TUTORIALS

Turn Any Content into a Mind Map

Most mind maps fail the same way: you start from a blank page, get bored after two branches, and end up with a "map" that is really just a messy list.

With Side Copilot (Side Space's AI Agent), you can start from what you already have: a prompt, a document, an article URL, or a YouTube video. Then generate a mind map you can actually use.

My default recommendation:

  • If you're reading, use Website.
  • If you're learning from video, use YouTube.
  • If you have notes or a doc, use Long Text.
  • If you just want structure fast, use Simple Prompt.

What "turn any content into a mind map" really means

A good mind map is not a summary. It's an outline with relationships.

At minimum, you want:

  • a central topic
  • major branches (themes)
  • sub-branches (details, examples, steps)
  • optional branches (FAQs, pros/cons, action items)

Side Copilot generates that structure so you can understand, present, or act on the content without rereading everything.

Where to generate mind maps with Side Copilot

You have two common options:

  1. On the web (AI Mind Map Generator)
  1. In the Side Space extension (Side Copilot in your browser)
  • Best when your mind map is part of an ongoing research workflow across many tabs

If you're choosing quickly: use the website tool for fast output, and use the extension when you want the map to live alongside your browsing context.

Method 1: Generate a mind map from a simple prompt (fastest)

Use this when you already know the topic and want a clean structure to start from.

  1. Open: https://www.sidespace.app/tools/ai-mind-map-generator
  2. Choose Simple Prompt
  3. Enter a topic like:
    • "Social Media Marketing Strategy"
    • "5-day Thailand itinerary"
    • "How to write SEO optimized blog posts"
  4. Click Start Generate

Prompt upgrades (small changes, big difference)

The easiest way to get a better map is to control the shape.

  • Make it practical: "Include a step-by-step plan and common pitfalls."
  • Make it teachable: "Add examples under each main branch."
  • Make it actionable: "Add a checklist branch at the end."

Example:

Social Media Marketing Strategy. Include: goals, audience, content pillars, posting cadence, measurement, and a 30-day execution plan.

Method 2: Turn long text into a mind map (best for documents)

This is the "clean up my notes" workflow. It works well for meeting notes, PRDs/specs, essays, or any long draft that feels hard to scan.

  1. Open: https://www.sidespace.app/tools/ai-mind-map-generator
  2. Choose Long Text
  3. Paste your text
  4. Click Start Generate

Tip: add one line to tell Side Copilot what to prioritize

If the input is long, prepend a single instruction before the content, for example:

  • "Focus on decisions + next actions."
  • "Extract the core argument and supporting evidence."
  • "Organize by problem -> causes -> solutions."

That one line often beats adding another 1,000 words of context.

Method 3: Convert a website/article into a mind map (best for reading)

This is the one I use most.

If you have an article open and you're thinking "I get it, but I can't explain it yet", a mind map is a great middle step: it turns the page into a reusable structure.

  1. Open: https://www.sidespace.app/tools/ai-mind-map-generator
  2. Choose Website
  3. Paste the URL (for example: https://example.com/article)
  4. Click Start Generate

Two good ways to structure the map

Option A: mirror the author's structure (great for studying how they explain things).

Option B: restructure it (better when the article rambles or mixes ideas).

If you want Option B, add a short line like:

Re-organize into: problem, why it matters, key ideas, examples, counterpoints, and takeaway.

Common pitfall

If your map feels generic, it's usually because the article covers multiple audiences. Add your audience in one sentence:

Turn this into a mind map for beginners. Prioritize concrete examples.

Method 4: Convert a YouTube video into a mind map (best for learning)

Use this when the video is useful but long, or you want an outline you can skim later.

  1. Open: https://www.sidespace.app/tools/ai-mind-map-generator
  2. Choose YouTube
  3. Paste the video URL
  4. Click Start Generate

Tip: keep the structure aligned to the video flow

Even if you do not need timestamps, this instruction helps preserve the progression:

Keep the structure aligned with the video progression (intro -> key points -> demo -> summary).

How to get better mind maps (quick checklist)

When a mind map feels "meh", it's usually missing one of these constraints:

  • Audience: "for beginners / for product managers / for interview prep"
  • Output format: "include checklist / include pros-cons / include glossary"
  • Depth: "use 4 main branches, each with 3-5 sub-branches"
  • Use case: "for a presentation / for implementation / for revision"

A reusable template:

Turn this into a mind map for audience. Prioritize what matters. Include specific branches. Keep it depth.

Common use cases

  • Study notes: map concepts + examples + common mistakes
  • Project planning: map goals -> milestones -> tasks -> risks
  • Content creation: map angle -> outline -> supporting points -> CTA
  • Research: map claims -> evidence -> sources -> open questions

FAQ

Is the AI Mind Map Generator free?

You can try the AI Mind Map Generator for free. Depending on usage, you may run into limits.

What inputs does Side Copilot support for mind maps?

You can generate mind maps from:

  • simple prompts
  • long text
  • websites (URLs)
  • YouTube videos (URLs)

When should I use Side Copilot vs. a normal summarizer?

Use a mind map when you want structure and relationships (not just shorter text). Summaries are linear; mind maps are hierarchical.

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