How to Use ChatGPT (2025)

Kevin Stratvert
10 Feb 202518:27

TLDRThis video provides a comprehensive guide on using ChatGPT, covering its basic and advanced features. It explains how to access the platform, write effective prompts for better responses, and utilize tools like Canvas for editing text. The video also demonstrates how to upload files for analysis, search for up-to-date information, and use reasoning models for complex tasks. Additionally, it explores customizing ChatGPT for personalized interactions and introduces premium features like Sora and project management. The host emphasizes verifying ChatGPT's responses and keeping a human in the loop.

Takeaways

  • 🌐 ChatGPT is an advanced AI tool that can answer questions, assist with writing tasks, create stories, and even generate jokes.
  • 📝 Effective prompt writing is crucial for better responses from ChatGPT. Providing more context and details leads to more tailored and specific outputs.
  • 🚀 ChatGPT offers various models that excel at different tasks, and users can switch between them depending on their needs.
  • 🎨 The Canvas feature allows users to create, edit, and iterate on long-form text or code interactively, making it easier to refine outputs.
  • 📈 The Reasoning model is useful for logical thinking and multi-step analysis, such as forecasting production needs based on historical data.
  • 🌐 Multimodal mode enables users to upload various file types (e.g., documents, images, code files) and interact with them through prompts.
  • 🔍 The search feature allows ChatGPT to access up-to-date information from the web, which is useful for the latest trends or current data.
  • 🖼️ ChatGPT can generate images based on textual prompts, though the quality may vary and may require multiple attempts to get a satisfactory result.
  • 👤 Users can customize ChatGPT by providing personal context, preferences, and settings to enhance the relevance of its responses.
  • 🔒 Data privacy settings allow users to control whether their input data is used to improve ChatGPT's models or kept private.
  • 💰 ChatGPT offers a premium plan with additional features, including access to the latest models, video generation with Sora, and project organization tools.

Q & A

  • What is ChatGPT and what can it do?

    -ChatGPT is an advanced AI that can answer questions, help with writing tasks like YouTube scripts, create stories and jokes, and even generate images. It works by analyzing large amounts of text to predict the best response based on the user's input.

  • How can I access ChatGPT?

    -You can access ChatGPT by visiting chatgpt.com. If you don't have an account, you can sign up for free. Logging in gives you access to better models, the ability to upload files, create images, and more.

  • What is the importance of writing detailed prompts when using ChatGPT?

    -The more detail and context you provide in your prompts, the better the response will be. Generic prompts often result in generic answers, while specific prompts with clear instructions lead to more tailored and effective outputs.

  • What is the Canvas feature in ChatGPT and how can it be used?

    -The Canvas is an interactive space where you can create, edit, and iterate long-form text or code. You can use it to refine and improve the text generated by ChatGPT, make specific changes, and see a detailed comparison of the changes made.

  • What types of files can I upload to ChatGPT?

    -You can upload a variety of file types, including document files like Word and PDF, spreadsheets, images, and even code files like Python or JavaScript. You can also connect to Google Drive or OneDrive to upload files directly from there.

  • How can ChatGPT help with analyzing images?

    -ChatGPT can analyze images and provide information based on their content. For example, it can identify objects, locations, or even extract text from images, depending on the prompt given.

  • What is the reasoning model in ChatGPT and when should it be used?

    -The reasoning model in ChatGPT is designed for logical thinking and multi-step analysis. It can be used for tasks that require complex calculations, predictions, or decision-making, such as figuring out production quantities based on past data.

  • What is a custom GPT and how can I use it?

    -A custom GPT is a specialized AI assistant built for specific tasks. You can use it for tasks like logo creation, data analysis, or any other specialized need. You can find pre-built custom GPTs or create your own for more tailored functionality.

  • What additional features does the ChatGPT premium plan offer?

    -The premium plan offers access to the latest models, including advanced reasoning models. It also provides features like Sora for generating video clips, the ability to organize chats into projects, and more.

