NotebookLM's best feature got much better when I stopped using the default prompt

Many of Google's AI tools start off as Labs experiments, but the best ones become so popular that they're spun off into standalone apps and features. There's no better example of that than NotebookLM, which initially was a Google Labs test that later earned its own apps and web client. In part, the success of NotebookLM — an AI-powered notebook, learning, and study tool — is due to Audio Overviews. These are AI-generated, podcast-style audio recordings that help you learn in an engaging format. They're so popular that Audio Overviews are also now available in the Gemini app in addition to NotebookLM.

By now, you've probably tried Audio Overviews in NotebookLM, as they're the learning platform's best feature. It's easy to get started with a podcast-like learning session using NotebookLM's default prompts, which are based on your notebook's contents and selected sources. However, if you use Google's standard prompts and stop there, you're missing out on better AI podcasts. Audio Overviews are fully customizable with user-provided prompts, and you can help the AI hosts stay on topic and concentrate on your preferred topics with specific instructions.

NotebookLM's Audio Overview prompts are basic

The defaults can't possibly meet your expectations without clearer instruction

Audio Overviews in NotebookLM are easy to make, and that's what makes them great for learners and curious minds of all skill levels. First, you'll need to create a notebook — this involves curating a collection of web sources and/or providing NotebookLM with your own notes.

Then, you can tap the Studio tab in your NotebookLM notebook to reveal all the AI-generated creations the platform can make. This includes Audio Overviews, but also extends to Video Overviews, Slide Decks, Mind Maps, Reports, Flashcards, Quizzes, Infographics, and Data Tables. For this exercise, tap Audio Overviews to start making your podcast.

After doing so, the platform provides you with a few different Audio Overview formats to choose from:

• Deep Dive: A lively conversation between two hosts, unpacking and connecting topics in your sources
• Brief: A bite-sized overview to help you grasp the core ideas from your sources quickly
• Critique: An expert review of your sources, offering constructive feedback to help you improve your material
• Debate: A thoughtful debate between two hosts, illuminating different perspectives on your sources

Select your preferred format, and then pick a language and length (Short, Default, or Long) to continue. All that's left is to provide NotebookLM with a prompt in the box under "What should the AI hosts focus on in this episode?" It's tempting to simply use the default NotebookLM prompts provided. If you use one of the pre-generated options, you'll be able to press Generate and wait for your Audio Overview to be created.

However, these defaults are basic prompts containing just one or two lines. They almost certainly won't accurately tell the AI hosts exactly what you want to cover in the Audio Overview podcasts. For the best results, you'll need to create a custom prompt — and it's easier than you think.

Tweak your Audio Overviews with custom prompts

If you're not sure where to start, meta prompting with Gemini can help

The best way to perfect your Audio Overview outputs in NotebookLM is to steer clear of the pre-generated options. Of course, you can write your own prompt instead if you know exactly what you're looking to learn about. For example, in one Audio Overview prompt, I asked the AI hosts to explain why you'd want to use a turntable's built-in pre-amp or use the direct phono level output. It's a specific focus that tells NotebookLM exactly what I need guidance on — in this case, audio setup tips. You shouldn't copy my prompt, but rather, provide NotebookLM with a similar one containing instructions for your individual needs or goals.

If you don't want to write your own prompts, that's understandable. It's a hassle that takes up time and does take a bit of skill to perfect. However, there are other options that still produce better results than using NotebookLM's default prompts. You could turn to social media platforms or sites like MakeUseOf to get pre-made prompts that can be quickly copied and pasted into your Audio Overview prompt box. For example, our resident AI productivity expert, Mahnoor Faisal, has a great one for making Audio Overviews easy to understand:

Explain the core concepts in this source as if you are teaching a smart 12-year-old. Use analogies for every complex term. If there is a concept that is abstract, ground it in a real-world physical example. Focus on why this matters, not just what it is.

A prompt like this one requires no manual editing on your part. Since it uses the information used in your NotebookLM sources, there's no need to tweak or rewrite this prompt for each notebook you have. It'll automatically pull from your sources to learn the context required, and crucially, this prompt will tell your AI hosts to simplify things and use real-world examples. It's a great option for those looking to learn more about a complex topic. The good news is that there are plenty of pre-made prompts like these all over the internet — you can find one you like and plug it into the Audio Overview prompt box instead of using a default suggestion.

Another option is to use a technique called meta prompting to create the perfect NotebookLM prompt for your Audio Overviews. Using this method, you'll tell an AI chatbot like Gemini the kind of Audio Overview you're looking for in a short, natural-language prompt. Then, ask it to create a detailed prompt that meets your requirements to use for your Audio Overview. Your Gemini prompt should look something like this:

Create a detailed prompt for a NotebookLM Audio Overview for a podcast about a camera, specifically centered around buying advice. It should focus on specs, real-world reviewer opinions, and up-to-date pricing info.

In response, Gemini will provide a longer, specific prompt that you can use in NotebookLM. Meta prompting offers the benefits of using a long, detailed prompt without the hassle of having to actually make one yourself.

Audio Overviews turn out better with customization

For the best results, write your own prompts and tell NotebookLM what you want

When using AI, prompts are everything. The more detailed your prompt is, the better you can expect the output to be. If you try to cut corners and use a default NotebookLM prompt — as enticing as they may sound — you won't be getting the best possible Audio Overview.

Instead of using a short, one-line NotebookLM prompt suggestion, take the time to find your own. That could entail writing a prompt yourself, finding a pre-made one online, or using an AI chatbot to make one for you. Either way, Audio Overviews will help you learn better when you start with a custom prompt.