AI WORLD HQHow to set ChatGPT custom instructions so it answers your way
Save time by teaching ChatGPT your personal preferences once for answers tailored exactly to you, every single time.
This guide was written by AI. It passed automated fact and quality checks, and our editor spot-checks published guides every day.
See AI World HQ first on GoogleAdd us as a preferred source and our stories show up higher in Google’s Top Stories.Add on GoogleTired of telling ChatGPT the same things over and over? Imagine never having to repeat your preferences – like your dietary needs, your job role, or your preferred writing style – every time you start a new chat. This guide shows you how to set up 'Custom Instructions' so ChatGPT remembers who you are and how you like things, saving you time and getting more relevant answers instantly.
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- You'll need a free or paid ChatGPT account from OpenAI.
- Access to the ChatGPT website on a computer, or the official ChatGPT app on your mobile phone or tablet.
- An active internet connection.
- This guide will take roughly 5-7 minutes to follow.
- Custom Instructions are available on both free and paid ChatGPT plans.
- While custom instructions help tailor responses, ChatGPT cannot remember previous instructions from old chats, nor can it send emails or manage files for you.
Find the customisation settings
First, we need to locate the feature that stores your personal preferences within ChatGPT. If you're using a computer, look at the bottom-left corner of your screen. You should see your profile picture or your name there. Click on it. If you're using the mobile app, you'll need to swipe from the left edge of your screen to open the sidebar, then look for a cog or gear icon, usually near your profile name. When you click/tap, a menu or a new screen will appear.
you see a menu slide up with options that may include settings, help, and custom instructions (or "Personalize ChatGPT").
look for a gear icon, three horizontal lines (a "hamburger menu"), or tap your profile picture to find the main menu options.
Tell the AI about you (Box 1)
Now that you've opened the settings, look for "Custom instructions" in the menu (it may also be called "Personalize ChatGPT"). A new window or screen will appear, usually split into two large text boxes. The first box, typically at the top, asks something like: "What would you like ChatGPT to know about you to provide better responses?" This is your chance to give the AI context about your life, work, or hobbies that it should remember for all future conversations.
- I mainly design brand logos and websites for local small businesses.
- I cook for a family of four, and we prefer healthy, dairy-free meals.
your text appears clearly visible in this first box.
ensure you've selected the custom instructions setting and not a different settings page; if you only see one box, scroll down or look for a tab labeled "About Me" or similar.
Decide how you want the AI to reply (Box 2)
Next, you'll focus on the second text box, usually located below the first one. This box asks something like: "How would you like ChatGPT to respond?" Here, you can tell the AI about your preferred tone, length, format, and even specific language styles. This helps you get answers that match your needs without having to type a long "prompt" (which is the instruction you give to an AI, like handing a recipe to a chef) every single time.
- Organize information with clear headings and bullet points.
- Use a warm, friendly tone and use US English spelling (like 'color' and 'organize').
- Never make up facts; tell me honestly if you do not know the answer.
your specific instructions about how the AI should respond are visible in this second box.
double-check that you're typing into the box clearly labeled about response style or output format.
Save and test your new setup
Once you've entered your preferences into both boxes, look for a toggle switch or checkbox that controls whether custom instructions are active, usually near the bottom of the window. Make sure this is turned on (it will typically show a bright color like green or blue when active). Then, look for a save or confirm button — it may be labeled "Save," "Update," or something similar, and is often located in the bottom-right corner or elsewhere in the window. After saving, start a brand-new chat session by looking for a "New chat" button or icon (often a plus symbol or a speech bubble).
ChatGPT's response reflects the details you provided in your custom instructions – for example, suggesting dairy-free recipes that feed four people, without you needing to repeat those requirements.
ensure you clicked the save button, and remember these settings only apply to new conversations, so always start a fresh chat to test.
- Overcomplicating your instructions: Trying to fit your entire life story into the boxes can confuse the AI. Keep your points clear, direct, and focused on the tasks you do most often. The fix: Use simple bullet points and focus on the most important, frequent details.
- Over-restricting the AI: If you write, "always keep responses under 50 words," the AI will struggle to write a longer email draft for you later. The fix: Keep your formatting and length preferences flexible, for example, "prefer concise answers, but be detailed when necessary."
- Expecting past chats to update: Custom instructions only apply to new conversations. If you continue in an older chat, it will still use your old settings or the general default. The fix: Always start a completely new chat to ensure your updated custom instructions are active.
Open ChatGPT right now, navigate to your settings, and turn on Custom Instructions. In the second box, under how you'd like ChatGPT to respond, type: "Always summarize complex ideas using a simple analogy." Save it, open a new chat, and ask: "How does the internet work?" See how much easier the explanation is to understand when the AI knows exactly how you like to learn!
❓ Quick questions
How long does this take?
About 6 minutes — the guide has 4 steps, and you can tick each one off as you go.
Which tool do I need?
This guide uses OpenAI ChatGPT — but the approach works very similarly in other AI assistants.
Do I need to prepare anything?
- You'll need a free or paid ChatGPT account from OpenAI.
- Access to the ChatGPT website on a computer, or the official ChatGPT app on your mobile phone or tablet.
- An active internet connection.
- This guide will take roughly 5-7 minutes to follow.
- Custom Instructions are available on both free and paid ChatGPT plans.
- While custom instructions help tailor responses, ChatGPT cannot remember previous instructions from old chats, nor can it send emails or manage files for you.
What mistakes should I avoid?
- Overcomplicating your instructions: Trying to fit your entire life story into the boxes can confuse the AI. Keep your points clear, direct, and focused on the tasks you do most often. The fix: Use simple bullet points and focus on the most important, frequent details.
- Over-restricting the AI: If you write, "always keep responses under 50 words," the AI will struggle to write a longer email draft for you later. The fix: Keep your formatting and length preferences flexible, for example, "prefer concise answers, but be detailed when necessary."
- Expecting past chats to update: Custom instructions only apply to new conversations. If you continue in an older chat, it will still use your old settings or the general default. The fix: Always start a completely new chat to ensure your updated custom instructions are active.
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