Google’s NotebookLM, the AI-powered note-taking tool, is poised to receive a visual refresh aimed at improving organization and at-a-glance identification of user notebooks. The changes, currently in development, focus on adding customization options beyond the core AI functionality, signaling a broader effort to enhance the user experience and differentiate notebooks within the platform.
The most significant update is the introduction of banner images for notebooks. Currently, when a user opens a notebook in NotebookLM, the title is displayed prominently, followed by the number of sources added. Google is shifting towards a more visually-rich header section. This new header will retain the notebook title and source count, but will also allow users to upload a banner image to personalize the appearance. According to a leak spotted by TestingCatalog, the notebook title will be positioned atop the chosen banner image.
This change addresses a practical need for users managing numerous notebooks. The banner image will provide a quick visual cue, making it easier to locate specific notebooks within a user’s collection, even without relying on the title. The potential for visual differentiation is particularly useful for users who employ similar naming conventions across multiple projects or areas of study.
Alongside the banner image feature, NotebookLM will also display the notebook’s creation date directly below the title and adjacent to the source count. This addition provides immediate context regarding the age of the notebook and its associated content, further aiding in organization and recall.
The customization options extend beyond simple aesthetics. The ability to visually distinguish notebooks is intended to streamline workflow and improve overall usability. The header customization, including the banner image, is expected to be accessible via a “Customize” button within the NotebookLM interface, allowing users to upload images from their device or cloud storage.
NotebookLM has been rapidly evolving since its introduction, receiving a “plethora of new features almost every month,” though not all are directly related to artificial intelligence. This latest update demonstrates Google’s commitment to refining the platform beyond its core AI capabilities, focusing on practical improvements to the user experience. The company is also working on the ability to export Slide Decks as Google Slides, expanding the tool’s utility for presentation and collaboration.
Beyond the visual updates, Google is also enhancing NotebookLM’s functionality with new customization styles for infographics and a “Personal Intelligence” option, further broadening the tool’s capabilities. These additions suggest a strategy of catering to diverse user needs and preferences, moving beyond a one-size-fits-all approach to note-taking.
The timing of these updates aligns with NotebookLM’s increasing integration within the Google Workspace ecosystem. In March 2025, NotebookLM and NotebookLM Plus became available as a core service for business customers, alongside the introduction of Context-Aware Access support. This integration underscores Google’s ambition to position NotebookLM as a central hub for knowledge management and collaboration within its broader suite of productivity tools.
The new features also build upon recent advancements in NotebookLM’s core AI capabilities. Users can now leverage an interactive Mind Map feature to navigate complex topics and explore connections within their notebooks. The platform supports output language selection, allowing users to generate study guides, briefing documents, and chat responses in over 35 languages. These AI-powered features, combined with the upcoming customization options, position NotebookLM as a versatile and powerful tool for students, researchers, and professionals alike.
Google has emphasized data privacy and security in the development of NotebookLM. User uploads, queries, and model responses are not used to train models without explicit permission, and data remains within the organization’s trust boundary. Access controls are also in place, allowing users to manage who can access their notebooks and set granular permissions.
While Google has not yet announced a specific release date for these new features, the ongoing development and integration efforts suggest that a rollout is imminent. Users can currently pair NotebookLM with Gemini to enhance its functionality in the interim, demonstrating the platform’s adaptability and potential for continued innovation.
