Quick Answer
Google renamed NotebookLM to Gemini Notebook on July 16, 2026, and it is the same standalone research tool with a new name and logo. Your notebooks, links, and sources carry over automatically, so nothing breaks. The main new feature is a secure cloud computer that can run code on your uploaded sources.
Key Takeaways
- Google renamed NotebookLM to Gemini Notebook on July 16, 2026, and it is the same standalone product.
- Existing notebooks, shared links, and sources carry over automatically, and old links redirect.
- Every notebook now gets a secure cloud computer that can write and run code on your sources.
- Code execution is live for Google AI Ultra and rolling out to AI Pro web users over the coming weeks.
- Google is tying the tool into the Gemini app and, soon, Search’s AI Mode, which creates some naming overlap.
What is Gemini Notebook, and what happened to NotebookLM?
Gemini Notebook is the new name for NotebookLM, Google’s source-grounded research tool, and the two are the same product. Google announced the rename on July 16, 2026 through Josh Woodward, VP of Google Labs and the Gemini app, on the official Google blog. If you searched for “what happened to NotebookLM,” the short answer is that it got a new name, not a shutdown.
The tool still does what it always did: you upload sources such as PDFs, docs, and links, and it answers questions, summarizes, and builds Audio Overviews grounded in those materials. Google says it stays a standalone research product rather than folding into the main Gemini chatbot. The rename mostly signals that it now works across more of Google’s ecosystem.
The “LM” in NotebookLM stood for language model, jargon that meant little to most users. Dropping it follows a familiar Google pattern, the same way Bard became Gemini in 2024. Gemini Notebook is actually the product’s third name, after launching as Project Tailwind at Google I/O 2023.
What actually changed in the rename?
The rename changed the name, the logo, and one meaningful feature, while leaving the core tool alone. The product picks up the blue and purple Gemini gradient logo, and the name and branding are rolling out across Google’s interfaces over several weeks. Mobile users may need to update the app to see it.
Here is a clear split of what is different and what is not, so you know exactly what to expect.
| Aspect | Before (NotebookLM) | Now (Gemini Notebook) |
|---|---|---|
| Name and logo | NotebookLM, notebook icon | Gemini Notebook, blue-purple gradient |
| Your notebooks and links | Saved as normal | Carry over automatically; old links redirect |
| Core features | Sources, summaries, Audio Overviews | Unchanged |
| Code execution | Not available | New secure cloud computer per notebook |
| Ecosystem | Mostly its own website | Syncs with the Gemini app; Search coming |
The takeaway is that this is a low-drama update for existing users. Google says nothing you built is going away and shared links keep working. Stop here and keep working as usual if you only use it for research, since the rename changes nothing about your existing notebooks.
What is the new secure cloud computer feature?
The secure cloud computer is a new tool inside each notebook that can write and run code against your uploaded sources. In practice, that means Gemini Notebook can process tables, run calculations, and generate charts or files directly from your materials, rather than only reading and summarizing them. It runs Python behind the scenes in a sandboxed environment.
This is the shift that turns a note-taking and research tool into something closer to a lightweight data-analysis assistant. If you drop in a spreadsheet of survey results, it can crunch the numbers and produce a visualization without you leaving the notebook. For students, analysts, and researchers, that is a genuinely useful step up. It can also help turn your sources into deliverables like summaries and slides, which pairs well with dedicated AI presentation makers when you need a polished deck.
The feature is not free for everyone yet. Google confirmed code execution for Google AI Ultra subscribers and eligible Workspace business users first, with access for Google AI Pro users on the web rolling out over the coming weeks. So availability depends on your plan, and it is worth checking inside the product.
Do you need to do anything or move your notebooks?
You do not need to do anything, and you should not move or recreate your notebooks. Google says existing notebooks, sources, and shared links carry over automatically, and old links redirect to the new experience. Admins have no required action either, per Google’s Workspace rollout notice.
The only thing some people will notice is the app update on mobile and the new logo appearing over the next few weeks. Beyond that, your workflow stays the same. You can read the full rollout details on Google’s official Workspace Updates post.
Back up your most important sources or exports as a general habit, even though Google says nothing is lost in the transition. That advice holds for any cloud tool, not just this one. It costs nothing and protects you if a sync ever hiccups.
How much does Gemini Notebook cost?
Gemini Notebook has a free tier, and the more advanced features come with paid Google AI plans. The core research features, including uploading sources, summaries, and Audio Overviews, remain available at no cost to anyone with a Google account. That free version is what most people use.
The paid capabilities, including the new code execution, sit inside Google’s subscription tiers. In the US, Google AI Pro runs about $19.99 per month and Google AI Ultra about $99.99 per month, and pricing can change, so confirm current rates on Google’s plan page. Code execution reached Ultra first and is expanding to Pro on the web.
For students weighing this against other tools, the free tier alone is strong for research and study. If you want the deeper data-analysis features, the value depends on how much you would use code execution. Our roundup of the best AI tools for students puts it in context, and Gemini vs ChatGPT for students compares the wider assistants.
Is Gemini Notebook worth using for research and study?
Gemini Notebook is worth using if you work with your own documents and want answers grounded in them rather than the open web. Because it only draws from the sources you give it, it tends to stay on-topic and cite back to your materials, which suits research, study, and report work. That grounding is its main advantage over a general chatbot.
The honest caveat is the naming overlap Google has created. There is a standalone Gemini Notebook, a “Notebooks” section inside the Gemini app that has existed since April 2026, and notebook features coming to Search’s AI Mode. Three similar surfaces with similar names can confuse new users about where their notes actually live, and Google has not fully untangled that yet.
Set against tools like the Gemini app or ChatGPT, Gemini Notebook fills a specific niche rather than replacing them. Use the standalone tool for source-grounded projects, and lean on a broader assistant for open-ended tasks. For the bigger picture on Google’s assistant, see our explainer on what Google Gemini AI is, and our guide to using Gemini in Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides. If you are choosing between the big assistants overall, our Claude vs ChatGPT vs Gemini comparison lays out the tradeoffs.
FAQ
Is Gemini Notebook the same as NotebookLM?
Yes, Gemini Notebook is simply the renamed NotebookLM, and it is the same standalone product. Your existing notebooks, sources, and shared links all carry over automatically.
Do I have to migrate my old NotebookLM notebooks?
No, you do not need to migrate anything, since existing notebooks and links transfer automatically and old links redirect. The only visible change for most users is the new name and logo.
What is the secure cloud computer in Gemini Notebook?
The secure cloud computer is a sandboxed feature that lets each notebook write and run code against your uploaded sources for data analysis. It can process tables and generate charts without leaving the notebook.
Is Gemini Notebook free?
Yes, the core research features are free with a Google account, while advanced features like code execution require a paid Google AI plan. In the US, those plans start around $19.99 per month for Google AI Pro.
Why did Google rename NotebookLM?
Google dropped the “LM” jargon and moved the tool under its unified Gemini brand, the same way Bard became Gemini. The rename also reflects tighter integration with the Gemini app and Google Search.