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Build a cited research brief with Gemini Notebook

Research a question across many sources with Gemini Notebook, fill gaps with Deep Research, then export a cited brief and table in 30 minutes.

By Recaply EditorsBeginner30 min6 stepsUpdated

Loose paper sheets fall into an open folder, with a pencil and a paper clip on the table

What you need

Deep Research inside Gemini Notebook is for users 18 and over.

  1. Step 1: Load the sources you trust

    5 min

    Gemini Notebook answers from what you add, so start with pages you'd quote yourself.

    1. Go to notebook.google.com and select Create new notebook.
    2. Select Upload a source and add your files. To add several web links at once, put a space or a new line between them.
    3. Add your own notes too: select Add sources, then Copied text, and paste them.

    You should see every source in the Sources panel. With 5 or more, they're grouped under labels by topic.

    A web page came in with little or no text?

    Only a page's text is imported, and paywalled pages aren't supported. Copy the text from the page and add it as copied text instead.

  2. Step 2: Fill the gaps with Deep Research

    6 min

    Deep Research browses the web for you and brings back a report plus the sources behind it.

    1. In the Sources panel, type a research question in the search box.
    2. Turn on Web and Deep Research, then start the search. It takes a few minutes, and you can keep working.
    3. Select View to review the results, uncheck weak sources, and import the rest.

    You should see the Deep Research report and new web sources added to your notebook.

    Only some results were imported?

    You hit a source or usage limit. Remove sources you don't need, and check what's left in Settings > Usage.

    Results you don't import are thrown away when you close Deep Research.

  3. Step 3: Ask one question in parts

    6 min

    Splitting a big question into parts gives you an answer you can check one piece at a time.

    1. In the Chat panel, paste the prompt below and fill in the brackets.
    2. Read the plan at the top first. If a part is missing, ask for it before you go on.
    Your prompt
    I'm researching how [COMPETITOR A], [COMPETITOR B] and [MY COMPANY] price and position [PRODUCT TYPE].

First, list the 3 to 5 sub-questions you need to answer. Then answer each one under its own heading, using only my sources. Cite every claim. End with a short list of what my sources don't answer.

    You should see a list of sub-questions, then one cited section for each, then a list of gaps.

    The answer mixes up the companies?

    Uncheck every source except one company's, ask about that company alone, and repeat for the others.

    Google's June 2026 chat upgrade shows thinking steps and can run code. It came to AI Ultra first, and Google said AI Pro would follow.

  4. Step 4: Check every claim

    5 min

    A citation shows where a claim came from. Reading it shows whether the claim is right.

    1. Hover over each citation to read the quoted text.
    2. Select a citation to jump to that passage in the source.
    3. Drop any claim the source doesn't back up, then select Save to note on the checked answer.

    You should see a saved note with the answer and its clickable citations.

    A claim has no citation?

    Ask, "Which of my sources says this?" If none does, leave the claim out of your brief.

  5. Step 5: Build a comparison table

    4 min

    A table lines up the same facts for every company, so gaps stand out.

    1. In the Studio panel, select the pencil icon next to Data Table.
    2. Describe the rows and columns you want, like the text below, then generate it.
    3. Open the three dots menu next to the table and select Export to Sheets.
    Your table
    One row per company: [COMPETITOR A], [COMPETITOR B], [MY COMPANY]. Columns: price, main audience, key features, biggest weakness.

    You should see a new Google Sheet with the table in the first tab and its citations in the second.

    Edits in the Sheet don't show in the notebook?

    Exports don't sync back. Treat the Sheet as your working copy, or generate a fresh table after you add sources.

  6. Step 6: Write the brief and export it

    4 min

    A report pulls your checked findings into one document your team can read in 5 minutes.

    1. In the Studio panel, select Reports, then Document.
    2. Select the Edit icon next to the briefing document template, and paste the prompt below.
    3. Select Generate now. When it's ready, open the three dots menu next to it and select Export to Docs.
    Your report prompt
    Write a 1-page competitive brief for my team. Sections: summary, how each company prices, how each positions itself, where we win, where we lose, open questions. Use only my sources.

    You should see your brief in a new Google Doc, open in a new tab.

    Teammates can't open the Doc?

    Sharing settings don't carry over from Gemini Notebook to exported files. Share the Doc from Google Docs.

You get

A cited competitive brief in Google Docs and a comparison table in Google Sheets, built only from sources you picked

Try next

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Sources

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