Deep Research and Enhanced File Compatibility Transform NotebookLM into an Authentic Research Companion
When conducting extensive research, it’s common to accumulate numerous browser tabs, stacks of scholarly articles, and the anxiety of potentially overlooking critical information. Google’s AI-driven notebook, NotebookLM, seeks to address these issues with a significant update.
In a blog post, Google announced that the platform is introducing a new Deep Research feature and broadening the types of sources that can be integrated. With Deep Research, simply input a topic, select “Web” as your source, and choose either “Fast Research” for a brief overview or “Deep Research” for a more in-depth examination. Alongside features like document uploads and inquiry capabilities, these new options enhance NotebookLM as a research tool.
In Deep Research mode, the service will formulate a research strategy, survey hundreds of websites on your behalf, refine its search throughout the process, and incorporate a source-backed report into your notebook. Additionally, you can continue to add your personal content (documents, links, etc.) while Deep Research operates in the background.
Expanded Source Compatibility
In addition to Deep Research, NotebookLM now accommodates a greater variety of source types. For example, you can upload Google Sheets for statistics inquiries, incorporate Microsoft Word drafts, or use PDFs and other files from Google Drive by sharing their URLs. Images of handwritten notes or brochures are also supported.
This enhancement marks a significant advancement from previous versions that were mainly restricted to text files and PDFs. For users, the new functionality drastically minimizes the time spent sourcing materials and managing formats. Deep Research streamlines the process of gathering and organizing sources. Furthermore, the increased file-type compatibility means there’s no longer a need to convert everything to a PDF or plain text.
Crucially, the upgrade consolidates your uploads, external web research, AI-generated summaries, and analysis in a single location. You can then utilize NotebookLM’s additional tools (audio summaries, mind maps, etc.) to assimilate the information.
Google states that the update will be available to all users within the upcoming week, although some may experience a slight delay depending on their region or Workspace plan. Moreover, while AI can facilitate sourcing, it’s essential to assess the relevance, context, and reliability of the gathered sources.
