I used to think sorting through my files was just a part of life. But for those who hoard like me, keeping everything is easier than organizing what you need. My Google Drive is a mess – I’ve got notes from college next to projects done in Year 7, and resumes alongside crochet files. Finding documents can be hard.
NotebookLM recently launched a feature that makes searching my Google Drive easy again. It’s like having a library where I can find anything I need instantly. When I started using it, I realized this was exactly what I needed – an intelligent search tool to help me quickly find relevant files and get rid of old clutter.
How does it work?
The feature is called “Find sources from Google Drive” in the Discover Sources section. All you need to do is type in a prompt about the type of file you’re looking for, and NotebookLM will surface the top results with brief descriptions. It’s not meant to help organize your drive, but surprisingly, it does.
Using the feature is easier than searching for documents in Google Drive. You only get accurate results when you remember the file name or something in the document content. This new tool helps me find files I need without getting flooded with irrelevant documents.
What about Gemini? For those who use Gemini in Drive, they have a similar feature. However, NotebookLM’s version is free and works just as well. I’ve tested both features, and there are minimal differences in my experience.
NotebookLM also helps you clean up your drive by surfacing old files you can delete. Every search becomes a mini clean-up session. This tool has been a game-changer for me, and it might be the same for others with messy Google Drives.
Source: https://www.xda-developers.com/using-notebooklm-to-turn-google-drive-into-searchable-library