Besides Nano Banana, NotebookLM is probably my favorite Google AI tool. Today, the company just rolled out another powerful NotebookLM upgrade, one that allows Deep Research and web browsing.
As part of this upgrade, the AI can sift through hundreds of sources on the web and generate a fully organized report for you. Additionally, today’s rollout also adds long-awaited support for more file types, including PDFs from Google Drive, Google Sheets and full .docx uploads.
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Here’s what happened when I put it to the test.
I was surprised by what Deep Research with web browsing actually does
(Image credit: Google AI Labs)
Deep Research is not new at this point. In fact, by now, every major LLM (another name for chatbot) has that feature. Like the others, NotebookLM takes your question, creates a research plan, browses the web on your behalf and refines what it’s looking for as it goes.
But what’s different with this launch, and something I noticed right away, is that NotebookLM can scan hundreds of websites during a session and then generate a structured, citation-grounded briefing. Before my eyes, I could see what it was doing. I also really liked the opportunity to decide how my research was done. You get two options:
Fast Research: quick, surface-level information
Deep Research: a full briefing that runs in the background while you keep working
The best part: the report is not the end of the process. You can import the entire briefing — including sources — directly into your NotebookLM workspace and continue analyzing, summarizing or transforming the content with any of the app’s tools.
This latest upgrade has now turned NotebookLM into a complete research hub.
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How I tested it
(Image credit: Future)
To see what Deep Research could really do, I gave it a question pulled directly from my current reporting, something that normally leads to a dozen open tabs, multiple PDFs and at least one rabbit hole.
I selected Web as my source type, chose Deep Research, and let it run while I uploaded a few of my own documents and notes.
Within minutes, NotebookLM returned, a clear, organized briefing, key findings grouped by theme, direct citations and relevant links for follow-up. It also kept gathering and processing information even as I added more files to my notebook. I could import PDFs from Drive without downloading them, drop in Google Sheets and even upload .docx drafts — all supported thanks to the new update.
This ability to layer information is where NotebookLM really starts to feel different. Most AI tools give you a one-off answer. NotebookLM lets you build an evolving research base.
Why this update actually matters
When I think of “deep research,” the all-nighters of my college days come to mind (*shudder*). But in terms of how I use NotebookLM Deep Research as a professional, this form of AI is about getting answers I want, faster. In other words, this AI tool is not just for students, professionals can save hours on early-stage research and fact-checking because NotebookLM does the heavy-lifting.
I really like that Deep Research runs in the background, so I’m not stuck waiting for the results. I can keep writing, upload more files or ask questions while it processes.
Even better, NotebookLM now supports real-world file types. It finally integrates with the formats people actually use every day. Everything drops into your notebook seamlessly so you can undestand what you’re reading and researching.
Then, once the report is inside your notebook, you can:
- Turn it into flashcards
- Generate quizzes
- Rewrite complicated sections
- Pull out insights
- Build outlines or scripts
Bottom line
NotebookLM’s new Deep Research feature is the first time I’ve seen a mainstream app handle early-stage research in a way that feels practical, structured and genuinely helpful.
It gave me a clean, source-backed briefing, integrated seamlessly with the files I added, and helped me understand and organize everything without bouncing between tabs. If you’re looking for a deep research AI tool that will actually save you time, this is it.
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