How to Use ChatGPT — A beginners guide!

ChatGPT has unleashed a new era of conversational AI, making it easier than ever to integrate advanced language models into our daily lives.

From simplifying complex tasks to providing insightful responses, to helping you write code or having a fun conversation; learning how to use ChatGPT is a game-changer.

Whether you use it for professional purposes, such as drafting emails or writing code, generating creative content, or for personal use, like having a friendly chat with an AI, mastering how to use ChatGPT will open up a world of possibilities.

While it is certainly advanced, don’t let that intimidate you. This guide is here to break down the complexities and make it accessible for all, so that everyone, regardless of their technical background, can benefit from this powerful tool.

How to access ChatGPT – Getting Started!

Firstly, to use ChatGPT you will have to sign up for an account on the OpenAI website. Once you have an account, you can access ChatGPT through the web interface, or by installing ChatGPT app on your Android or iPhone.

If you haven’t already signup, here is how to sign up for an OpenAI account and use ChatGPT!

  1. Visit chat.openai.com on your web browser and sign up using your email or social accounts.
  2. After successfully signing up, verify your identity and your phone number. (Applicable in case of email signup)
  3. Once verified, you can access ChatGPT directly from the website using your OpenAI login credentials.

chatgpt website home screen after first login

If you want to use ChatGPT on your Smartphone, download the ChatGPT app from Google Play Store or Apple App Store.

After downloading the app, log in with your OpenAI account credentials and use ChatGPT on your smartphone.

Now, you are all set to start using ChatGPT. To interact with ChatGPT, simply type your prompt or query into the text box and press enter. The AI will then generate a response based on your input.

How to use ChatGPT – Exploring the interface and Features!

Now you are inside ChatGPT and don’t know where to start. No worries!

Here’s a quick rundown of what you can do after signing up for ChatGPT. This will help you understand the interface properly and get the most out of this powerful tool:

Ask ChatGPT a question or give it a prompt

You can start a conversation with ChatGPT by typing a message into the text or message box and pressing enter. This could be a question, a command, a prompt, or any other form of text input. The AI will then generate a response based on your input.

For example, we asked ChatGPT, “Write an 8-line poem about yourself!” and here is what we got as a response.

asking chatgpt a question

After you get a response from ChatGPT, you have a couple of things that you can do:

  1. Continue the conversation: You can simply type another message or question in the text box and press enter to continue the conversation. This could be a follow-up question, a new topic, or a response to the AI’s message.
  2. Edit the question: If you feel that you didn’t get the desired response, or you want to ask the question in a different way, you can edit your question or prompt. Press the Edit icon that appears when you hover over the question, rewrite your question and press enter again. The AI will then generate a new response based on the edited input.
  3. Regenerate another response: If you’re not satisfied with the AI’s response, you can ask it to generate a new one. Simply click on the Regenerate button next to the response. ChatGPT will keep all generated responses, which you can always refer back to by pressing the arrow icon on the response, and even provide feedback to new responses.
  4. Copy the response: If you want to save the AI’s response for future reference, you can copy it. Just click on the Copy icon at the bottom of the response, and it will be copied to your clipboard.
  5. Rate the response: After receiving a response, you have the option to rate it. If you are satisfied with the response, press Thumbs up, otherwise press Thumbs down. Further, you can provide additional feedback on what you like or dislike about ChatGPT’s response to your question. This helps OpenAI to improve the performance of ChatGPT.
  6. Share your conversation: If you’ve had a particularly insightful or interesting conversation with ChatGPT, you can share it with others. Simply click on the Share icon, and you’ll be given options to share your conversation via email, social media, or a direct link. This is a great way to showcase the capabilities of ChatGPT to others.

chatgpt conversations interface explained

Start a New Chat on ChatGPT

Whenever you feel that you want to have a different conversation with ChatGPT, you can simply press the New Chat button on the left sidebar and start afresh. This is particularly useful when you want to switch topics or start a conversation from a new perspective or a different context.

open new chat conversation in chatgpt website

Doing this will open a new chat window where you can start a fresh conversation with the AI, while your older chat remains accessible from the sidebar.

