to ask. I’ve never looked back.
This ha saved me money because I can upload legal documents. I uploaded my lease and got NotebookLM to check it over. Unlike other chatbots, it gives you citations from your documents that show you the precise wording that's being used to answer your questions. So, instead of an internet law, you can have the actual document you’re looking at.
The money I’ve saved by having an expert on hand has been worth it, and it’s paid me back through the work I've done. I cannot recommend it enough, especially with the fair asking price. If you pay for Gemini and haven’t used it, you’re missing out on a huge part of Google's AI subscription.
I don’t like to think of NotebookLM as an AI, because I've come to associate the terminology with less trustworthy chatbots. NotebookLM is like a true assistant in learning anything at all. Whether you need to master technical documents that are super complex, or you're doing major creative world-building, or maybe you just want to make learning less stressful and more efficient, the app constantly gives you insights.
There’s no hallucination, and its expertise comes completely from your own documentation. NotebookLM goes way beyond being a nice-to-have service; for me, it is absolutely necessary to continue my journey of self-improvement and an intellectual investment.
