General Information
Custom instructions allow you to share anything you'd like ChatGPT to consider in its response. Your custom instructions are applied immediately to all chats.
Custom instructions are available on all plans on Web, Desktop, iOS, and Android.
How your data is used
You can edit or delete custom instructions at any time for future conversations.
Your instructions won’t be shared with shared link viewers.
If you use third party plug-ins, then the model may provide plug-in developers with relevant information from your instructions. Only use plug-ins that you trust, and don’t share any information you don’t want to give to third party plug-in developers.
Important: Information from your use of custom instructions will also be used to improve model performance – like teaching the model how to adapt its responses to your instructions without overdoing it.
Learn more about how we use your data and how you can opt out of your content being used to improve model performance.
Enabling Custom Instructions
Updates to custom instructions settings are applied immediately across all chats (including existing conversations
iOS & Android
In your Settings, select Customize ChatGPT.
Please make sure that Enable customization is toggle ON.
Enter your instructions in the Custom Instructions field.
Web & Desktop
In your Settings, select Personalization.
Please make sure that Enable customization is toggle ON.
Enter your instructions in the Custom Instructions field.
Disabling Custom Instructions
iOS & Android
In your Settings, select Customize ChatGPT.
Toggle Enable customization OFF.
[Optional] Delete your instructions from the relevant fields.
Web & Desktop
In your Settings, select Personalization and click on Custom Instructions.
Toggle Enable customization OFF.
[Optional] Delete your instructions from the relevant fields.
Frequently asked questions
What is the benefit of using custom instructions?
This feature allows customization of ChatGPT's responses based on your preferences, and can be modified or removed anytime for future conversations.
Is there a character limit for custom instructions?
The longer form text fields have a 1500 character limit.
Are custom instructions included in my ChatGPT data export?
Yes.
Are my custom instructions data deleted when I delete my OpenAI account?
When you delete your OpenAI account, custom instructions that are tied to your account will also be deleted within 30 days as part of that process. If you haven't opted out of having your content used to improve our services, then we may have chat records that are de-identified and disassociated from your account.
If I update or remove my custom instructions, will previous versions of my instructions continue to appear in my chat history?
Yes, updates to your instructions are reflected only in future conversations. To remove custom instructions from previous conversations, you can clear those conversations from your chat history. Learn more about clearing conversations in this Help Center article.
Chat Completions API system message vs Custom Instructions in UI
There will be no API for custom instructions as in the Chat Completions API system messages should be used for similar effect. Learn more.