Why I switched from Gemini Gems to Gemini Notebook
The writer switched from Gemini Gems to Gemini Notebook after finding Gems too rigid and prone to hallucinating. Gemini Notebook, previously NotebookLM, handled recurring tasks and instructions more reliably. Google has since folded Notebook into the Gemini interface.
Gemini Gems are intended mainly for smaller recurring jobs, while tasks needing creative judgment or several research steps often fall short. The writer pays for Gemini Pro and found Gems too rigid: a social-media script Gem built around storytelling and quick hook rules could not pivot when the focus changed, reverting to its original instructions.
Gemini Notebook, once NotebookLM, now sits inside Gemini's interface. It works from a user's supplied source collection, can be restricted from web access, and can run research when triggered. The writer connects Google Drive, Sheets, and Docs to feed live information for retrieval, something Gems could not do.
This shift could affect knowledge workers, content creators, and researchers who rely on AI for repeatable tasks. If tools like Gemini Notebook reduce unwanted web sourcing and hallucination, users may place more trust in AI-assisted workflows, while Google may face pressure to refine Gems or merge features. It may also encourage clearer boundaries between user-supplied data and external information, shaping expectations for privacy and reliability.