NotebookLM New Share Feature Boosts Team AI Collaboration

(Image credit: Google)

Googles experimental AI notebook, NotebookLM, has just launched a significant feature. This upgrade could transform the low key tool into an essential asset for teams, classrooms, and creators.

Starting now, you can publicly share your NotebookLM notebooks using a single link. This means your AI powered research, study guides, or project notes can be explored by anyone, with no Google sign in required.

While ChatGPT is known for single use chats and Claude has limited recall, NotebookLMs persistent, sharable structure gives it a major advantage in AI collaboration. Considering NotebookLM recently won Best Research Tool in Tom's Guides AI Awards, it is clear why this AI notebook from Google is gaining attention.

Understanding NotebookLMs New Sharing Capabilities

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With this update, NotebookLM evolves from a private research assistant into an interactive, AI powered knowledge hub.

Here is what public sharing offers:

• Share notebooks with anyone using a public link
• Allow viewers to ask AI questions about your notes
• Provide access to auto generated FAQs, summaries, and even audio overviews
• Keep your source content protected as viewers cannot make edits

Whether you are publishing a study guide for your class, product documentation for your team, or an overview of a nonprofits mission, you can now let others explore and engage with your content without giving them editing permissions.

Step by Step Guide to Sharing NotebookLM Content

(Image credit: Google)

Open a notebook in NotebookLM. Click the Share button in the top right corner. Set access to Anyone with the link.

Share the URL and that is it.

Now, anyone with the link can chat with your notebook, explore summaries, and listen to audio overviews generated by NotebookLMs built in AI. They cannot edit your sources, but they can interact with the content.

Getting Started with NotebookLM A Beginners Guide

If you have never used NotebookLM before, do not worry; it is surprisingly easy to get started. Think of it as a smart research notebook powered by AI, designed to help you organize, summarize, and query your sources all in one place.

Here is how to use it:

1. Create a new notebook Head to notebooklm.google and sign in with your Google account. Click "+ New Notebook" to get started.

2. Upload your sources You can add text files, Google Docs, PDFs, or your own typed and pasted notes. NotebookLMs AI will automatically analyze your sources and surface insights.

3. Ask questions Once your sources are uploaded, use the built in AI chat to ask questions like:

   • "Summarize the key points."
   • "What’s the timeline of this project?"
   • "What are the pros and cons listed in this document?"

4. Explore auto-generated content NotebookLM automatically creates helpful study artifacts:

   • Audio Overviews – Listen to a summary of your notebook
   • FAQs – Get quick answers based on your content
   • Briefing Docs – A high level summary for quick digestion

5. Share it With the new public sharing feature, you can hit Share in the top right corner, set access to "Anyone with the link," and turn your notebook into an interactive knowledge hub for others.

NotebookLM vs ChatGPT The Collaboration Advantage

While ChatGPT excels in one off conversations, NotebookLM is designed to hold onto structured research and now, to share it.

NotebookLM gives users an edge because instead of starting from scratch every time, viewers access a curated, structured notebook. Viewers can query the notebook, while your data stays untouched.

Additionally, helpful extras like FAQs, summaries, and audio recaps are auto generated, which could be useful for educators, startup teams, research projects, and creators looking to package and publish their knowledge in a smart, accessible way.

Practical Applications of NotebookLM Sharing

• Teachers: Create interactive study guides your students can quiz anytime
• Startups: Build product hubs your teammates can ask questions about
• Researchers: Share findings with collaborators and let them explore your notes
• Content creators: Build living documents your audience can interact with

Final Thoughts on NotebookLMs Collaborative Leap

NotebookLMs public sharing update adds an element to the useful AI tool that other big AI names have not yet given us.

While ChatGPT and Claude remain great for personal brainstorming, NotebookLM has just become the AI powered Google Docs alternative we did not know we needed.

If you are ready to try it for yourself, head to NotebookLM and give it a try. Share your thoughts in the comments; I would love to know what you think of this new upgrade.

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More from Tom's Guide

• I just tested the newest versions of ChatGPT vs Gemini vs DeepSeek vs Claude — and the winner completely surprised me
• This pro tip makes ChatGPT remember you — so you can (finally) stop repeating yourself
• Claude's free voice mode has landed — here's how to access it

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Amanda Caswell is an award winning journalist, bestselling YA author, and one of todays leading voices in AI and technology. A celebrated contributor to various news outlets, her sharp insights and relatable storytelling have earned her a loyal readership. Amandas work has been recognized with prestigious honors, including outstanding contribution to media.

Known for her ability to bring clarity to even the most complex topics, Amanda seamlessly blends innovation and creativity, inspiring readers to embrace the power of AI and emerging technologies. As a certified prompt engineer, she continues to push the boundaries of how humans and AI can work together.

Beyond her journalism career, Amanda is a bestselling author of science fiction books for young readers, where she channels her passion for storytelling into inspiring the next generation. A long distance runner and mom of three, Amandas writing reflects her authenticity, natural curiosity, and heartfelt connection to everyday life making her not just a journalist, but a trusted guide in the ever evolving world of technology.