Google has unveiled a new feature for its NotebookLM called “Discover Sources.” The features enable web-based search for relevant information directly within the platform. It removes the part where users had to manually upload data and makes it easier to gather sources for research, writing, and other projects. Here’s everything you need to know about it:
How Does Discover Sources Work on NotebookLM?
NotebookLM has always been grounded in your sources. However, sometimes we all need a little more info. Now NBLM can help you discover new sources to expand your research.
— NotebookLM (@NotebookLM) April 2, 2025
Just type in what you want to learn about and we'll scour the web for the best the internet has to offer 🕵️♀️ pic.twitter.com/lKmBmexeEM
Users can access the new feature by clicking on the “Discover” button in NotebookLM and describing their topic of interest. The tool then scans the web, analyzes hundreds of sources, and selects up to 10 of the most relevant ones. Each recommended source includes an annotated summary explaining its relevance.
However, the best part about this feature is that users can add sources to their notebooks and take advantage of NotebookLM’s features, such as briefing documents, FAQs, and audio overviews. The sources will stay within the notebook, allowing users to review originals, ask questions via chat, and use citation and note-taking tools.
Additional Features and Availability
For new users, Google has also added an “I’m Feeling Curious” button, which generates sources on random topics to showcase the feature in action. The Discover Sources feature is part of a broader effort to integrate Google’s Gemini AI for improved research capabilities.
The feature is already rolling out and is expected to reach all NotebookLM users within a week. To try the feature, users can visit notebooklm.google.com, open a notebook, and select “Discover” in the Sources panel.
However, this is not the only new feature NotebookLM has received recently. A few days ago, Google introduced a new feature called Interactive Mindmaps. It allows users to visualize information dynamically instead of relying solely on text or static images. The tech giant has also included NotebookLM Plus in its Google One AI Premium plan, which gives higher usage limits and features for more customized research.
With all these advancements, one thing is clear: Google is putting a lot of emphasis on its AI-powered research and note-taking tool, which was initially experimental. So, it will be interesting to see what new features the tech giant is developing and when they will finally be released.
