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How to generate key topics from sources in Google NotebookLM

By: Author Alex Lim

Posted on  - Last updated:

Categories Artificial Intelligence

When adding sources to your NotebookLM, you can prompt the AI to generate key topics. This aids in crafting comprehensive articles based on the added sources. Explore the methods for generating key topics within Google NotebookLM.

Method 1: Generate key topics from a single source

  1. Access Google NotebookLM in a web browser, creating a new or selecting an existing notebook. Access Google NotebookLM in a web browser, creating a new or selecting an existing notebook.
  2. Choose a source from the “Sources” panel to generate summaries. Choose a source from the "Sources" panel to generate summaries.
  3. In the expanded source view, locate and expand the “Source guide” section at the top.
  4. Click the down arrow to reveal a list of automatically generated “Key topics.” Click the down arrow to reveal a list of automatically generated "Key topics."
  5. Select a preferred topic to prompt NotebookLM to generate content. Select a preferred topic to prompt NotebookLM to generate content.
  6. The chat box on the right displays NotebookLM’s response on the chosen topic.
  7. Copy the response manually using the Copy icon or save it directly to the Notes section using the Pin button. Copy the response manually using the Copy icon or save it directly to the Notes section using the Pin button.
  8. The content appears in the Notes section labeled as “Saved note” when using the Pin button. The content appears in the Notes section labeled as "Saved note" when using the Pin button.

Method 2: Generate key topic from multiple sources

  1. Access Google NotebookLM in a web browser, creating a new or selecting an existing notebook. Access Google NotebookLM in a web browser, creating a new or selecting an existing notebook.
  2. Within the notebook, check the boxes next to the preferred sources for content extraction. The selected sources’ count will display near the chat box. Within the notebook, check the boxes next to the preferred sources for content extraction. The selected sources' count will display near the chat box.
  3. In the chat box, type queries like “find key topics from selected sources” or “suggest key topics”, and hit Enter or click the arrow icon to submit. In the chat box, type queries like “find key topics from selected sources” or “suggest key topics”, and hit Enter or click the arrow icon to submit.
  4. NotebookLM will respond in the chat window with suggested topics or an outline derived from the chosen sources. NotebookLM will respond in the chat window with suggested topics or an outline derived from the chosen sources.
  5. Copy one of the suggested topics/titles and paste it back into the chat box, prefixing it with “discuss” or “elaborate on” to generate content. Copy one of the suggested topics/titles and paste it back into the chat box, prefixing it with “discuss” or “elaborate on” to generate content.
  6. NotebookLM generates content for the selected topic, displayed in the chat. Copy this response manually using the Copy icon. NotebookLM generates content for the selected topic, displayed in the chat. Copy this response manually using the Copy icon.
  7. Alternatively, save the response directly to the Notes section by clicking the Pin button, the NotebookLM response at the top of the Notes section, labeled as a “Saved note.” Alternatively, save the response directly to the Notes section by clicking the Pin button, the NotebookLM response at the top of the Notes section, labeled as a "Saved note."

Summary

The Source guide might not display a specific topic you’re seeking because it’s generated based on the prominence of information within sources, as determined by Google’s AI. If a topic doesn’t appear in the “Key Topics” section, you can prompt NotebookLM by typing “Discuss” followed by the topic name. This action will trigger NotebookLM to provide information on the requested topic.

Key Topics are primarily generated from a single source when accessed via the source guide. However, you can generate key topics from multiple sources, up to a maximum of 20 sources in a NotebookLM notebook. This reflects the maximum number of sources permitted within a notebook in Google NotebookLM.