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In the realm of AI-powered tools, ChatGPT stands out as a versatile and powerful platform that can assist users in various tasks. From generating text to handling voice and image inputs, ChatGPT offers a wide range of capabilities that can be harnessed for different purposes. In this detailed guide, we will explore how to leverage ChatGPT effectively, covering topics such as building custom models, utilizing voice and image features, managing data, and understanding ChatGPT Plus.
Table of Contents
How to use ChatGPT
Here’s a short version on how to use ChatGPT:
- Visit chat.openai.com or download the mobile app, and either log in or sign up (it’s free).
- Enter your prompt in the message box on the ChatGPT home page.
- After ChatGPT generates a response, you have several options:
- Edit your original prompt.
- Enter a new prompt.
- Regenerate the response.
- Copy the response.
- Share the response.
- Dislike the response.
Now, let’s delve into the finer details of using ChatGPT.
1. Set Up Your OpenAI Account
To start using ChatGPT, you’ll need to set up a free OpenAI account. Visit chat.openai.com and click on Sign Up. You can register with an email address, or log in using your Google or Microsoft account. If you choose to sign up with an email, you’ll need to complete a phone verification to confirm your identity.
If you already have an OpenAI account, simply click Log In to begin chatting.
Having trouble signing up or logging in? Try refreshing the page. For specific issues, refer to OpenAI’s troubleshooting tips.
2. Ask ChatGPT a question
Enter your ChatGPT prompt (text query) in the message bar on the home page and press Enter (or click the Send message icon, which resembles an up-facing arrow).
If you have ChatGPT Plus and are using the GPT-4 model, you’ll have access to ChatGPT’s internet browsing feature. This allows you to receive responses based on the most current information, not just data from before September 2021, and includes direct links to sources.
3. Engage with ChatGPT’s Responses
Once ChatGPT provides a response, you have several options:
a. Revise your original query: Editing your original prompt allows you to refine your question to receive a more specific or detailed response. For instance, you could modify the question to ask about the benefits of hiring Ace Web Experts for local SEO strategies.
b. Input a new question: Entering a new prompt lets you explore different topics or aspects related to SEO or Ace Web Experts. For example, you could ask about their experience in e-commerce SEO.
c. Request a different response: Requesting a different response is useful if you’re not satisfied with the initial answer. You can ask ChatGPT to provide an alternative perspective on the benefits of hiring Ace Web Experts.
d. Copy the response: Copying the response allows you to save or use the generated text elsewhere, such as in a report or presentation.
e. Share the conversation: Sharing the conversation enables you to discuss the generated content with others or seek their input on the response.
f. Express dissatisfaction with the answer: Expressing dissatisfaction with the answer prompts ChatGPT to generate a different response based on your feedback, helping to tailor the information to your needs.
How to build your own custom ChatGPT
If you often find yourself repeating specific instructions to ChatGPT, such as “Please use Python in the response” or “Maintain a casual tone,” you can streamline this process by employing custom instructions. These instructions provide ChatGPT with explicit guidelines on how to craft its responses. However, you’re restricted to using only one set of custom instructions.
With a Plus or Enterprise account, though, you have the flexibility to develop multiple custom ChatGPTs (known as GPTs). Each GPT can be programmed with its unique set of directives and has access to internet resources, DALLE·3, and the ability to execute code. Constructing a custom ChatGPT using plain language takes only minutes.
Here are three additional advantages of using GPTs over custom instructions:
- Knowledge Source Uploads: Instead of manually inputting text from various sources each time you want ChatGPT to consider them, you can directly upload knowledge files to your GPT builder. This feature automates the process, although there may be instances where ChatGPT doesn’t fully adhere to these directives from the source files, regardless of their complexity. However, given OpenAI’s ongoing efforts to enhance ChatGPT, this aspect is likely to improve soon.
- Data Analyst Access: ChatGPT’s data analysis feature enables you to perform data-related tasks directly within a conversation. For instance, you can upload an .mp3 file and have ChatGPT transcribe it or provide analysis based on a spreadsheet containing financial data.
- Interaction with Other GPTs: Suppose you’re conversing with a chatbot like Otterly Fascinating and desire a less formal tone for a fact it provides. You can incorporate another specialized GPT, such as the Message Refiner, into the conversation. Simply tag the relevant GPT using @[GPT name] followed by your prompt in the message bar to invoke its assistance in refining the response.
Using ChatGPT’s Voice and Image Features
To utilize ChatGPT’s voice capabilities:
Instead of typing your prompt, you can verbally communicate with ChatGPT. This feature is currently available on iOS and Android platforms only.
- Begin by enabling the voice capability.
- Tap the headphone icon on your device’s home screen.
- When prompted to start speaking, voice your request.
- ChatGPT will process your spoken input without requiring you to hit send and will vocalize its response.
