Audio Overview comes in more than one format
Audio Overview turns selected sources into audio content. Before pressing Generate, choose the episode format based on how you want to listen.
- Deep Dive: Two people discussing the topic in detail. Useful when you need broader understanding rather than quick points.
- Brief: One person gives a shorter summary. Useful for quick review or getting the general idea.
- Critique: A discussion critiquing the ideas and arguments in the sources.
- Perspectives: Presents the topic from several angles while keeping the discussion tied to the sources.
Options may change or grow with Google updates, but the question stays the same: do you want a summary, discussion, critique, or comparison?
Tailor the episode to your audience
Set the language and length, then select a Source, a group of Sources, or an entire Label. Having 40 sources in the notebook doesn't mean the episode must cover them all. If you're reviewing a lecture, select only its sources.
Most importantly, tell the episode what to focus on and who it's for. You might have extensive material on content creation and want an episode explaining image creation to Arabic teachers. Or you might have an English science book and want the discussion to suit students at language schools, using scientific terms in English. Defining the topic and audience changes the explanation's level, examples, and conversation style.
Copy the prompt as it is, or tailor it with your details first.
Tailor the prompt to your workOptional: add your details and the prompt adjusts itself
View full prompt
You don't have to wait for the episode to finish
Generate Now starts work immediately. If you've reached your usage limit and aren't in a hurry, Generate Later saves the prompt and starts when the limit resets, so you don't have to remember to return and create it again.
Once the episode is ready, listen inside the notebook, change playback speed, download the file, or share the episode itself without sharing the entire notebook.
If you have more than one Audio Overview, use Add to Queue to listen to them one after another while commuting or walking.
View Prompt and Sources lets you check which sources and instructions were used to create the episode.
If the result is close but needs changes, Retry brings back the same settings so you can adjust the audience, length, or focus without starting from scratch.
Join the episode and ask questions
In supported experiences and languages, Interactive Mode lets you speak while listening to a Deep Dive and ask the two speakers questions. Instead of a fixed podcast, you're part of the conversation: pause at a point, ask about it, and hear the answer within the episode.
This feature and its supported languages may change. If you can't find it or it doesn't support Arabic when you try it, that means it isn't available to you, rather than that you followed the steps incorrectly.
Choose the right video format
| Format | What it looks like | What does it suit? |
|---|---|---|
| Short | A short vertical video, with Voice Over, Text, and Visuals | One Topic, Shorts or Reels, and quick information |
| Explainer | Spoken explanations with Slides or visuals that change with the narration | Teaching and organized educational series |
| Cinematic | Scenes, designs, and movement closer to Motion Graphics | Ideas that need stronger visual storytelling |
The same source can produce different formats. A long lecture can become a Short about one point, an Explainer covering a whole idea, or a Cinematic video presenting the same content more like a story.
Direct the video with clear instructions
In an Explainer, write a consistent Intro and Outro if you're making a Series, and define the audience and speaking style. Each video could begin with the same introductory sentence and end with a clear call to action, helping viewers feel the episodes connect instead of each having a different character.
Choose a preset Visual Style or use Custom if you have a clear direction. If you like a video's movement, pacing, or visual elements, upload it to Gemini and ask for a detailed visual analysis of the style. Use that description to guide Video Overview. The reference helps you communicate the look, rather than copy someone's content.
Remember Remove Watermark if the output and your plan support it. For an important video you'll use, open customization and specify:
- Only the sources you need.
- The language, audience, and level.
- The main topic and what to ignore.
- The Format and Visual Style.
- Opening and closing sentences if you have a series.
Podcast or video?
Audio Overview suits listening away from the screen. Use Brief for quick review and Deep Dive for understanding and discussion.
Video Overview is a better fit when visuals help explain the content or when you want to share it visually.
Neither output is always better. Ask: Where will the person use the content? Do they need to listen or watch? Do they want a small Topic or a full explanation? Those answers help you choose the output.
Create two outputs from the same source
- Choose one lecture or chapter and a set of related sources.
- Create an audio Brief for quick review and specify the audience.
- From the same sources, create a Short or Explainer about one point.
- Compare: what worked in audio, and what needed visuals?
- Open View Prompt and Sources and keep the instructions that produced the best result.
In the next lecture, we'll use the same sources for review and testing with Quiz and Flashcards.
