How to use ChatGPT: Everything you need to know

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If you want to use the most popular AI chatbot available, we'll walk you through how to
get started with ChatGPT, get the most out of it, and learn what the latest updates entail.

Written by Maria Diaz, Staff Writer on

July 25, 2023
Reviewed by
Min Shin
and 
Alyson Windsor

Table of Contents

How to use ChatGPT1. Go to chat.openai.com and log in or register2. Accept the

disclaimers from ChatGPT3. Learn how to use ChatGPT4. Start writing your prompts and
questionsWhat is the best way to use ChatGPT?FAQsWhat is ChatGPT?What are
custom instructions?How does ChatGPT work?How do I use ChatGPT for the first time?
How can I access ChatGPT?How can I use ChatGPT without a login?Does ChatGPT
have an app?Can I use ChatGPT on my phone?Is ChatGPT free?What can I use
ChatGPT for? How can I share ChatGPT conversations?Is ChatGPT the best AI?Can
ChatGPT refuse to answer my prompts?Does ChatGPT give everyone the same answer?
Does ChatGPT give wrong answers?Will my conversations with ChatGPT be used for
training?How do I turn off chat history?How do I delete my ChatGPT account?Why can't I
log in to ChatGPT?

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 Maria Diaz/ZDNET

OpenAI's ChatGPT unleashed an artificial intelligence (AI) movement when it rolled out

last fall. Since then, the AI chatbot has dominated headlines and preoccupied the minds
of those running Twitter, Google, Amazon, Microsoft, and Meta, inspiring them to create
their own generative AI projects.

Also: How I used ChatGPT to write a custom JavaScript bookmarklet

ChatGPT is certainly not overrated; users can come up with creative ideas for prompts,
such as asking questions in search of funny answers, creating content, improving their
writing or Excel skills, finding and correcting a bug in code, or summarizing a book. 

Across all these areas, one thing is abundantly clear: what makes this AI tool remarkable
isn't how innovative it is but how great it is at generating text and how accessible and
easy it is to use. ChatGPT can hold conversational text interactions with users, which
feel as natural as conversing with a well-informed person (who sometimes hallucinates). 

Also: Software developers' dance with generative AI is still at that awkward stage

Though ChatGPT only launched in November, it gained 100 million users by January,
quickly becoming the fastest-growing 'app' of all time, surpassing TikTok -- until Threads
dethroned it in July. ChatGPT is so popular and high-performing that some wonder if
the AI chatbot could replace programmers, writers, and even doctors and how it
could revolutionize different industries.

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How to use ChatGPT

Watch Video At: https://youtu.be/JipdMYDnwzY

1. Go to chat.openai.com and log in or register

Start by going to chat.openai.com and then use an email address or a Google or

Microsoft account to sign up. You need to create an account on the OpenAI website to log
in and access ChatGPT, but it is free. 

If you've never created an account, click 'Sign up' and follow the prompts to enter your
information. OpenAI does require a valid phone number for verification to create an
account on its website.

If you haven't created an account, click on 'Sign up'. Otherwise, log in with your OpenAI
credentials.
Screenshot by Maria Diaz/ZDNET

2. Accept the disclaimers from ChatGPT

Next, you'll see a few disclaimers before you can chat with the AI chatbot. Read and
accept them one by one to enter the chat.

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 The terms will come up in three stages, click Next on the first two and Done on the last one.
Screenshot by Maria Diaz/ZDNET

3. Learn how to use ChatGPT

Once you've logged in to your OpenAI account on the ChatGPT side of the website, it's
time to get to know the AI tool's window. Here's a breakdown of what you will see, with
the image below as an example:

