Combining Perplexity and NotebookLM

Jun 18, 2025

Overview

This lecture explains how to combine Perplexity's real-time search with NotebookLM's deep analysis for effective research and learning, highlighting six practical workflows.

Why Combine Perplexity and NotebookLM

  • Perplexity provides up-to-date web search and source collection, but mixes sources and uses pre-trained data.
  • NotebookLM analyzes only imported sources, minimizing hallucination and keeping answers source-restricted.
  • Use Perplexity to gather quality sources, then import selected ones into NotebookLM for organized analysis.

Six Use Cases for the Workflow

Market Trend Analysis

  • Use Perplexity Spaces to gather reports and research papers on a market topic.
  • Import selected links into NotebookLM to extract trends, drivers, and content ideas.
  • Ask focused questions for insight while ensuring all data comes from your chosen sources.

Product Enhancement Research

  • Identify competitors and aggregate user reviews, industry reports, and real feedback with Perplexity.
  • Narrow searches to platforms like Reddit or YouTube for deeper insights.
  • Import multiple competitors’ data to NotebookLM, then analyze for pain points, feature requests, and technology trends.

Audience Research

  • Use Perplexity to find recent surveys, industry reports, and expert interviews about your target audience.
  • Import varied sources into NotebookLM to analyze audience pain points, decision factors, and unmet needs.
  • Ask for website improvement suggestions based on research findings.

Podcast Research

  • Gather lists of top-rated recent podcasts and user reviews using Perplexity.
  • Download sample episodes and import show pages and reviews into NotebookLM.
  • Analyze target audience, unique positioning, best content ideas, and summarize podcast best practices.

Learning a New Subject

  • Use Perplexity to collect guides, podcasts, academic papers, and expert videos on a chosen topic.
  • Import sources into NotebookLM, use built-in prompts for study guides, and request plain-language overviews.
  • Ask for core principles, application examples, and link concepts for personalized learning.

Speaking and Presenting

  • Search for top TED talks or presentation examples with Perplexity and collect transcripts.
  • Import transcripts into NotebookLM to analyze opening techniques, storytelling structure, and best speaking practices.
  • Create customized audio guides applying these techniques and structure for practicing presentations.

Key Terms & Definitions

  • Perplexity — An AI tool for real-time web search and source aggregation.
  • NotebookLM — An AI platform for in-depth analysis, Q&A, and organizing insights from user-imported sources.
  • Perplexity Spaces — Feature to collect, organize, and semi-automate research projects.
  • Hallucination — When AI generates information not grounded in source material.

Action Items / Next Steps

  • Try Perplexity and NotebookLM together for one of the six workflows.
  • Join the community for more ideas and tips.
  • Watch the recommended video on smart prompting techniques.