Google’s NotebookLM is rapidly evolving based on user feedback, introducing significant customization features to its viral Audio Overview tool. The AI-powered product, which generates podcast-like discussions using Google’s Gemini 1.5 large language model, has added the ability for users to provide specific instructions before generating their “Deep Dive” audio content.
Raiza Martin, Google’s product lead for NotebookLM, revealed that the number one request from users was the ability to guide the AI hosts toward particular topics or sections within uploaded material. The new “Customize” button addresses this demand directly, allowing users to fine-tune how their AI-generated podcasts cover content. Users can now adjust the expertise level of the discussion and direct the conversation to focus on specific aspects of their uploaded documents, web links, or other materials.
The tool’s Audio Overview feature went viral shortly after launch, captivating users with its remarkably human-sounding conversations between two AI hosts. These roughly 10-minute discussions synthesize uploaded material into engaging podcast-style content. For instance, users uploading links about the 2024 Presidential election could now specifically prompt the AI to focus exclusively on former President Donald Trump’s campaign rather than receiving a broad overview of all uploaded content.
Additional updates include enhanced multitasking capabilities, allowing users to listen to Audio Overviews while continuing to work within NotebookLM. This improvement addresses workflow efficiency concerns and makes the tool more practical for professional use.
Google has also announced plans for a paid business version with enhanced features, with a pilot program now accepting applications for early access. The company promises to share more details about availability and pricing later this year. This move signals Google’s confidence in the product’s commercial viability and its potential to serve enterprise customers.
Perhaps most significantly, NotebookLM has officially shed its “Experimental” label, marking its transition from a test product to a fully-fledged offering. This change comes as millions of users have adopted the platform, demonstrating substantial market validation. Martin emphasized her commitment to “enabling personalized generation,” describing the customization feature as similar to curating follow-up podcast episodes based on specific questions users want answered.
Key Quotes
the No. 1 piece of feedback the team got was that people wanted to provide a little more instruction for the AI hosts to focus on a particular topic or section from the uploaded content
Raiza Martin, Google’s product lead for NotebookLM, explained to Business Insider the primary user request that drove the latest update. This reveals that users want more control over AI-generated content rather than accepting generic outputs.
Those are the types of things that people really, really wanted. So we wanted to unlock that quickly.
Martin emphasized the team’s responsiveness to user feedback and their commitment to rapid iteration. This statement highlights Google’s agile approach to AI product development in a competitive market.
I care a lot about enabling personalized generation, which is the idea that you can steer models to fit a specific context
Martin articulated her product philosophy, emphasizing personalization as a core principle. This vision positions NotebookLM as more than just a content generator—it’s a customizable AI assistant that adapts to individual user needs.
Our Take
Google’s rapid iteration on NotebookLM demonstrates a crucial lesson in AI product development: viral success means little without sustained user engagement through meaningful customization. The swift addition of user-requested features—within weeks of going viral—shows Google learning from competitors who’ve struggled to maintain momentum after initial buzz.
The transition to a paid business model is particularly telling. It suggests Google sees NotebookLM not as a consumer novelty but as a serious enterprise productivity tool. This positions it to compete with Microsoft’s Copilot and other AI workplace assistants.
Most importantly, the customization features address a fundamental challenge in generative AI: balancing automation with user control. By allowing users to guide AI outputs while maintaining the convenience of automated generation, NotebookLM may have found the sweet spot that makes AI tools genuinely useful rather than merely impressive. This could become the template for successful AI products moving forward.
Why This Matters
This development represents a significant milestone in AI-generated content personalization and demonstrates how quickly AI products can iterate based on user feedback. The rapid evolution from viral sensation to customizable tool—within just weeks—showcases the accelerating pace of AI product development and Google’s commitment to competing in the generative AI space.
The removal of the “Experimental” label and introduction of a paid business tier signal that AI-generated audio content is moving from novelty to practical business tool. This could disrupt traditional content creation workflows, particularly in education, research, and corporate training sectors where synthesizing large amounts of information is crucial.
Moreover, NotebookLM’s success highlights a broader trend: AI tools that provide personalized, context-aware outputs are gaining significant traction. The ability to customize AI-generated content addresses a critical limitation of early generative AI tools—their one-size-fits-all approach. As businesses and individuals seek more control over AI outputs, products offering granular customization will likely dominate the market, setting new standards for what users expect from AI assistants and content generation tools.
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Source: https://www.businessinsider.com/google-notebooklm-ai-podcast-tool-customize-feature-update-2024-10