1. New chat & hide sidebar buttons: On the left-hand side of your screen, you'll see
a button for 'New chat' that you can click on to start a fresh conversation at any
time. This feature is useful because the ChatGPT model remembers what was
previously discussed in a conversation and will respond with context, so starting a
new chat will create a new discussion without context. 
2. Chat history: The left sidebar also keeps all your previous conversations
accessible in case you need to go back to one, though there is the option for turning
off chat history. Here you can edit the title of each chat, share your chat history with
others, or delete it.
3. Account: Clicking on your e-mail address or name on the bottom left of your screen
will give you access to your account information, including settings, the option to log
out, and help and FAQ from OpenAI. If you don't have ChatGPT Plus, you'll see an
Upgrade to Plus button here.
4. Your prompts: The questions or prompts you give the AI chatbot appear here.
5. ChatGPT's responses: Whenever ChatGPT responds to your queries, the logo will
appear on the left. The Copy, Thumbs Up, and Thumbs Down buttons appear to
the right of each response. You can copy the text to your clipboard to paste it
elsewhere and provide feedback on whether the response was accurate. This
process helps fine-tune the AI tool.
6. Regenerate response: If you have issues getting a response in the chat or don't
get a satisfactory answer, you can click on 'Regenerate response' to prompt
ChatGPT to try again with a new reply for the latest prompt.
7. Text area: In this section, you enter your prompts and questions; just hit enter to
send them.
8. ChatGPT version: OpenAI includes a bit of fine print below the text input area,
where you can read the disclaimer that this is a "Free Research Preview. ChatGPT
may produce inaccurate information about people, places, or facts". This section
also shows the version of the ChatGPT model you're currently using. 

The numbered areas are explained above.

Screenshot by Maria Diaz/ZDNET

4. Start writing your prompts and questions

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Now you know how to log in to and access ChatGPT, it's time to get started. You can ask
the language model any burning questions you might have and see what answers you get
-- the possibilities are, quite literally, endless. ChatGPT is a tool that can be applied in
endless projects, from software development to writing to translations, and so much
more.

Also: How ChatGPT can rewrite and improve your existing code

Type in any ChatGPT prompts in the text bar at the bottom of the page and press enter to
submit your questions. The AI chatbot will then generate text to provide helpful answers
to your queries.

Start writing in the text box at the bottom of the page. Then, press enter to submit your prompt.
Screenshot by Maria Diaz/ZDNET

What is the best way to use ChatGPT?

ChatGPT can generate responses to prompts (a feature that could eventually challenge
search engines) that are enough to become an essential tool for content generation, from
writing essays to summarizing a book for you. Still, it can also write and fix code, make
calculations, help you compile your resume, write Excel formulas, translate information,
and more.

Also: Six skills you need to become an AI prompt engineer

The better the prompt, the better the response will be. Here are examples of prompts you
could start with:

How does a computer store and process information?

Analyze this code and tell me how to fix it: [Paste the code]
Write a poem about migraine in the style of Walt Whitman.
Write a plugin for ----- that does -----

What is the difference between a virus and a bacterium?

Write a sick note for my child who is missing school.

FAQs

What is ChatGPT?
ChatGPT is a large language model that uses artificial intelligence to hold text
conversations with users. 

Also: How to use ChatGPT to create an app

These conversations can feel as natural as if you were asking someone questions. 

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The human-like responses are helpful when translating from one language to another,
looking for instructions on how to do something, and generating written content.

What are custom instructions?

OpenAI recently announced you can increase the degree of customization for ChatGPT
within your account by using custom instructions. This feature will give the AI chatbot
context for each conversation, so it can respond according to your preferences, making it
perfectly tailored to respond to you.

Also: GPT-4 is getting significantly dumber over time, according to a study

If you'd like a certain degree of literary proficiency or professionalism in all of ChatGPT's

responses to your prompts, you can go to your account and change the custom
instructions to reflect this. For example, if you have an 8-year-old at home that you're
letting use ChatGPT, you can add custom instructions to make it always respond as if it's
talking to an 8-year-old, which will ensure it uses plain kid-friendly language. 

How does ChatGPT work?

ChatGPT uses reinforcement learning with human feedback (RLHF) to intelligently
process its environment, using human demonstrations to adapt to different situations with
learned, desired behaviors. 

Also: How does ChatGPT actually work?

ChatGPT was trained on a substantial amount of data before its research preview and
continues learning through the human knowledge users provide, making it able to give
educated responses to a wide variety of topics. 

How do I use ChatGPT for the first time?

