Google's NotebookLM Now Turns Your Notes Into Videos
MOUNTAIN VIEW - Google has rolled out a powerful new feature for its AI-powered research and note-taking assistant, NotebookLM, that can automatically transform dense documents and notes into digestible video presentations. The new capability, called "Video Overviews," was first teased at Google I/O in May and began rolling out to all users in English on Tuesday.
This major upgrade is designed to make complex information more accessible by offering a visual alternative to the previously launched "Audio Overviews." By creating new visuals and intelligently incorporating images, diagrams, and key data from a user's uploaded documents, Video Overviews aims to revolutionize the way students, researchers, and professionals synthesize and understand their work.
Today, we’re introducing Video Overviews in @NotebookLM — a visual alternative to Audio Overviews. Dive deeper with short, engaging slide summaries using images, diagrams, quotes and data from your sources, narrated by your AI host. pic.twitter.com/FW6EdLE5CN
— Google (@Google) July 29, 2025
What is Google NotebookLM? An AI Research Partner
Unlike Google's other AI products that search the open internet, NotebookLM is a personalized AI research assistant that is grounded *only* in the specific documents you provide. It is designed to act as an expert on your own information, whether that's a collection of research papers, legal briefs, work reports, or class notes.
Users can upload various source materials, and NotebookLM then uses Google's powerful Gemini AI model to analyze these documents. Users can then ask questions, brainstorm ideas, and generate new content formats based *only* on the information they've uploaded, making it a secure and highly focused tool for knowledge work.
The Evolution of Overviews: From Audio to Video
The launch of Video Overviews is a logical and significant step in the evolution of NotebookLM's capabilities. It builds directly on the success of a similar feature launched earlier this year: Audio Overviews.
The Audio Overviews feature gave users the ability to generate a spoken-word summary of their source materials, effectively creating a private podcast with AI-generated hosts. With Video Overviews, Google is now catering to visual learners. The new feature doesn't just read text over a slideshow; it uses generative AI to create new visuals while intelligently pulling in existing images, diagrams, and key quotes from the source documents.
How Do Video Overviews Work? A Deep Dive
The power of Video Overviews lies in its combination of AI-driven content generation and deep user customization.
Intelligent Content Creation:
The feature is particularly effective for turning dense, text-heavy information into engaging visual narratives. Google highlights its ability to explain data, demonstrate processes, and make abstract concepts easier to grasp.
Powerful Customization and Personalization:
Users have a high degree of control over the final output. The AI can be prompted to tailor the video for a specific audience or learning goal. A beginner can ask, “I know nothing about this topic; help me understand the diagrams,” while an expert can make a more specific request like, “I’m already an expert on X; focus on Z.”
Studio Panel Upgrades for a Better Workflow
Alongside the launch, Google has also rolled out significant updates to NotebookLM’s "Studio" panel, the interface where users create these generative outputs.
The improvements are designed to enhance workflow and multitasking:
- Storing Multiple Outputs: Users can now create and store multiple studio outputs of the same type in a single notebook.
- One-Click Creation: The top of the Studio panel now features four distinct tiles for quickly creating Audio Overviews, Video Overviews, Mind Maps, and Reports.
- Multitasking Capabilities: Users can now, for example, listen to an Audio Overview while simultaneously exploring a generated Mind Map.
Video Overviews are now rolling out to all users in English, with support for more languages expected to be added soon.