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Though amazing, ChatGPT’s lifeless responses are easily modifiable.
To address the challenges of personalization and maintaining consistent memory, OpenAI has implemented the Custom Instructions feature in ChatGPT. This enhancement is available to all users, regardless of whether they are using a free or paid version.
Custom Instructions allow users to tailor ChatGPT’s responses to their specific needs and preferences, ensuring that these personalized settings are applied consistently across all chat sessions. This feature can be utilized in various ways, offering users a more customized interaction with ChatGPT.
1. Specify Safety and Age-Restriction Rules
The Custom Instructions feature in ChatGPT offers a valuable tool for creating a safer and more controlled environment for users, especially minors. You can utilize this feature to tailor ChatGPT’s responses to be suitable for your child’s specific age or to avoid certain topics that may not be age-inappropriate but are still areas of concern.
For example, if you are trying to reduce your child’s engagement with video games, you could set custom instructions for ChatGPT to avoid discussing or offering advice on video gaming. The effectiveness of this feature hinges on the clarity and specificity of the instructions you provide. It’s important to clearly define the content types that should be avoided or restricted and remind ChatGPT to adhere to these guidelines while responding helpfully within these boundaries. To ensure the instructions are effective, it’s a good idea to test them with sample queries.
Here’s how you can phrase a sample instruction for the custom instructions input field:
“Please tailor all responses to be suitable for a child of 10 years old. Avoid discussing or offering advice on video games, as well as any other topics specified. Always ensure responses are age-appropriate and within the bounds of these guidelines, providing helpful information while respecting these content restrictions.”
2. Indicate the Formatting Rules
The Custom Instructions feature in ChatGPT allows you to set specific guidelines for how responses should be formatted. This can be particularly beneficial if you need the information to be organized in a certain way, whether for easier comprehension, data processing, or content creation.
For example, you might instruct ChatGPT to structure its replies using bullet points, number lists, or in a question-and-answer format. If using ChatGPT for learning purposes, you could ask for explanations to be followed by examples, or for business-related inquiries, request succinct, summarized responses.
To effectively utilize this feature, your instructions need to be clear and precise about the desired format. For instance:
“Organize all responses in bullet points, presenting each main idea or piece of information as a separate bullet. Ensure that each bullet point is clear and concise.”
By establishing these formatting guidelines, you can tailor ChatGPT’s output to better suit your specific requirements, enhancing the usability and relevance of the information provided.
Please use the key=>value pair provided to determine how to structure your responses. For instance, when your response relates to history, use the timeline format. history => timeline format, ideas => mindmap format, References => AP, programming steps => flowchart, article => markdown format, measurement => metric units, Names => Last First Middle, Money => USD $0.00, sort => Z-A, Temperature => Fahrenheit
3.Use ChatGPT to React to Particular Events
ChatGPT’s Custom Instructions feature can also be programmed to react to specific occurrences or triggers within your interactions. This capability is particularly useful for tailoring responses to certain scenarios or topics that might arise during your conversation.
For example, you can set instructions for ChatGPT to respond with encouragement or motivational quotes when it detects phrases indicating discouragement or a need for motivation. Alternatively, you might program it to offer specific advice or redirect the conversation when certain sensitive topics are mentioned.
To implement this, you would need to provide clear guidelines on how ChatGPT should recognize and respond to these specific occurrences. Your custom instruction might look like this:
“Whenever a phrase indicates a need for encouragement or motivation, respond with a positive, uplifting message or quote. If sensitive topics are brought up, provide thoughtful advice or gently steer the conversation to a more neutral topic.”
This feature allows ChatGPT to interact in a more context-sensitive and responsive manner, adapting its replies to the nuances of the conversation based on the predefined triggers and responses you’ve set.
Whenever I reach out for help regarding a resume, I need you to refer to the information provided at “https://www.makeuseof.com/how-to-write-cv-for-tech-job/” to guide our interaction. Based on the insights from that page, you should pose a series of eight targeted questions to me. My responses to these questions will be the foundation upon which you will construct a professional and effective resume tailored to a technology role. This specific procedure should be activated only when I’m seeking assistance with a tech-related resume. Moreover, I would like our exchange to be sequential, where you will present each subsequent question only after I have provided a thorough answer to the one preceding it.
4.Indicate Your Style of Writing
The Custom Instructions feature in ChatGPT can be utilized to indicate your preferred style of writing, allowing for a personalized and consistent tone throughout your interactions. This is particularly useful if you’re using ChatGPT for content creation, communication, or any purpose where a specific writing style is desired.
For example, you can instruct ChatGPT to always respond in a formal, academic tone, or conversely, in a casual and conversational manner. If you’re looking for creative writing, you might request a poetic or storytelling style. For professional contexts, you might prefer a clear, concise, and business-like tone.
To implement this, you need to provide clear and specific instructions about the desired writing style. An example of such an instruction could be:
“Always respond in a formal and professional tone, using clear and concise language appropriate for a business setting. Avoid colloquialisms and maintain a structured approach in the responses.”
By setting these style guidelines, you can ensure that ChatGPT’s outputs align with your specific tone and style requirements, making the interactions more suitable for your intended purpose.
I want you to extract a Personal Preference Map (PPM) from the write-up I provide in the next prompt. Now, a PPM is a key => value pair of conditions mapped to preferences. Below are examples of key => value pairs:Tone => sarcastic, sassy, and loving. Word choice => formal, complex. Sentence structure => mixed of short and long, mostly short. Explanation style => imagery, vivid, relatable. Reply affirmatively if you understand the task. When I provide the next prompt, extract the PPM using the same logic and formatting used above. The key => value pairs should be separated using “=>” Apart from the tone, word choice, and explanation style, I want you to include 10 other stylistic elements that better capture a writing style. Print the PPM after extraction.
This is how the outcomes ought to appear. Examine the results, make a copy of them, and then paste them into the second custom instruction feature area.
5. Supply Information for Customized Reactions
With the Custom Instructions feature in ChatGPT, you have the ability to supply information that enables ChatGPT to react in a customized manner to your queries. This feature is particularly useful for tailoring responses based on your unique preferences, needs, or situations.
For instance, you can provide background information or specific contexts that you want ChatGPT to consider when responding. This could include details about your field of work, areas of interest, or specific topics you want more detailed information on. You could also instruct ChatGPT to avoid certain subjects or to prioritize certain types of information in its responses.
To use this feature effectively, you should clearly and precisely input the information or context you want ChatGPT to use. An example instruction might be:
“Consider that my primary interest is in renewable energy. Tailor responses to emphasize this field, and avoid detailed discussions on unrelated industries. Prioritize providing the latest advancements and news in renewable energy.”
By supplying this customized information, you guide ChatGPT to generate responses that are more aligned with your specific interests and requirements.
- You can make ChatGPT respond with your family’s needs in mind.
2. You can make it respond in a way that aligns with your profession.
3. You can also make it respond to specific professional requirements
These are just three quick examples to get the ball rolling, but there are countless ways you can adapt ChatGPT custom instructions to your needs.
Make the Best of Custom Instructions
Regardless of the subject, ChatGPT’s default response times are genuinely astounding. Its generic, bland solutions, however, might not always be appropriate for your particular situation. You may use Custom Instructions to guarantee consistent, tailored interactions that are in line with their particular requirements and preferences if you put in a little thought and imagination. Refuse to accept the standard ChatGPT experience. To make it work better for you, take charge and alter it.