You must register for an OpenAI account to use ChatGPT for the first time. Sign up for a
free OpenAI account using your email address and a valid phone number, and get started
with ChatGPT following the steps above.

How can I access ChatGPT?

You can access ChatGPT by going to chat.openai.com and logging in. If you're on
OpenAI's website, you can log in to your account, then scroll down until you see ChatGTP
on the bottom left corner of the page, and click on it to start chatting.

How can I use ChatGPT without a login?

There's no way to use ChatGPT through OpenAI without logging in, and when you do
create an account through the website, you must also provide an active phone number for
confirmation.

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If you'd rather access an AI chatbot without logging in to a website, you can use Bing
Chat, which is not only free, but lets you use it without logging in, and it's built with GPT-4,
a larger and newer model than the one used in ChatGPT, also from OpenAI. You can log
in to Bing with a Microsoft account for extended conversations. 

Also: ChatGPT vs. Bing Chat vs. Google Bard: Which is the best AI chatbot?

HuggingChat is another AI chatbot that doesn't require users to log in to access it, but it's
not as effective as ChatGPT and Bing Chat.

Does ChatGPT have an app?

OpenAI launched an iOS app for ChatGPT, which you can find in the App Store if you
have an iPhone. 

The company also recently announced the launch of an Android app, and users can pre-
register for it now. 

Also: These are my 4 favorite AI chatbot apps for Android

If you don't want to download an app, smartphone users can use the AI-based tool from
their mobile browser on their device. 

Can I use ChatGPT on my phone?

The steps to use OpenAI's ChatGPT from your Android phone are the same as above: go
to chat.openai.com, log in, accept the terms, and start typing. The AI assistant will work
just as it does when you access it from your computer. 

Is ChatGPT free?
Yes, you can use ChatGPT for free -- for now. Since the natural language processing
model is still in its research and "learning" preview phase, people can use it for free; you
only need to register for a free OpenAI account, though there is an option to upgrade to a
paid membership. 

The key differences between a free account and ChatGPT Plus.

Screenshot: Maria Diaz/ZDNET

OpenAI launched ChatGPT Plus for customers who want unlimited access without black-
out windows during peak times, faster responses, and priority access to new features.
The cost is $20/month. 

Also: The best AI art generators: DALL-E 2, and alternatives

The paid subscription also gives users access to GPT-4, a larger and more advanced
LLM than GPT-3.5, which is used in the free version of ChatGPT. 

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What can I use ChatGPT for? 
Your imagination is the limit. Have fun with different ChatGPT prompts. ZDNET's David
Gewirtz asked the AI chatbot to write a WordPress plugin for him and used it to help him
fix code faster, for example. He also asked ChatGPT to write a Star Trek
script and started a business using it and other AI tools.

Also: How to use ChatGPT to write code

Others have used it to write malware. One professor has promoted the use of ChatGPT in
his classroom, and countless other teachers are using it even more than their students.
Here are a few other ideas you could try: 

Write a song about [insert topic here] -- Try adding multiple details. 
Write a poem about [insert topic here] -- Again, add as many details as possible.  
Give it a list of ingredients from your pantry and ask it to write a recipe with them.
Ask it philosophical questions. 
Ask it to summarize ideas or concepts.
Request a packing list for a three-day trip to the beach.

The more details you write in your prompts, the more precise the answers will be. 

ChatGPT could one day replace and, in the case of Bing Chat, enhance search engines.
Although the text bar in ChatGPT isn't a search bar, Microsoft introduced an AI-powered
Bing search engine connected to the internet months ago, providing answers to questions
that ChatGPT can't handle.

How can I share ChatGPT conversations?

ChatGPT was recently updated to support sharing conversations with others by creating
a link for them. If you want to send a conversation to someone else, follow these steps:

1. Find the discussion on the sidebar to the left of the window

2. Hover over the chat title on the sidebar and click on the Share icon
3. Click on Copy Link
4. Paste your link into a message or email for the recipient
5. Send

Is ChatGPT the best AI?

