Troubleshooting Guide: Accessing NotebookLM Plus with Google Workspace

As organizations increasingly adopt AI-powered tools, Google’s NotebookLM Plus has emerged as a valuable resource for businesses. However, many users encounter access issues due to specific licensing and configuration requirements. After an in-depth troubleshooting session with a Google representative, we’ve compiled a comprehensive guide to help you navigate these requirements.

Key Requirements for NotebookLM Plus Access

Licensing Prerequisites

The foundation of NotebookLM Plus access lies in proper licensing. Here’s what you need to know:

A Google Workspace Business Standard license or higher (Business, Education, or Enterprise) is mandatory
Workspace Essentials license is not sufficient for access
Gemini for Business Standard (or higher) license is required
Both the Business and Gemini licenses must be specifically assigned to the user

Domain Configuration Requirements

Your domain setup plays a crucial role in accessing NotebookLM Plus:

Domain name must be added and verified in your Google Workspace
Gmail services must be activated for your domain
NotebookLM service needs to be activated under “other services”
For organizations with multiple units, ensure the service is activated for the specific organizational unit of the user

Important Note for Essentials Users

If you’re currently on an Essentials license and want to access NotebookLM Plus, be aware of this critical upgrade path:

You must first upgrade to Enterprise Essentials
From there, you can then transition to your desired license tier
Direct upgrades from Essentials to Business are not possible

Verification Steps

To ensure you have proper access, verify that:

Your account has the correct license tier (Business Standard or higher)
Gemini for Business Standard is properly licensed and assigned
Your domain is verified and has Gmail activated
NotebookLM service is enabled for your organizational unit

Footnote

Remember to work with your IT administrator to verify these settings, as many require administrative access to implement or modify.