Overview
Deep research helps you investigate complex questions, compare evidence, and produce results with citations or source links. You can use deep research in Chat or, when available to your account, in Work and Codex.
Deep research in Chat, Work, and Codex follows a similar flow: describe an outcome, provide context and sources, answer clarifying questions, and steer the task to create a structured report.
Start by describing the outcome you need, including the structure of the final report you require.
In Chat, the model will create a proposed research plan, which you can review and modify; you can also filter websites and provide additional source context for the model to use. In Work or Codex, ChatGPT will ask you clarifying questions once you provide the initial prompt.
You can follow progress as it runs and interrupt at any time to refine the focus, including adjusting which sources it can access.
You will receive a structured report with citations or source links so you can verify the information and continue to iterate.
When to use deep research
Use deep research for multi-step or in-depth questions that require combining and analyzing information from multiple sources, especially when you want explicit control over which sources are used.
For quick lookups or short conversations, standard chat may be faster.
Usage and limits
In Chat, deep research usage varies by plan. Your in-product usage counter shows your remaining tasks. For plans with a fixed monthly allowance, it resets every 30 days from the date of your first use.
For individual plan details, see What is ChatGPT Plus? and About ChatGPT Pro tiers.
In Work, deep research uses your existing Work/Codex allowance or credits. It does not use the separate deep research task allowance in Chat. Check the usage information shown in your account.
For Business, Enterprise, and Edu credit-based pricing, see the ChatGPT Work and Codex section of the ChatGPT Rate Card.
Work access and Deep Research availability depend on your account and workspace. Connected-source permissions also apply.
Get started
Start a research task
You can start a deep research task in Chat, Work, or Codex by typing @Deepresearch directly in the chat window. In Chat, you can also select Deep research from the tools menu (+).
Describe your question, audience, constraints, and desired output. Include relevant files and identify any supported connected sources you want to use. Answer any clarifying questions, then follow the task as it runs. Add instructions to refine the scope or ask for revisions to the results.
If you want an editable report, presentation, or spreadsheet, specify the format and destination. Available outputs depend on the task and supported capabilities.
For example: “@Deep Research, compare the main approaches to urban heat reduction. Use recent research, explain disagreements, and create an editable report with source links.”
Use data sources
Default sources in Chat
By default, deep research in Chat can access:
The public web
Files you upload
Sources in Work and Codex
Deep Research uses the sources available in the current task. These can include files you provide, files in an accessible workspace, web search when available, and supported apps that are enabled and authorized for your account.
Tell the task which sources to use or exclude. Starting deep research does not grant access to additional files or apps; session tools, workspace restrictions, and provider permissions still apply.
Connected apps
In Chat, deep research can use supported connected apps and data services that are available to your account. Depending on your plan, region, workspace settings, and the app’s capabilities, available sources can include document stores such as Google Drive or SharePoint and authenticated industry data services.
An app must be available for deep research and enabled for your workspace and role when applicable. When an app requires individual authorization, connect an account that can access the information you want to use. A supported administrator-managed source may be available without an individual connection.
App connections do not override provider permissions or workspace restrictions, and not every app or plugin supports deep research.
Deep research in Chat uses available read actions from connected apps. It does not use app write actions as part of research.
In Work and Codex, use supported sources that your account is authorized to access. Requesting an output in a connected app depends on that app’s supported capabilities and permissions.
For instructions on connecting an app, see: Connecting and managing app accounts in ChatGPT.
For information about app authorization and workspace restrictions, see: Managing app permissions in ChatGPT.
Web sources you specify in Chat (specific sites)
To focus research on specific websites, go to Sites > Manage sites in the ChatGPT prompt window.
You can choose to restrict research to only the websites or domains you enter, or select Prioritize these sites, but allow full-web search to emphasize specific sources while still searching the broader web.
You can also enter websites as a comma-separated list.
Enter your prompt in Chat
A good deep research prompt clearly describes the question, desired outcome, and any relevant constraints.
Before research begins, ChatGPT may ask clarifying questions to confirm your goals. You can review and edit its proposed research plan so the report stays aligned with what you want to accomplish.
Download and review your results
Review results in Chat
All deep research outputs include citations or source links so you can verify the information.
In Chat, completed research opens in a fullscreen report view with:
A table of contents for navigating long reports
A sources used section for reference checking
An activity history showing how the research progressed
In Chat, you can download completed reports for reuse or sharing in multiple formats, including Markdown, Word, and PDF.
