Everyone Is Using Google NotebookLM To Turn Text into Podcasts Now

Google’s NotebookLM has just made the impossible possible—turn your notes, research, or even YouTube links into a full-on AI-generated podcast.

Imagine two AI hosts breaking down your content, discussing key points, and summarizing it for you while you listen on the go. It’s called Audio Overview, and it’s changing how we consume information.

Here’s everything you need to know (and why you’ll want to try it ASAP).

How the AI Podcast Generator Works

Forget reading through endless documents. With NotebookLM, all you need to do is upload your files—whether it’s PDFs, Google Docs, or even a YouTube link—and the AI will do the rest. It creates a podcast-like conversation between two AI hosts, who discuss the content as if they’re presenting a real talk show.

These AI-generated conversations aren’t just robotic recitations; they feel surprisingly human. The hosts pause, ask questions, and bring out key takeaways, making it super easy to digest the information without ever looking at the screen.

Want to hear your research or project turned into a conversation? NotebookLM makes that happen in minutes.

New Update With Customizable AI Hosts

Here’s where it gets even better. With the latest update, you can now direct the conversation like a real podcast producer. Before, the AI would just summarize the content. Now, with the “Customize” button, you can tell the AI hosts exactly what to focus on, what to skip, and how in-depth to go on specific topics.

Want them to dive deep into one section but skip over the boring details? Done. You can even adjust how technical or casual the conversation should be based on who’s listening.

It’s like slipping your hosts a script, guiding the conversation so you get exactly what you need. Whether it’s business reports, academic research, or creative projects, this customization gives you control over how the podcast unfolds.

Listen While You Work

Don’t have time to sit and listen to the whole podcast? No problem. NotebookLM lets you minimize the conversation and continue working on other tasks. The podcast keeps playing in the background, allowing you to multitask without losing focus.

This is perfect for anyone balancing work with content review. You can have a podcast running while you continue checking notes, exploring quotes, or adding more documents to your notebook.

It’s Perfect for Students, Professionals, and More

Over 80,000 organizations are already using NotebookLM, and it’s easy to see why. It’s not just for casual listeners; students can create podcasts out of study guides, professionals can review reports, and researchers can summarize lengthy papers.

And if that’s not enough, NotebookLM Business is coming soon, offering enhanced features for teams and organizations. You can even sign up for the pilot program to get early access.

Think you don’t need an AI podcast generator? Once you try it, you’ll wonder how you lived without it.

How to Turn Your Documents into Podcasts

Here’s how to get started:

1. Go to NotebookLM and create a new notebook.
2. Upload your files—anything from PDFs and Google Docs to YouTube links and websites.
3. Click “Generate” to let the AI create a podcast based on your content.
4. Want more control? Customize the conversation to get the podcast just right.

In minutes, you’ll have a fully generated podcast tailored to your content, ready for you to listen to anytime, anywhere.

What’s the Catch?

While this tool is impressive, it’s not perfect. Currently, the AI podcasts are only available in English, and you can’t choose the gender or style of the hosts. The podcasts generally run between 5 to 15 minutes, and there’s no way to set a specific length.

Plus, the AI hosts can sometimes get a little too enthusiastic over trivial details, but that’s something that could improve over time.

Still, for the convenience and novelty, it’s worth giving NotebookLM a spin.

The Future of AI Podcasts Is Here

NotebookLM’s AI podcast generator is taking content consumption to a whole new level. Whether you’re using it to review work reports, study notes, or research, this tool saves you time by turning dense documents into easy-to-listen podcasts. And with millions of users already onboard, it’s clear this is only the beginning.

Want to see how your notes sound as a podcast? Try NotebookLM today—you won’t believe how much easier it makes digesting information.