Google is enhancing NotebookLM by introducing Featured Notebooks—a new capability that allows users to explore complex topics through expert-curated content.
Highlights
- Featured Notebooks Launched: Google adds a new layer to NotebookLM with eight expert-curated notebooks designed to simplify exploration of complex topics using preloaded, credible sources.
- Diverse Content Offerings: Initial topics include longevity science (Dr. Eric Topol), global data (Oxford’s Our World in Data), Yellowstone travel guides, Shakespeare’s works, and financial breakdowns of top public companies.
- AI-Powered Learning Tools: Users can access AI-generated study guides, mind maps, FAQs, and audio summaries—all integrated into an interactive chatbot experience.
- Free Access for All: Featured Notebooks are available free of charge on desktop, reinforcing Google’s commitment to open, AI-driven educational access.
- Rapid Growth in Community Sharing: Since enabling public sharing in June 2025, users have created over 140,000 public notebooks in just four weeks, showcasing strong community engagement.
- Editorial Collaboration with Major Outlets: Partnerships with The Economist and The Atlantic help ensure the reliability and depth of the curated content.
- “Expert Knowledge on Tap” Vision: Google Labs’ Steven Johnson describes the feature as a way to put authoritative information at users’ fingertips, aligning with Google’s push to scale trusted AI-driven learning tools.
The update is designed to streamline the learning process by providing preloaded, credible materials across a range of subjects, eliminating the need for users to upload their own files or hunt down trustworthy sources.
Content from Trusted Experts and Institutions
At launch, eight Featured Notebooks are available, offering a broad spectrum of knowledge:
- Longevity advice curated by renowned cardiologist and author Dr. Eric Topol
- Global trend data sourced from Oxford University’s Our World in Data
- A breakdown of Q1 earnings for the world’s 50 largest public companies
- A science-themed travel guide to Yellowstone National Park
- Parenting resources, the complete works of Shakespeare, and more
Integrated AI Tools for Deeper Understanding
Featured Notebooks are fully compatible with NotebookLM’s core features,
- AI-generated study guides
- FAQs and mind maps
- Audio summaries
- Interactive Q&A via the built-in chatbot
Free Access, No Subscription Required
Currently available on desktop via the NotebookLM homepage, Featured Notebooks are free to use. This move aligns with Google’s broader objective of democratizing access to trusted educational resources, especially as AI becomes a more prominent tool in digital learning.
Building on Collaborative Features
The update follows a June 2025 feature that allowed users to publicly share their notebooks via links, much like Google Docs. Since that launch, Google reports over 140,000 public notebooks have been created in just four weeks—averaging nearly 1,500 shared notebooks per day.
This rapid adoption reflects growing user interest in collaborative knowledge sharing and reinforces the platform’s potential as a community-driven resource.
“Expert Knowledge on Tap”
Steven Johnson, Editorial Director at Google Labs, described the new feature as a step toward making “expert knowledge available on tap.”
His comments reflect Google’s ambition to turn NotebookLM into more than just a research assistant—positioning it as a scalable platform for authoritative, AI-enhanced educational content.
The Economist, The Atlantic, and More
The initial slate of Featured Notebooks includes contributions from The Economist and The Atlantic, signaling strong collaboration between Google and respected media outlets.
These partnerships not only add to the credibility of NotebookLM’s content but also hint at a growing trend: mainstream journalism intersecting with AI platforms to deliver dynamic, verifiable information experiences.
