# NotebookLM prompt: find research gaps in your sources

Source: https://nlmexporter.com/guides/prompts/research-gap-finder-prompt  
Section: Prompts  
Last verified: November 2026  
Plan: Free

Use it when you need to justify a new study or thesis chapter. Paste the prompt below into the NotebookLM (Gemini Notebook) chat and replace the parts in square brackets. It tells NotebookLM to answer only from your sources, cite them and flag what they do not cover.

## Quick facts

| Item | Detail |
| --- | --- |
| Works in | NotebookLM / Gemini Notebook chat, and the customise box of Studio items |
| Sources needed | A set of papers that represents the area you are reviewing. |
| Cost | Free to copy. Saving it in the extension is free for up to 10 plain prompts. |

## The prompt

```text
From these sources only, identify gaps in the following categories:
- Populations or contexts no source studies
- Methods that are absent or rare
- Findings that conflict and are not resolved
- Limitations that several authors name themselves
For each gap, cite the sources that reveal it and say how confident you are that it is a real gap in this collection.
Finish with a reminder that these are gaps in this set of sources, not necessarily in the field.

Use only the sources in this notebook. Cite the source for every claim. If the sources do not cover something, say "not covered in the sources" instead of filling the gap.
```

## How to use it

1. Open the notebook and tick only the sources this question is about.
2. Paste the prompt into the chat and replace every part in [SQUARE BRACKETS].
3. Open two or three citations in the answer to confirm they say what the answer claims.
4. Save the answer as a note, then keep it: [Export the answer to Markdown](https://nlmexporter.com/guides/export/notes-to-markdown).

## Adapt it

- Add "future work the authors propose" as a category.
- Ask for three research questions that would address the strongest gap.

> NotebookLM can misread or over-generalise a source. A prompt reduces that; it does not remove it. Check cited passages before you rely on an answer.

## Frequently asked questions

### What should be in the notebook before I use the find research gaps in your sources prompt?

A set of papers that represents the area you are reviewing.

### Does this prompt work in Gemini Notebook?

Yes. Gemini Notebook is the new name of NotebookLM since July 16, 2026. The chat works the same way: it answers from the sources you select.

### How do I save this prompt in NotebookLM?

NotebookLM has no prompt library of its own. With NotebookLM Ultra Exporter you can save it to My prompts and insert it in the chat box by typing /. Free saves 10 plain prompts; variable templates, folders and backup need Pro.

## Related guides

- [Export NotebookLM notes to Markdown](https://nlmexporter.com/guides/export/notes-to-markdown)
- [NotebookLM prompt: audit a claim against the evidence](https://nlmexporter.com/guides/prompts/claim-and-evidence-audit-prompt)
- [NotebookLM prompt: compare methods across papers](https://nlmexporter.com/guides/prompts/compare-methods-across-papers-prompt)
- [NotebookLM prompt: map consensus and debate](https://nlmexporter.com/guides/prompts/consensus-vs-debate-map-prompt)
- [NotebookLM prompt: check bias and limitations](https://nlmexporter.com/guides/prompts/bias-and-limitations-check-prompt)
- [NotebookLM prompt: explain a paper in plain language](https://nlmexporter.com/guides/prompts/explain-a-paper-in-plain-language-prompt)