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NotebookLM, powered by Google’s advanced Large Language Models (LLMs), is an AI tool that assists with research, writing, and information organization. It analyzes, synthesizes, and generates content from uploaded documents. Texas A&M campus members can access NotebookLM with data protection when logged in with their NetID and password. This more secure version ensures that university data shared with Google NotebookLM will not be used to train or improve any generative AI models.
What can NotebookLM do?
- Organize separate projects or topics into individual notebooks
- Deeply understand your documents by asking questions and getting cited answers
- Combine and question information across multiple files
- Generate summaries, briefing documents, timelines, FAQs, study guides, reports, quizzes, and flashcards
- Create Audio Overviews (podcast-style conversations with two AI speakers)
- Create Video Overviews, infographics, and slide decks from your sources
- Conduct Deep Research grounded in your uploaded materials
Who can use NotebookLM?
Texas A&M students, faculty, staff, and retirees who have activated their Texas A&M Google Workspace account can use NotebookLM with data protection. To learn more about activating your account, visit Google Apps at Texas A&M.
How do I log in?
Go to https://notebooklm.google.com and log in with your @tamu.edu email address and password.
Important: Personal Google accounts do not have enterprise data protections. Always use your @tamu.edu account when working with University data.
How does NotebookLM protect my data?
When you log in with your @tamu.edu email address, you receive enterprise-grade data protections:
- Your submissions are not used to train AI models
- Your data is never reviewed by humans or used for other customers
- Your interactions stay within our organization
Critical data cannot be used in NotebookLM according to our restrictions of use. If you have questions about using an AI/ML platform with University data, contact security@tamu.edu.
Tier Comparison
NotebookLM is free to use for all TAMU users with an activated Google Workspace account. Two paid upgrade tiers are also available through our Google Workspace for Education agreement, each including higher NotebookLM limits, expanded Gemini model access, and full Gemini integration across Workspace apps. All tiers include enterprise-grade data protection.
Billing note: Paid tiers are priced per user, per month but are billed annually (no monthly option). If purchased after the start of the fiscal year (September 1), the cost is prorated for the remaining months through August 31.
| Feature |
Standard (Free) |
Pro — $20/mo |
Ultra — $220/mo |
| NotebookLM Limits |
| Notebooks |
100 |
500 |
500 |
| Sources per notebook |
50 |
300 |
600 |
| Chat queries / day |
50 |
500 |
5,000 |
| Deep Research |
10 / month |
20 / day |
200 / day |
| Audio Overviews / day |
3 |
20 |
200 |
| Video Overviews / day |
3 |
20 |
200 |
| Reports, Quizzes, Flashcards / day |
10 each |
100 each |
1,000 each |
| Infographics & Slide Decks |
Limited (watermarked) |
Higher limits (watermarked) |
Highest limits (no watermark) |
| Premium Features |
| Custom chat styles (Guide, Analyst, custom) |
— |
✓ |
✓ |
| Output length control |
— |
✓ |
✓ |
| Chat-only notebook sharing |
— |
✓ |
✓ |
| Notebook analytics |
— |
✓ |
✓ |
| Deep Think mode |
— |
— |
✓ |
| Gemini in Workspace |
| Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Chat, Drive, Forms |
— |
✓ |
✓ |
| Meet (AI notes, live translated captions) |
— |
✓ |
✓ |
| Google Vids |
— |
✓ |
✓ |
| Security & Data Protection |
| Enterprise data protection (not used for training) |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
| AI-enhanced Data Loss Prevention |
— |
✓ |
✓ |
| Availability |
| How to get it |
Included with TAMU Google account |
Software Store |
Contact Technology Services |
| Supported sources |
PDFs, Google Docs, Google Slides, websites, YouTube URLs, audio files |
💡 How to check your current tier
Look for a badge (Pro, Plus, Expanded, or Ultra) next to your profile image in NotebookLM. If no badge appears, you are on the standard (free) tier.
What is the difference between NotebookLM and Gemini?
| |
NotebookLM |
Gemini |
| Best for |
In-depth work with your uploaded documents |
Broad tasks, web access, creative ideas, quick answers |
| Knowledge source |
Only your uploaded sources (grounded, with inline citations) |
Web + general knowledge + your prompts |
| Outputs |
Summaries, reports, audio/video overviews, quizzes, flashcards, slide decks |
Text, images, code, Workspace app integration |
Read our Google Gemini FAQ to learn more.
Best Practices
⛔ Do not use personal Google accounts for University data
Personal accounts lack enterprise data protections. Always sign in with your @tamu.edu email at notebooklm.google.com.
- Organize by project or topic. Create separate notebooks for each research project, course, or topic area to keep sources focused and responses relevant.
- Use high-quality sources. NotebookLM works best when you upload well-structured documents. PDFs, Google Docs, Google Slides, websites, YouTube URLs, and audio files are all supported (up to 500,000 words or 200 MB per source).
- Combine and question across files. Upload multiple related documents into the same notebook to find connections and compare information across sources.
- Ask specific questions. NotebookLM grounds its answers in your uploaded sources and provides inline citations. Use specific, focused questions to get the best results.
- Review AI-generated content carefully. While NotebookLM grounds responses in your sources, always verify summaries, reports, quizzes, and other generated artifacts before sharing or submitting them.
- Respect data restrictions. Some types of data are not allowed in NotebookLM, including export-controlled data, IRB-controlled data, government ID numbers, personal health and financial records, and sensitive personal information. Review the data restrictions policy before uploading.
- Follow TAMU AI guidelines. Refer to the AI Guidelines and Ethics page for institutional guidance on responsible AI use.
- When handling confidential or sensitive University data, use only approved University cloud resources and storage.
- If you have questions about using an AI/ML platform with University data, contact security@tamu.edu.
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