Access Chat History on ChatGPT

By default, ChatGPT keeps a record of all your previous interactions. This allows you to revisit past conversations, review responses, and learn from your interactions with the AI.

You can find all your previous conversations from the left sidebar, where your previous chats are arranged in chronological order. To revisit a conversation, simply click on the chat you want to view, and it will open in the main chat window.

chat history inside chatgpt sidebar

Further, you can rename, or even delete a conversation from your chat history as per your needs. To do this, hover over the chat you want to manage, and from there select the appropriate option.

However, you can also turn off chat history on ChatGPT, if you prefer not to keep a record of your conversations.

Customize your ChatGPT Account Settings

To make your ChatGPT experience more personalized, you can customize or tweak its settings to suit your need. The list isn’t extensive, but it provides some useful options to enhance your experience with ChatGPT.

To access your ChatGPT account settings, click on the ellipsis menu next to your account email and select Settings from the options.

access chatgpt settings from sidebar

Inside the Settings popup, you’ll see General Settings, where you can choose between Dark and Light mode for your ChatGPT interface. The default is set to System, where ChatGPT will automatically match the theme of your device.

chatgpt general settings popup

You also have the option to Clear all chats, which allows you to clear all your conversations with ChatGPT in one go. This is a useful feature if you want to start over and remove all your previous interactions with the AI.

While in the Data Controls settings tab, you can manage whether you want ChatGPT to save your chat history and use it for training purposes of their language model. You can also view all your Shared links, and even export your ChatGPT data. And if you want to delete your ChatGPT account, you will also find that option under the Data Controls tab.

chatgpt data controls settings popup options

How to subscribe to ChatGPT Plus and get access to GPT-4 inside ChatGPT?

ChatGPT Plus is a subscription plan offered by OpenAI that provides a number of benefits to subscribers. For a monthly fee of $20, subscribers get general access to ChatGPT even during peak times, faster response times, useful plugins, and priority access to new features and improvements.

upgrade to chatgpt plus to access gpt 4

One of the exciting features that subscribers get access to is OpenAI’s GPT-4 inside ChatGPT. GPT-4 is the latest version of the multimodal model developed by OpenAI, which promises to deliver even more accurate and nuanced responses. Its ability to take new parameters as inputs, including images, videos, and audio unlocks a whole new level of interaction with the AI.

To subscribe to ChatGPT Plus, click on the Upgrade to Plus on the left-sidebar, right above your account email address.

click on upgrade to plus inside chatgpt

Then on the Your Plan popup, press the Upgrade to Plus button and complete the payment to subscribe to ChatGPT Plus.

click on upgrade to plus button on your plan popup chatgpt

Once you’ve subscribed, you’ll be able to enjoy all the benefits of a ChatGPT Plus subscription immediately.

Switch to GPT-4 from GPT-3.5 in a ChatGPT conversation

Once you are subscribed to ChatGPT Plus, you’ll be able to switch to GPT-4 from the default GPT-3.5 model that’s available for free to all ChatGPT users.

To do this, start a new chat and select the GPT-4 option from the language model switcher at the top of the chat window. This will set your conversation to use the GPT-4 model for responses.

switch to gpt 4 from gpt 3.5 chatgpt

Remember, the GPT-4 model is capped at 50 messages every 3 hours to ensure fair usage for all subscribers. After reaching this limit, you’ll have to wait until the cap resets.

gpt 4 features and limitations chatgpt

While you can start a new conversation with GPT-4 languages model, there is no option to change the language model in an ongoing conversation.

Best way to use ChatGPT like a pro!

As a tool, ChatGPT can be challenging for beginners, but with a little practice, you can take full advantage of its features. From writing a good prompt to asking the right questions, and utilizing the various settings effectively, there are many ways to optimize your experience with ChatGPT.