If you're trying to figure out which is the best AI chatbot, you might wonder how OpenAI's
ChatGPT compares to others, like Google Bard and Microsoft's AI-powered Bing.
ChatGPT's rise is primarily attributed to the expert combination of wide accessibility,
knowledge, and conversation fluidity. 

Also: ChatGPT vs. Bing Chat: Which AI chatbot should you use?

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Compared to ChatGPT, Bing Chat is more based on its search-engine nature, as it
combines GPT-4 and gathers information from the internet, even quoting the sources for
the web pages where it got its response. 

Can ChatGPT refuse to answer my prompts?

AI systems like ChatGPT aren't almighty; they can and do reject inappropriate requests.
Aside from having limited knowledge, the AI assistant can identify inappropriate
submissions to prevent the generation of unsafe content. 

Also: 6 things ChatGPT can't do (and another 20 it refuses to do)

These submissions include questions that violate someone's rights, are offensive, are
discriminatory, or involve illegal activities. The ChatGPT model can also challenge
incorrect premises, answer follow-up questions, and even admit mistakes when you point
them out.

Does ChatGPT give everyone the same answer?

ChatGPT can generate essays, write code, and more from user queries.
Screenshot by Maria Diaz/ZDNET

Most of the time, when different people ask ChatGPT the same question, they will get the
same answer. There might be a few variations in words, but the response will be almost
identical. 

Also: How to turn any photo into a professional headshot with AI

Someone who wanted to determine whether ChatGPT wrote an article or essay could ask
ChatGPT the same question the article or essay was based on and see if the response is
similar. ChatGPT also tends to generate more polite prose than human writers. 

Does ChatGPT give wrong answers?

ChatGPT, like all language models, has limitations and can give nonsensical answers and
incorrect information, so it's important to double-check the data it gives you. It's constantly
learning from the text data provided by users and the results it finds online, which can
make it prone to misinformation. 

OpenAI recommends that users provide feedback on what ChatGPT tells them by using
the thumbs-up and thumbs-down buttons to improve the model. Even better, you could
become part of the company's Bug Bounty program to earn up to $20,000 by reporting
security bugs and safety issues. 

Also: My 5 favorite AI tools for work

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The AI chatbot is not connected to the internet and cannot determine the current date, so
asking ChatGPT how many days until Easter won't get you an exact number of days. This
restriction is one of the ways ChatGPT differs from search engines.

Will my conversations with ChatGPT be used for training?

When familiarizing yourself with how to use ChatGPT, you might wonder if your specific
conversations will be used for training and, if so, who can view your chats. Your
conversations can be viewed by OpenAI and used as training data to refine its systems
unless you have a Plus membership, so I wouldn't enter any personal or private
information into the chat window. 

Also: This new AI tool will summarize YouTube videos for you in seconds

The prompts you enter when you use ChatGPT are also permanently saved to your
account unless you delete them. If you turn off your chat history, OpenAI will retain all
conversations for 30 days before permanently deleting them to monitor for abuse. 

How do I turn off chat history?

Turning off chat history on ChatGPT is pretty simple. Just follow these steps:

1. Log in to your OpenAI account

2. Go to the chat window at chat.openai.com
3. Click on your account on the bottom left of the screen
4. Next to Data Controls, click on Show
5. Toggle off Chat History & Training

New conversations won't be used for training and they won't appear on the sidebar after
turning off chat history.

How do I delete my ChatGPT account?

If you'd like to delete the account you use for ChatGPT, you'll have to delete your OpenAI
account. Follow these steps:

1. Log in to your OpenAI account

2. Go to Help
3. On the bottom of the popup, select Messages
4. Click on Send Us a message
5. Choose Account Deletion from the available options
6. Follow the prompts to delete your account and data

Why can't I log in to ChatGPT?

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If you're having issues logging in to ChatGPT after using it, there are a few things you can
try. Access to ChatGPT can be affected by various issues -- mine gets denied while using
a VPN, for example.

Also: 5 ways to use chatbots to make your life easier

OpenAI recommends refreshing your browser's cache and cookies and using the correct
authentication method and login information. If you've done these things and still can't log
in, you can find more troubleshooting help at OpenAI's website.

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