{"id":62233,"date":"2023-01-10T17:04:22","date_gmt":"2023-01-10T11:34:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/?p=62233"},"modified":"2026-10-15T12:12:41","modified_gmt":"2026-10-15T06:42:41","slug":"chatgpt-ai-chatbot-answers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2023\/01\/chatgpt-ai-chatbot-answers\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Get Better Answers from ChatGPT: 9 Tips (I Asked ChatGPT Itself)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>How can you <strong>get better answers from ChatGPT<\/strong>? When ChatGPT arrived in late 2022, I spent weeks chatting with it and was impressed, but many answers were vague or wrong. So I asked ChatGPT itself how to ask better questions, and shared its tips here in January 2023. ChatGPT has grown a lot since then, with web search, file uploads, memory and custom instructions. Here are the tips that still work in 2026, plus the newer features that make the biggest difference.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-62238\" src=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/chatgpt.png\" alt=\"ChatGPT AI chatbot answers\" width=\"960\" height=\"540\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/chatgpt.png 960w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/chatgpt-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/chatgpt-150x84.png 150w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/chatgpt-768x432.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Quick answer:<\/strong> To get better answers from ChatGPT, give clear and specific prompts with context, say who the answer is for and what format you want, share examples or files, ask it to use web search for current facts, and keep refining with follow-up questions. Set Custom Instructions once so every chat knows your preferences, and always check important facts.<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_88 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6ad2abf862bcd\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"ez-toc-cssicon\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #1a202c;color:#1a202c\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #1a202c;color:#1a202c\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6ad2abf862bcd\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2023\/01\/chatgpt-ai-chatbot-answers\/#1_Write_clear_specific_prompts\" >1. Write clear, specific prompts<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2023\/01\/chatgpt-ai-chatbot-answers\/#2_Give_context_and_a_role\" >2. Give context and a role<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2023\/01\/chatgpt-ai-chatbot-answers\/#3_Ask_for_a_format\" >3. Ask for a format<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2023\/01\/chatgpt-ai-chatbot-answers\/#4_Use_the_right_tone_and_language\" >4. Use the right tone and language<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2023\/01\/chatgpt-ai-chatbot-answers\/#5_Share_examples_and_files\" >5. Share examples and files<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2023\/01\/chatgpt-ai-chatbot-answers\/#6_Turn_on_web_search_for_current_facts\" >6. Turn on web search for current facts<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2023\/01\/chatgpt-ai-chatbot-answers\/#7_Iterate_with_follow-ups\" >7. Iterate with follow-ups<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2023\/01\/chatgpt-ai-chatbot-answers\/#8_Set_Custom_Instructions_and_use_Memory\" >8. Set Custom Instructions and use Memory<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2023\/01\/chatgpt-ai-chatbot-answers\/#9_Always_fact-check\" >9. Always fact-check<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2023\/01\/chatgpt-ai-chatbot-answers\/#What_changed_from_our_2023_tips\" >What changed from our 2023 tips<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2023\/01\/chatgpt-ai-chatbot-answers\/#FAQ\" >FAQ<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2023\/01\/chatgpt-ai-chatbot-answers\/#Why_does_ChatGPT_give_wrong_answers\" >Why does ChatGPT give wrong answers?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2023\/01\/chatgpt-ai-chatbot-answers\/#Is_there_a_best_prompt_for_ChatGPT\" >Is there a best prompt for ChatGPT?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2023\/01\/chatgpt-ai-chatbot-answers\/#Can_ChatGPT_remember_my_preferences\" >Can ChatGPT remember my preferences?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_Write_clear_specific_prompts\"><\/span>1. Write clear, specific prompts<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>This was ChatGPT&#8217;s first tip in 2023 and it is still the most important. Instead of &#8220;What is the weather today?&#8221;, ask &#8220;What is the weather in San Francisco this afternoon?&#8221; Instead of &#8220;Write about SEO&#8221;, ask &#8220;Write a 300-word introduction to on-page SEO for small business owners in India, with three practical tips.&#8221; Specific detail works for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2022\/12\/ai-art-generators\/\">AI image generators<\/a> too.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_Give_context_and_a_role\"><\/span>2. Give context and a role<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Tell ChatGPT who you are and who the answer is for: &#8220;I run a tech blog for beginners. Explain DNS to a reader who has never heard of it.&#8221; The same question gets a very different answer for a developer.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_Ask_for_a_format\"><\/span>3. Ask for a format<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Request a table, bullet points, a step-by-step list, an email draft or a short summary. You can also set length limits: &#8220;Answer in under 100 words.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4_Use_the_right_tone_and_language\"><\/span>4. Use the right tone and language<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>ChatGPT mirrors your tone. Ask for &#8220;friendly and simple&#8221; or &#8220;formal and concise&#8221;. It also works well in many <a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2011\/12\/best-online-language-learning-resources\/\">languages<\/a>, so you can ask and answer in Hindi, Spanish or others.