  • How can I customize ChatGPT to remember specific context or information?

    -You can customize ChatGPT by clicking on your profile picture and selecting 'customize ChatGPT.' Here, you can provide details about yourself, your business, or any specific context you want ChatGPT to remember every time you prompt it.

  • Can I control whether my data is used to improve ChatGPT's models?

    -Yes, you can control this by going to settings and selecting 'data controls.' There is an option to toggle whether your data is used to improve the model for everyone. You can turn it off if you prefer to keep your data private.

Outlines

00:00

😀 Introduction to ChatGPT and Basic Usage

Kevin introduces ChatGPT as an advanced AI tool capable of answering questions, writing scripts, creating stories, and generating jokes. He explains that ChatGPT analyzes vast amounts of text to provide responses and highlights its potential for being a powerful tool when used correctly. Kevin guides viewers on how to access ChatGPT through chatgpt.com, recommending signing up for an account to unlock additional features like better models and file uploads. He demonstrates the simple interface, focusing on the text field where users can input prompts. Using the example of composing a marketing email for his cookie business, Kevin shows how a vague prompt results in a generic response. He then refines the prompt with more details, resulting in a more tailored and effective email. Kevin also demonstrates how to interact with ChatGPT's output by copying, giving feedback, and editing in the Canvas feature.

05:05

📝 Editing and Multimodal Features of ChatGPT

Kevin explores the Canvas feature of ChatGPT, which allows users to edit and refine generated text interactively. He demonstrates how to make specific changes to the text, such as adding urgency and exclusivity to a marketing email. He shows how to track changes, undo edits, and update portions of the text. Kevin also highlights ChatGPT's multimodal mode, which supports uploading various file types like documents, images, and code. He demonstrates how to upload an image of a world map with cookie store locations and asks ChatGPT to extract location data from it. Additionally, he explains the search feature, which allows ChatGPT to access up-to-date information from the web, and provides an example by searching for trending cookie flavors in 2025.

10:09

🔍 Reasoning Models and Customization Options

Kevin delves into ChatGPT's reasoning models, which are useful for logical thinking and multi-step analysis. He uses an example from the Kevin Cookie Company to determine the optimal number of cookies to bake for the upcoming holiday season based on past data. ChatGPT provides a detailed thought process and a reasonable estimate for production and pricing. Kevin then discusses the ability to customize ChatGPT by adding personal context, such as his name and business details, to improve the relevance of responses. He also explores the option to access custom GPTs specialized for different tasks, such as logo creation or data analysis, and mentions the possibility of creating one's own custom GPT.

15:13

⚙️ Advanced Settings and Premium Features

Kevin covers advanced settings in ChatGPT, including data controls that allow users to choose whether their input data is used to improve the model. He explains how to access these settings and emphasizes the importance of verifying ChatGPT's responses. He then introduces the premium subscription, which offers access to the latest models, a video generation tool called Sora, and the ability to organize chats into projects. Kevin demonstrates how to create a new project and manage related chats and files. He concludes by reminding viewers to always verify AI-generated information and to stay tuned for more videos on ChatGPT.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡ChatGPT

ChatGPT is an advanced artificial intelligence tool designed to generate human-like text based on user prompts. It is the central focus of the video, which aims to teach viewers how to effectively use it. In the script, ChatGPT is described as a powerful tool that can answer questions, assist with writing tasks, create stories, jokes, and even generate images. For example, the host mentions that 'ChatGPT is an advanced AI that can answer questions, help with writing like a YouTube script, or even create stories and jokes.'

💡Prompt

A prompt is the input text that users provide to ChatGPT to generate a response. It is a crucial concept in the video, as the quality of the output depends on the clarity and detail of the prompt. The host explains that providing more context in the prompt leads to better results. For instance, in the script, the host demonstrates how a vague prompt results in a generic response, while a more detailed prompt yields a tailored and effective message.