Review results in Work and Codex
Open the delivered document or file and check its citations before using or sharing it. Confirm that the sources support the claims and that the output addresses your question. Ask for revisions or another supported format as needed.
If you requested a file, check that a file or link was created and that it opens successfully.
Enterprise admin controls and data privacy
Role-based access control (RBAC)
For Enterprise and Edu workspaces, admins control access to deep research through role-based access control (RBAC). For more information, see: RBAC.
The Deep research permission also applies to Deep Research in Work. Admins can manage it under Workspace settings > Permissions & roles. Web search must be enabled for Deep research to be available.
Deep research respects workspace app enablement, role access, and connected-account permissions. In Chat, an app appears as a research source only when it supports deep research and is available to the account and workspace. Enabling an app for a workspace does not guarantee that it supports deep research or that every member can access the same provider content.
For workspace administration, see: Admin controls, security, and compliance for plugins and apps.
Data privacy
Conversations using deep research in Chat follow the same data handling and privacy settings as regular ChatGPT conversations. For chat and uploaded-file retention, see Chat and File Retention Policies in ChatGPT.
In Work and Codex, Deep Research follows the data controls of the experience you’re using. Work on web and mobile runs in the cloud. Desktop workflows can run locally, but messages and task context may still be stored in the cloud.
Your ChatGPT training data controls also apply to content processed through Codex. For Plus and Pro, conversations may be used to improve models unless you turn off training in Data Controls. Business, Enterprise, and Edu content is not used for training by default.
For details, see ChatGPT Work and Codex and Using Codex with your ChatGPT plan.
Enterprise and Edu compliance
Deep research in Chat is covered by ChatGPT conversation logging in the OpenAI Compliance Platform. Deep Research in Work and supported Codex clients uses Codex compliance logs, including prompt and response text and supported app activity. Codex logging covers supported local clients, such as the CLI and IDE extension, as well as cloud usage.
Coverage varies by event type and client. For available records, see the Compliance Platform overview and Codex API reference.
FAQ
When should I use search vs deep research?
Use search for quick facts, and use deep research for depth and thoroughness.
Search quickly pulls recent web information and returns a short summary with links. Deep research takes more time to read and analyze many sources, then produces a detailed, documented report.
Does deep research work in all countries?
No. Availability depends on your plan and your country or territory.
What controls do I have while research is running?
In Chat, you can edit the research plan before it starts, view progress in real time, interrupt the research to adjust focus, and update which sources the research can access. In Work and Codex, you can add instructions to steer the task or revise its scope.
Can I choose a different model for deep research?
In Chat, deep research is powered by the latest model by default, and you can continue using legacy models for deep research if you prefer. In Work and Codex, check the model and reasoning options available for your task.
How long will my deep research results be available?
Deep research results in Chat follow the retention policy for the conversation, including any applicable workspace retention settings. Deleting the chat also deletes its associated deep research outputs under that policy. For details, see: Chat and File Retention Policies in ChatGPT.
For Work and Codex conversation history, see Archive and delete Codex chats. Manage any files you save or create in local folders or connected apps separately from the conversation.
What if my task needs urgent answers?
If time is critical, use search or standard chat for faster responses and save deep research for in-depth analysis.
Which apps are available for deep research?
In Chat, only apps that support deep research and are available to your account can be used as research sources. Availability depends on your plan, region, workspace configuration, role access, and the permissions of your connected provider account. An app being available in ChatGPT or included in a plugin does not, by itself, mean it is available for deep research. In Work and Codex, research can use supported sources available in the current task that your account is authorized to access. Available sources depend on the connected app’s capabilities and permissions.
For an overview of app availability and capabilities, see: Connected apps in ChatGPT.
If an expected source is missing, see: Troubleshooting apps in ChatGPT.
How does usage differ between Chat and Work/Codex?
Chat uses a separate, plan-dependent deep research task allowance. Deep research in Work uses your existing Work/Codex allowance or credits. Running a Work research task does not use a task from your Chat deep research allowance.
Why can’t I find Deep Research in Work or Codex?
Check that you are using Work or Codex with an eligible account and the intended workspace. If you use a managed workspace, ask your administrator to check Work/Codex access and the Deep research permission. If only a connected source is missing, check its supported capabilities, connection, and permissions.