Google has introduced a new feature for its NotebookLM platform aimed at facilitating user learning on various topics without the hassle of scouring for quality information. The feature, announced on Monday, is known as featured notebooks, which consist of a curated list of sources selected by domain experts. This initiative by the Mountain View-based tech giant is designed to enhance the educational experience for users of the artificial intelligence (AI) platform. Initially, eight different topics will be available for exploration.
NotebookLM Provides Expert-Curated Notebooks
In June, Google had introduced a feature that allowed users to publicly share their notebooks via URL, akin to the file-sharing function of Google Docs. Building upon that, the company has now added the featured notebooks to NotebookLM. In a blog post, Google indicated that it is collaborating with authors, researchers, publications, and nonprofit organizations from around the world to curate these notebooks.
At launch, the tech company is offering eight featured notebooks that cover a diverse range of subjects, from scientific research to travel advice from professionals. Currently, these notebooks are accessible exclusively through the desktop interface, with no updates on when they will be available on the mobile app. The feature is free for all users, requiring no subscription fee. Here’s a look at the featured notebooks that are currently on offer:
- Longevity advice – Compiled by US-based cardiologist and author Eric Topol, known for his bestselling book “Super Agers.”
- Expert analysis and predictions for 2025 – Derived from The Economist’s annual report, The World Ahead.
- A self-help-style notebook – Curated by US author Arthur C. Brooks, a contributor to the “How to Build A Life” column in The Atlantic.
- A travel guide focusing on science for Yellowstone National Park.
- An overview of long-term trends in human wellbeing – Produced by the University of Oxford’s Our World In Data project.
- A parenting advice notebook – Developed from content in psychology professor Jacqueline Nesi’s Substack newsletter, Techno Sapiens.
- The Complete Works of William Shakespeare.
- The Q1 earnings report of the top 50 public companies globally.
Importantly, each featured notebook supports all the functionalities of NotebookLM, including study guides, FAQ creation, chatbot interactions, mindmap generation, and audio overviews. Users can access the featured notebooks by navigating to the NotebookLM home page and selecting the featured notebooks section.