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5_Share_examples_and_files\"><\/span>5. Share examples and files<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Paste a sample of the style you want, or upload a document, spreadsheet or image and ask questions about it. Examples beat long descriptions.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"6_Turn_on_web_search_for_current_facts\"><\/span>6. Turn on web search for current facts<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>ChatGPT&#8217;s built-in knowledge has a cut-off date. For news, prices or anything recent, ask it to search the web and check the sources it links.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"7_Iterate_with_follow-ups\"><\/span>7. Iterate with follow-ups<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Patience was another of ChatGPT&#8217;s 2023 tips. If the first answer misses, say what to change: &#8220;shorter&#8221;, &#8220;more examples&#8221;, &#8220;explain step 3&#8221;. Use Edit on your prompt to try a different angle, or regenerate.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"8_Set_Custom_Instructions_and_use_Memory\"><\/span>8. Set Custom Instructions and use Memory<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>In Settings, <strong>Custom Instructions<\/strong> lets you tell ChatGPT once about you and how you like answers. <strong>Memory<\/strong> lets it remember useful details across chats; you can view, delete or turn it off. <strong>Projects<\/strong> keep related chats and files together. To clear old chats and saved memories, see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2026\/10\/how-to-delete-chatgpt-history\/\">how to delete ChatGPT history<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"9_Always_fact-check\"><\/span>9. Always fact-check<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>ChatGPT can still state wrong facts confidently. Verify numbers, quotes, medical, legal and financial information with reliable sources.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_changed_from_our_2023_tips\"><\/span>What changed from our 2023 tips<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>In 2023 ChatGPT also suggested adjusting the &#8220;temperature&#8221; and sampling methods like beam search and top-p. Those are settings for developers using the OpenAI API, not options in the ChatGPT app, so most people can ignore them. Also, I used to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2012\/04\/speak-to-type-blogging\/\">voice type blog posts<\/a>; today ChatGPT&#8217;s voice mode makes talking to AI natural. If you publish AI-assisted writing, read our guides on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2023\/01\/ai-generated-content\/\">AI generated content<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2023\/03\/ai-detector-tools\/\">AI detector tools<\/a>, and compare plans in our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2023\/02\/chatgpt-plus-pro-premium-version\/\">ChatGPT Plus<\/a> guide.<\/p>\n<p>Try these tips on <a href=\"https:\/\/chatgpt.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">ChatGPT<\/a>, and they work just as well with other assistants like <a href=\"https:\/\/gemini.google.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Google Gemini<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/claude.ai\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Claude<\/a>. OpenAI also publishes a <a href=\"https:\/\/platform.openai.com\/docs\/guides\/prompt-engineering\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">prompt engineering guide<\/a> for deeper reading. For more choices, see our list of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2026\/10\/free-chatgpt-alternatives\/\">best free ChatGPT alternatives<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"FAQ\"><\/span>FAQ<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_does_ChatGPT_give_wrong_answers\"><\/span>Why does ChatGPT give wrong answers?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>It predicts likely text rather than looking up facts, unless it uses web search. Vague prompts and recent topics increase errors.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_there_a_best_prompt_for_ChatGPT\"><\/span>Is there a best prompt for ChatGPT?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>No single prompt. Combine role, context, task, format and examples, then refine.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_ChatGPT_remember_my_preferences\"><\/span>Can ChatGPT remember my preferences?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Yes. Use Custom Instructions and Memory in Settings, and turn them off any time.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>How can you get better answers from ChatGPT? When ChatGPT arrived in late 2022, I spent weeks chatting with it&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":62238,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_post_transparent":"default","_kad_post_title":"default","_kad_post_layout":"default","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"default","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"default","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[197],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-62233","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ai"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/62233","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=62233"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/62233\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":66902,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/62233\/revisions\/66902"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/62238"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=62233"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=62233"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=62233"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}