01What Is the NotebookLM Video Update?
The NotebookLM video update adds a new feature that lets you generate short, vertical videos from your notebooks. These are 60-second videos designed for social media, with a voiceover, images, and editing all done by AI. The videos are based on the research and sources you add to each notebook.
This update is rolling out now to Google AI Ultra and Pro subscribers. Free users will get it soon. This is the usual pattern for NotebookLM: premium members try new features first, then everyone else gets access later.
Before this update, you could only make longer videos with NotebookLM. Those took more time to generate and were not in a vertical format. Now you can quickly create portrait-style videos that look good on platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts.
02Key Features of the New Short Video Generator
The new short video feature has several important features. Here is what you can expect:
- 60-second vertical videos for social media.
- Fully AI-generated: script, research, images, voiceover, and editing are all automatic.
- Based on your research: Each video is tied to a specific notebook custom-trained on a topic you choose.
- Fast creation: You get a video in moments, not hours of manual work.
- Free access upcoming: The feature will be available to free users in the future.
Another big benefit is that you can plug NotebookLM into an agent operating system using an MCP (Model Context Protocol). This lets you call NotebookLM from your own AI system. For example, Julian Goldie plugged it into his agent operating system to create videos as part of a larger workflow.
The videos feel like a compact video team: research, script, visuals, and voiceover all in one place. You can also generate slide decks, mind maps, infographics, flashcards, quizzes, data tables, and reports with one click.
03How to Get Started with NotebookLM Short Videos
Getting started with the new NotebookLM short video feature is simple. Here are the steps Julian showed in the episode.
- Open NotebookLM and select or create a notebook on a topic you want to make a video about.
- Add sources to the notebook, such as documents, notes, or web links. The AI uses these to build the video content.
- Look for the video generation option. You may need to be an AI Ultra or Pro subscriber during the rollout.
- Choose the short video format (60-second vertical) instead of the long-form option.
- Let NotebookLM do the work. It will write the script, find or create images, add a voiceover, and edit the video.
- Review the generated video and download it or share it directly to social media.
If you want to use NotebookLM inside an agent OS, you can set up an MCP connection. This lets you trigger video creation from your own automation tools, like Julian did with his agent operating system. That way, you can build a content pipeline where NotebookLM creates videos on demand.
04How to Use NotebookLM Short Videos for Content Creation
Once you have the feature, you can use it in many ways. Julian showed how he plugged NotebookLM into his agent operating system as an MCP. That lets him select a notebook, see the short videos created, and play them directly.
For example, he has notebooks on topics like Meta, his agent OS, and mastering NotebookLM. Each video is based on the research in that specific notebook. This makes the videos educational and accurate to your sources.
You can use these videos for:
- Learning: Break down complex topics step by step. It is a great tool for language learning or studying any subject.
- Social media: Turn every piece of research into a short vertical video for platforms like TikTok or Instagram.
- Content pipelines: Combine with an agent OS to automate video creation. The system can generate videos whenever you need them.
- Research summaries: Turn a long report into a short video overview that is easy to share.
The process is fully hands-off. You drop in sources, and the AI builds the video. You do not need to record yourself, edit footage, or write a script.
It is much faster than the old way of creating shorts, which could take half a day of manual work.
05Results and Comparisons: NotebookLM vs Open Montage vs Video Agent
Julian compared the new NotebookLM short videos with two other tools: Open Montage and a custom video agent. Here is what he found.
NotebookLM short videos are educational and research-based. They look decent, but they are not as cinematic or visually interesting as other options. The style is more like an animated slideshow, which can be a bit boring for social media.
Open Montage produces film-style videos that are much more beautiful and engaging. Julian showed examples that looked 'amazing' and 'absolutely' nicer than NotebookLM outputs. However, these are not as educational because they focus on visuals, not research.
Video agent (from Julian's system) creates educational videos with AI avatars and b-roll. He said this is his top choice for educational videos, even better than NotebookLM. The b-roll, avatar, voiceover, and editing are all done in one prompt.
For pure video generation, Julian ranked the video agent first, then Open Montage, then NotebookLM. But for research and learning, he chose NotebookLM. So the best tool depends on your goal: education vs. cinematic visuals.
06Tips, Limits, and Mistakes to Avoid
There are a few tips and limits to keep in mind when using the NotebookLM video update.
- It is not as good as human video: Julian admits the videos are not as interesting or creative as videos made by humans.
- Educational focus: Use NotebookLM for educational content, not for film-style storytelling. For that, use Open Montage or a video agent.
- Long-form videos feel like slideshows: The older long-form videos are more like presentations, which may not perform well on social media. The new short vertical videos are more animated and interesting.
- Access is limited initially: The feature rolls out to AI Ultra and Pro subscribers first. Free users need to wait.
- Combine with research: The real power is in using NotebookLM for research and then generating videos from that research. That gives you accurate, relevant content.
Do not expect these videos to go viral on their own. They are best for quick, educational content or for feeding into a larger system. If you want cinematic beauty, choose a different tool.
Also, remember that you can plug NotebookLM into an agent OS to automate the process, but you need a non-technical setup if you are not a developer.
07Who Should Use NotebookLM Short Videos and Why
NotebookLM short videos are ideal for learners, educators, and content creators who want to turn research into quick, shareable videos. If you are studying a new language or breaking down a complex topic, NotebookLM can help you understand it step by step.
For social media marketers, these videos are a fast way to produce vertical content without hiring a video team. You can take any piece of research and create a 60-second video in minutes. This is much faster than scripting, recording, and editing by hand.
Businesses can use NotebookLM inside an agent OS to build a 'content factory'. You can automate video creation, plug outputs into memory for more context, and keep your content pipeline going. Even non-technical users can set this up with the right guides and community support.
In the end, NotebookLM is not the best for cinematic video, but it is a powerful research and learning tool. Its short video feature adds a practical way to share that knowledge. Whether you are a student, teacher, or business owner, this update makes it easier to create educational videos for free—once it rolls out to all users.
08What Is Coming Next for NotebookLM Users?
The new video update is just the latest in a series of NotebookLM features. Julian noted that the tool can already generate audio overviews, slide decks, mind maps, infographics, flashcards, quizzes, data tables, and reports—all with one click. The short video feature adds another content type to that list.
Because NotebookLM is rolling out features to premium users first, we can expect free users to get the short video option soon. That will make it accessible to a much wider audience. The trend is clear: NotebookLM is becoming an all-in-one content creation and research tool.
For those who want to stay ahead, the best approach is to learn how to integrate NotebookLM with other AI tools. Plugging it into an agent operating system via MCP is one way to automate your content production. With the right setup, you can turn every piece of research into a short video—and do it all for free once the feature is widely available.
