If you've used Google's AI-powered research assistant, NotebookLM, before, chances are you've tried its Audio Overviews feature at least once. After all, it's the one that went viral all over social media. While NotebookLM is packed with plenty of practical and useful features, Audio Overviews are definitely one of my favorites. It basically turns your sources into AI-generated mini podcasts that are both fun and surprisingly engaging.

Frankly, I thought NotebookLM's feature set couldn't get better than Audio Overviews. But earlier this year, rumors started emerging that the team was working on a video version of the feature, and Google eventually confirmed it at Google I/O 2025. After weeks and weeks of waiting, the feature is finally here.

Of course, I had to try it out the moment I got access to it. And just like Audio Overviews, Video Overviews didn’t disappoint. In fact, after using it for a few days, I found myself relying on it way more than I expected. So, here are a couple of ways I've been using the feature over the past few days.

3 To turn complex concepts into Khan Academy-style explainers

A Khan Academy-style explainer of anything you're trying to learn

One of the biggest things I relied on NotebookLM's Audio Overviews for was to learn passively. Instead of needing to read through long chunks of text, I'd just upload the source into a NotebookLM notebook, generate an Audio Overview, and listen to it in the background while doing something else. I noticed that Audio Overviews work excellently for content that isn't too visual. For instance, it's the perfect way to consume lengthy research papers, essays, and anything that focuses more on theory than visuals. But when it came to content that had visuals within them (or would benefit from visual cues), like my lecture slides, I found that Audio Overviews wouldn't always cut it.

I'd need to have my content open in front of me to fully grasp what was being discussed, which kind of defeated the whole passive learning experience I was going for. That's exactly the problem Video Overviews has helped solve. It brings the much-needed visual content into the mix, making it a lot easier to understand complex topics without needing to constantly switch between tabs.

For instance, I recently used NotebookLM to learn a programming language I'm not familiar with, Swift. Back when I did, NotebookLM didn't have the Video Overviews feature, so I had to rely on Audio Overviews. Now, when you think about it: would you be able to learn a programming language better through an audio podcast or a video with on-screen code examples and explanations? Exactly. And what's great is all the examples are pulled right from your sources, just like other NotebookLM features. If your sources themselves consist of visuals, NotebookLM can also include them in the video. It can also generate appropriate visuals for the overview, which I find really helpful.

As someone who's always turned to YouTube or Khan Academy to learn new concepts, the biggest issue I've had is they aren't always focused on exactly what I want to learn. With NotebookLM’s Video Overviews, that’s no longer a problem. The videos are completely personalized to your sources, so you're not wasting time scrubbing through a 15-minute tutorial for the one part you actually need.

2 To convert recipes into easier-to-follow videos

A visual recipe guide made just for you

Just a couple days ago, I talked about how I've used NotebookLM to convert anything and everything into Audio Overviews, including recipes I don't want to read. For instance, I wanted to whip up a tiramisu not too long ago and simply added the link to the recipe I wanted to create into a NotebookLM notebook. I didn't feel like reading the entire recipe, so I generated an Audio Overview of it and listened to it on a walk. But since it’s a recipe, I knew deep down that it’d benefit from a video instead. After all, there’s a reason why we’ve always preferred watching YouTube videos of recipes instead of reading lengthy blogs.

But of course, not all the recipes you want to follow are available in video form. That’s another thing I’ve used NotebookLM for! I used the exact same tiramisu recipe, and NotebookLM generated an incredibly detailed 7-minute video of the entire thing. Right at the beginning, there was a cute tiramisu visual NotebookLM generated. The host divided the recipe video into four parts:

• The Tiramisu Challenge (where it explained how tricky most tiramisu recipes can be and how this one differs)
• An Egg-Free Innovation (explaining how this recipe skips raw eggs and what it uses instead)
• The Simple 4-Step Method (a straightforward step-by-step breakdown)
• Tips for Perfect Tiramisu

Before going into the steps, the host walked me through the ingredients needed (which were also listed on the screen). The steps themselves were displayed in a diagram, which I found really helpful. At the end of the video, right after sharing tips to create the perfect tiramisu, the host also included user reviews of the tiramisu.

The video felt structured, easy to follow, and honestly way more enjoyable than skimming through a blog post while juggling ingredients. I loved how the video felt custom-made for exactly what I needed, and the generated visuals made it feel more polished than I expected. Given that all the steps were pulled directly from the recipe itself, I also didn’t have to worry about inconsistencies.

1 To turn step-by-step tech guides into elder-friendly videos

An easy-to-follow tech video for the elders in your life

This might be a very specific use case, but hear me out. How many times have you had to explain the same tech process, like resetting a password or joining a Zoom call, to an elder in your family? I've honestly lost count of how many times I've walked my grandma through the same tech steps over the phone or through WhatsApp audios, only for her to forget them five minutes later.

I tried introducing her to NotebookLM's Audio Overviews, but she wasn’t a fan. When Video Overviews finally rolled out, I realized it might be a better fit. So, I uploaded a simple password reset guide into NotebookLM, generated a Video Overview, and sent it to her. For this specific use case, I included a custom prompt to make sure the video was tailored to her pace and familiarity level. Here's the prompt I sent:

Can you turn this password reset guide into a short, easy-to-understand video overview for my elderly grandmother? She’s not very tech-savvy, so please:

• Use clear, simple language
• Break everything into small, logical steps
• Include on-screen visuals that show exactly what to click or type
• Avoid jargon or technical terms
• Add friendly, encouraging narration to make it feel approachable

And the video it generated was simply... incredible. For instance, the host began with a warm greeting and explained exactly what she would walk us through in the video. When it came to the steps themselves, the host broke them down into parts.

The first step, obviously, was to head to the Settings app. The host even went as far as describing what the Settings app looks like and said reassuring things like, “Take your time, there’s no rush.” As she walked through the process, she added encouragement like, “We’re doing great, we’re almost there.” She even gave tips, which I appreciated.

The video itself was divided into two parts: how to reset your password if you remember it, and how to reset it if you’ve forgotten it. Throughout the video, key terms were highlighted, which my grandmother found really helpful. Honestly, the whole thing felt custom-made for her. And more importantly, it worked.

NotebookLM's Video Overviews is honestly a game-changer

Frankly, I underestimated NotebookLM's Video Overviews feature and only realized just how incredible it is when I tried it out myself. I already know how helpful it'll be once my semester begins, and I can't wait to start using it to break down complex lectures.