- There’s no option to pause ChatGPT vocally, but you can stop it in three ways: tapping anywhere on the screen, pressing the X button, or using the stop icon.
- To continue the conversation, speak your next prompt when the “Start speaking” prompt reappears on your screen.
- After your conversation, a text-based transcript of the entire interaction will be displayed and automatically saved in your chat history.
- For ChatGPT Plus or Enterprise users, the conversation may also include clickable links to relevant articles. However, the reliability of these links can vary; some may lead to non-existent pages or fail to load within the chat interface.
You can also choose a voice for ChatGPT.
- Tap the menu icon, which looks like two horizontal lines stacked vertically.
- Tap the Settings icon, which looks like an ellipsis (
...). - Tap Voice.
- Select one of the five voice options: Breeze, Ember, Juniper, Sky, and Cove. Note: GPTs use a different voice named Shimmer (there are no other options).
- Tap Confirm.
How to use images with ChatGPT
- Access the image feature by clicking the paperclip icon in the message bar. In the mobile app, you can opt to take a new photo or upload an existing image or file.
- Choose the desired image(s) or file(s) to share. You can select multiple images at once.
- Enter your accompanying prompt in the message bar to initiate the conversation related to the uploaded image.
Additionally, ChatGPT now integrates DALL·E 3, an AI image generator, for Plus and Enterprise users. This integration enables users to request AI-generated images based on their prompts.
To create AI images with ChatGPT:
- Enter your text prompt as usual, describing the image you want.
- ChatGPT will produce several images reflecting your idea.
- If you need to make minor adjustments to specific parts of the image, follow these steps:
- Click the Select icon (resembling a pen) above the image.
- Highlight the area(s) you wish to modify.
- Enter your text prompt in the side panel’s message bar.
- Press Enter to apply the changes.
It’s important to note that unlike standalone DALL·E usage, where users may need to purchase image generation credits, ChatGPT users do not require separate credits for generating images within their conversations. Initially, users seemed to have unlimited access to this feature, but some reported encountering image limits shortly after its release.
Can ChatGPT Decline to Respond to My Prompts?
OpenAI is committed to ensuring the safety and positive impact of AI, implementing measures to prevent ChatGPT from engaging with inappropriate, offensive, or illegal content.
Here’s a summary of ChatGPT’s response to queries about the types of prompts it won’t answer:
- Personal and Sensitive Information: ChatGPT avoids requests for private data that could identify or harm individuals.
- Illegal Activities: It refrains from providing advice or encouragement for illegal actions.
- Hate Speech and Violence: ChatGPT doesn’t engage with content promoting hate, violence, harassment, or extremism.
- Explicit Adult Content: Requests for sexually explicit material are not entertained.
- Self-harm and Harm to Others: Content encouraging self-harm or harm to others is rejected.
- Misinformation: ChatGPT doesn’t propagate false or misleading information intentionally.
- Plagiarism: It avoids assisting in academic dishonesty or presenting others’ work as one’s own.
- Security Bypassing: Instructions for bypassing security measures or unauthorized access are not provided.
- Copyrighted Material: Reproduction of copyrighted material without permission is avoided.
- AI Ethics and Guidelines Violations: Requests violating OpenAI’s use case policy or broader ethical guidelines are declined.
These restrictions ensure that interactions with ChatGPT remain safe, respectful, and compliant with legal standards.
Managing Your Data in ChatGPT
By default, OpenAI can access and use your ChatGPT conversations as training data to enhance its system. Hence, it’s crucial to avoid entering any personal or private information into ChatGPT.
You can review your entire chat history within your account’s side panel on the home page.
There are several methods to manage your data in ChatGPT, with steps varying based on your objectives and device. If you have a specific task in mind, you can skip ahead to the relevant section.
Disabling Chat History in ChatGPT on Desktop
If you prefer ChatGPT not to store your chat history and prevent new conversations from contributing to OpenAI’s GPT models, you can easily turn off this feature. Here’s how:
- Navigate to your profile in the side panel and click on “Settings.”
- In the Settings popup, select “Data controls.”
- Toggle off the switch next to “Chat History & training.”
Once disabled, the side panel will indicate, “Chat History is off for this browser” (note that this setting isn’t synchronized across browsers or devices, even if using the same account).
It’s important to note that when chat history is off, you won’t be able to access your chat history on any device. To regain access, simply toggle “Enable chat history” in the side panel.
What is ChatGPT Plus?
Due to the increasing popularity of ChatGPT, which sometimes leads to high-traffic outages, OpenAI launched a subscription plan called ChatGPT Plus. Subscribers enjoy several benefits:
- Uninterrupted access to ChatGPT, even during peak times
- Ability to choose from different ChatGPT models
- Faster response times
- Priority access to new features and improvements, including internet browsing and voice and image capabilities
Additionally, only ChatGPT Plus subscribers have access to the latest model, GPT-4, with a limit of 40 messages every three hours.