💡Canvas

Canvas is a feature in ChatGPT that allows users to create, edit, and iterate on long-form text or code. It is showcased in the video as a tool for refining and customizing the generated text. The host uses the Canvas to make specific changes to a marketing email generated by ChatGPT, demonstrating how it can be used to tweak the wording and improve the overall message. For example, the host says, 'Over here, we can edit in something called the Canvas, and in a moment, we'll do this.'

💡Multimodal Mode

Multimodal mode refers to the ability of ChatGPT to interact with various types of files, such as documents, images, and code files. This feature is highlighted in the video as a way to enhance productivity by allowing users to upload files and receive relevant responses based on the file content. The host demonstrates this by uploading an image of a world map with store locations and asking ChatGPT to extract the locations, showing how multimodal mode can save time and effort.

💡Reasoning Models

Reasoning models are specialized versions of ChatGPT designed to perform logical thinking and multi-step analysis. They are mentioned in the video as useful for tasks that require more complex reasoning, such as predicting future production needs based on past data. The host uses a reasoning model to determine how many cookies to bake for the upcoming holiday season, illustrating how these models can provide insightful and data-driven recommendations.

💡Custom GPT

Custom GPT refers to specialized versions of the AI assistant tailored for specific tasks or industries. The video mentions that users can explore or even create custom GPTs to better suit their needs. For example, the host lists several custom GPTs, such as one specializing in logo creation and another that uses only peer-reviewed content. This shows how custom GPTs can provide more focused and relevant assistance compared to the general ChatGPT model.

💡Premium Plan

The premium plan is an upgraded subscription option for ChatGPT that offers additional features and capabilities. The video discusses some of the benefits of the premium plan, such as access to the latest models, the ability to generate video clips with Sora, and the option to organize chats into projects. The host mentions that the premium plan starts at $20 per month and provides more advanced tools for users who require them.

💡Data Controls

Data controls refer to the settings that allow users to manage how their data is used by ChatGPT. In the video, the host explains that by default, user data is used to help train the models, but users can opt out of this if they prefer. This is an important aspect of privacy and data management, as it gives users control over whether their data contributes to improving the AI. The host demonstrates how to access and adjust these settings in the profile menu.

💡Search Feature

The search feature in ChatGPT allows users to access up-to-date information by integrating web search results into the AI's responses. This is particularly useful for obtaining the latest trends, competitor offerings, or current prices, which may not be included in the AI's pre-trained data. The host demonstrates this by searching for trending cookie flavors in 2025, showing how the search feature can provide current and relevant information.

💡Projects

Projects is a feature in ChatGPT that enables users to organize their chats and related files into specific categories or tasks. This helps users keep their work structured and easily accessible. In the video, the host shows how to create a new project and drag chats into it, illustrating how projects can be used to manage different tasks or initiatives, such as a new cookie launch.

Highlights

ChatGPT is an advanced AI that can answer questions, help with writing, create stories, and even generate jokes.

ChatGPT works by analyzing massive amounts of text to predict the best response based on user input.

The effectiveness of ChatGPT's responses depends on the quality and detail of the prompts provided.

Users can access ChatGPT by visiting chatgpt.com and signing up for free to unlock better models and additional features.

ChatGPT offers a simple interface with a text field for sending prompts and examples of common tasks.

Detailed prompts yield more tailored and effective responses from ChatGPT.

Users can edit and refine generated text using the Canvas feature.

ChatGPT supports multimodal mode, allowing users to upload files and interact with them through prompts.

The search feature enables ChatGPT to access up-to-date information beyond its training data.

The reasoning models in ChatGPT can perform logical thinking and multi-step analysis.

Users can customize ChatGPT to remember specific context, such as their name or business.

ChatGPT offers a premium plan with access to advanced models, video generation, and project organization.

Users can control whether their data is used to improve ChatGPT's models through data controls.

ChatGPT can generate images based on prompts.

Custom GPTs are available for specialized tasks, such as logo creation or data analysis.

Always verify ChatGPT's responses and keep a human in the loop for critical tasks.