Many users overlook the extensive customization features available in NotebookLM, missing opportunities to transform their research materials into precisely tailored outputs that serve distinct purposes and audiences.
The Video Overview functionality now offers two distinct formats that address different content consumption needs. The Explainer format delivers long-form content ideal for detailed explanations, while the Brief format provides concise summaries perfect for quick reviews. Users can select their preferred format through the Video Overview customization menu, guarantee the output matches their specific requirements. Beyond format selection, three visual styles add another dimension to personalization. The Anime style creates dynamic visuals, the Whiteboard style simulates hand-drawn explanations, and the Retro style evokes vintage print aesthetics, allowing users to align presentations with their audience preferences. Many organizations adopting collaborative tools report measurable productivity gains thanks to centralized workflows and real-time collaboration productivity gains.
Language options further enhance accessibility, with English fully supported and additional languages rolling out soon. This mirrors the customization capabilities already available in Audio Overviews, enabling truly multilingual content creation for global teams and public-facing materials.
The Focus Customization feature represents perhaps the most powerful personalization tool. Users can specify topics for emphasis, indicate learning goals, describe their target audience, or pose specific questions like “explain diagrams for beginners.” For specialized needs, instructions such as “focus on Z for team working on Y” guarantee content addresses expert requirements precisely.
Studio upgrades have transformed NotebookLM into an all-encompassing workspace. Multiple Audio Overviews and Video Overviews can now be stored within a single notebook, with four tiles accommodating Audio, Video, Mind Maps, and Reports. Users can multitask by simultaneously generating an Audio Overview while creating a Mind Map, with all outputs automatically adapting to newly added sources. The redesigned Studio creates a consolidated list below the tiles where all generated content appears, organizing outputs for easy access and reference. Users can customize infographics by adjusting size, style, and prompts to include color preferences, audience specifications, and fact priorities.
Collaboration features mirror the functionality of Google Docs, allowing users to invite others as viewers or editors, limit access to search and chat interfaces, or publish notebooks publicly. This enables teams to share role-tailored Overviews, such as chapter-specific Mind Maps or multilingual Audio sets, all grounded exclusively in uploaded sources. The Studio lists all generated content below the tiles, creating an organized repository that notably enhances productivity for exam preparation or team projects.
