Google is making a big change to how Gemini Notebook works, introducing compute-based usage limits. This is similar to how Gemini already works, with usage limits based on the prompt’s length, context window, and complexity.
Until May this year, Google calculated Gemini’s daily usage limit based on the number of prompts. This was different from how ChatGPT and Claude calculated their usage limits, which were based on token consumption.
But right after I/O 2026 in May, Google switched to a similar compute-used model for Gemini. More importantly, it switched to a five-hour usage limit window instead of a 24-hour one.
The changes did not apply to Gemini Notebook (then known as NotebookLM). It has continued offering prompt-based limits. These range from three audio/video overviews and 10 reports or quizzes per day on the free tier to as many as 5,000 daily chat queries and 200 audio/video overviews on the Ultra plan.
However, this will change starting September 2, 2026, with Google rolling out similar compute-based usage limits.
Google’s support page says the following about the change:
“Starting on September 2, 2026, Gemini Notebook will have compute-based usage limits that determine how much you can interact with features. The limits factor the complexity of your prompt, the models and features you use, the length of your chat and specific features. If you’ve hit your usage limits, you can come back later as the quota refreshes every 5 hours until you reach your weekly limit, or upgrade Gemini Notebook to get higher AI limits.”
Get higher Gemini Notebook limits with a Google AI plan
On the free plan, “standard limits” will apply. On the AI Plus plan, you get “two times higher” usage than standard limits, while the Pro plan bumps it to four times. With AI Ultra, that usage limit goes up to 5x or 20x higher depending on whether you are on the $100 or $200 plan.
Google’s announcement says that your notebook will “suggest alternative outputs if your first choice surpasses your limit.” And when you hit your usage limit, you can schedule Video Overviews or Slide Deck to be generated later. Gemini Notebook will automatically send a notification once they are generated.