Here are some tips:

  • Be specific with your prompts: The more specific you are with your prompts, the better the AI will understand your request and provide an accurate response.
  • Experiment with Prompts: Don’t hesitate to experiment with different prompts. Sometimes, a slight change in the wording can lead to significantly different responses.
  • Use different language models: ChatGPT offers different language models, GPT-3.5 and GPT-4, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. Experiment with different models to find the one that best suits your needs. Just because GPT-4 is newer, doesn’t mean it will always be the best choice for your specific task.
  • Use the Feedback Option: If you find a response from ChatGPT particularly helpful or unhelpful, use the feedback option to rate the response. This helps OpenAI to improve the performance of ChatGPT.
  • Understand the Limitations: Remember, while ChatGPT is a powerful tool, it has its limitations. It doesn’t understand context in the same way humans do and may sometimes provide incorrect or nonsensical responses.

By following these tips, you can make your interactions with ChatGPT more productive and enjoyable. Remember, practice makes perfect. The more you use ChatGPT, the better you’ll get at understanding its quirks and leveraging its capabilities in your workflow.

Final words — Use ChatGPT like a PRO!

Now that you know all the necessary information, you can start using ChatGPT like a pro! Engage in diverse conversations, explore different topics, experiment with prompts, and make the most of the AI’s capabilities. Remember to regularly for new updates and see what features OpenAI bringing into this AI chatbot.

Also, don’t forget to manage your chat history effectively. Reviewing past interactions can be a great way to learn and improve your conversational skills with AI. And if you ever feel the need for a fresh start, you always have the option to clear all chats.

Finally, consider subscribing to ChatGPT Plus to unlock even more exciting features and benefits. With GPT-4, you can enjoy a whole new level of interaction with the AI, providing more accurate and nuanced responses. Whether you’re using ChatGPT for personal use, for learning, or for professional purposes, the subscription can significantly enhance your overall experience.

Remember, while ChatGPT is a powerful tool, it’s also a learning AI. It’s constantly improving and evolving, so don’t be afraid to experiment and try new things. You never know what you might discover!

Happy chatting with ChatGPT!

FAQ – How to use ChatGPT?

Can we use ChatGPT for free?

Yes, you can use ChatGPT from any web-browser for free after signing up for an OpenAI account. You can also use ChatGPT on your smartphone, by downloading the official ChatGPT app on your Android phone or iPhone.
However, if you want to use more advanced GPT-4 language model, you will need to subscribe to ChatGPT Plus which will cost you $20/month.

How can I use ChatGPT without a login?

Unfortunately, you cannot use ChatGPT without logging in. Creating an account and logging in is necessary to maintain the quality of service and prevent misuse of the AI. You can sign up for a free account using your email address. After signing up, you can start using ChatGPT immediately.

How to use ChatGPT on my phone?

To use ChatGPT on your phone, download and install the free official ChatGPT app on your Android or iPhone. Do note that, you can’t take the full benefit of ChatGPT Plus on your phone as some features are only available on the web version of ChatGPT.

How does ChatGPT work?

ChatGPT works using a language model called GPT, developed by OpenAI. It’s trained on a diverse range of internet text, but it doesn’t know specific documents or sources it was trained on. It generates responses to prompts by predicting what comes next in a piece of text, based on the patterns it learned during its training.

Is it safe to use ChatGPT?

Yes, it’s safe to use ChatGPT. OpenAI has implemented several safety measures to ensure user privacy and data security.All user inputs are anonymized and stripped of personally identifiable information before being used to improve the model. Moreover, OpenAI has a strict policy of not sharing user data with third parties.

How much does ChatGPT cost?

ChatGPT is free to use during research preview. During this period, ChatGPT aims to learn from user feedback and improve. However, for advanced features like, plugins and access to the GPT-4 language model, you need to subscribe to ChatGPT Plus, which costs $20/month.

What is the difference between GPT-3.5 and GPT-4?

GPT-3.5 and GPT-4 are different versions of the language model developed by OpenAI. GPT-4 is the latest version, and it offers more accurate and nuanced responses. It also has the ability to take new parameters as inputs, including images, videos, and audio.

About the author

Anubhav Bhatnagar
Anubhav Bhatnagar
He is your friendly neighbor who love learning and sharing it with everyone. A nerd who loves observing, exploring, and critiquing. He fancies good design, and it trying to find his way somewhere in between minimalism and essentialism.You can connect with him @AnooBav on all social platforms.

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