How to Set Up ChatGPT Custom Instructions: Get Better Responses Every Time

I wasted months getting mediocre responses from ChatGPT before discovering custom instructions. Now every conversation starts exactly how I want it - no more repeating "be concise" or "I'm a developer" at the start of each chat.

Custom instructions are probably the most underused feature in ChatGPT. Let me show you how to set them up properly.

What Custom Instructions Actually Do

Think of custom instructions as a permanent note to ChatGPT about who you are and how you like your answers. Instead of starting fresh every conversation, ChatGPT remembers your preferences.

There are two parts:

1. About You - Background information ChatGPT should know
2. Response Preferences - How you want ChatGPT to reply

Both boxes have a 1,500 character limit. That's plenty if you're strategic about it.

Finding the Custom Instructions Setting

Here's how to access this feature:

1. Open ChatGPT (chat.openai.com)
2. Click your profile picture (bottom-left corner)
3. Select Settings
4. Click Personalization
5. Find Custom Instructions

On mobile, tap the menu icon, then Settings, then Personalization.

Setting Up "What Would You Like ChatGPT to Know?"

This first box is about context. What should ChatGPT understand about you before responding?

For Professionals

I'm a marketing manager at a B2B SaaS company. Our target audience is small business owners who aren't technical. I work primarily with email campaigns, landing pages, and social media content.

I'm comfortable with marketing terminology but prefer straightforward explanations over jargon. My company uses HubSpot for CRM and Mailchimp for emails.

For Developers

I'm a full-stack developer working mainly with React, Node.js, and PostgreSQL. I use TypeScript in most projects. My code runs in production environments, so I care about error handling and edge cases.

I'm familiar with modern JavaScript patterns and don't need basic syntax explained. I deploy to AWS using Docker containers.

For Students

I'm a university student studying computer science. I'm in my second year, so I understand programming basics but still learning advanced concepts.

I need to understand concepts deeply for exams, not just get quick answers. I learn best through examples and analogies.

For Writers

I'm a freelance content writer specializing in technology and business topics. I write for American audiences and follow AP style guidelines.

I value clarity over cleverness. My articles typically range from 1,500-2,500 words and need to be SEO-friendly without being stuffed with keywords.

Configuring Response Preferences

The second box controls how ChatGPT responds. This is where you can dramatically improve response quality.

For Concise Responses

Be direct and concise. Skip unnecessary preamble like "Great question!" or "I'd be happy to help."

Use bullet points for lists. Keep explanations brief unless I ask for more detail. If something has a simple answer, give me the simple answer first.

Don't add disclaimers unless there's a genuine safety or accuracy concern.

For Learning and Understanding

Explain concepts step by step. Use analogies to connect new ideas to things I already know.

After explaining something, give me a practical example. Check my understanding by asking if I want clarification on any part.

If I make a mistake in my reasoning, correct me directly and explain why.

For Coding Help

Provide working code examples, not pseudocode. Include error handling in examples.

Explain what the code does in comments, especially for non-obvious parts. If there are multiple ways to solve something, mention the alternatives briefly.

Use modern syntax and best practices. Don't suggest deprecated methods.

For Creative Writing

Match the tone I'm going for in my writing. If I share a draft, focus on what could be improved rather than praising what works.

Give me specific suggestions, not vague feedback like "make it more engaging." If you suggest a change, show me an example of how it would look.

Don't rewrite my entire piece - just address what I ask about.

My Personal Custom Instructions Setup

After months of tweaking, here's what works for me:

What ChatGPT Should Know:

I'm a content creator who writes about AI tools and technology. I explain complex topics to non-technical audiences. I value accuracy and always want to know when something might be outdated or uncertain.

I use AI tools daily and understand their capabilities and limitations. I don't need warnings about AI limitations unless there's something specific to my query.

How ChatGPT Should Respond:

Be direct. Start with the answer, then explain if needed.

Use formatting (headers, bullets, bold) to make responses scannable. Keep paragraphs short - 2-3 sentences max.

If I ask for opinions or recommendations, give me a clear stance rather than "it depends" (unless it genuinely does, then explain what it depends on).

Don't use phrases like "Certainly!" or "Absolutely!" or "Great question!"

Common Mistakes to Avoid

After helping others set up their custom instructions, I've noticed patterns:

Being Too Vague

Bad: "I want helpful responses" Good: "Provide step-by-step instructions with numbered lists"

Overloading With Information

You have 1,500 characters per box. Don't try to cover everything. Focus on what affects most of your conversations.

Conflicting Instructions

Problem: "Be concise" but also "Explain everything in detail" Fix: "Be concise by default. When I ask 'explain' or 'why', provide detailed explanations."

Forgetting to Update

Your needs change. I revisit my custom instructions every few months. What worked when you were learning might not work when you're more experienced.

Advanced Tips

Use Conditional Instructions

For coding questions: show working examples with comments
For writing help: focus on structure and flow over grammar
For research: cite sources when possible and note uncertainty

Reference Specific Tools

When discussing project management, assume I'm using Notion.
For code repositories, I use GitHub with conventional commits.
When suggesting AI tools, I prefer options that work offline.

Set Output Format Preferences

For comparisons: use tables when comparing 3+ items
For processes: use numbered steps
For definitions: bold the term, then define it

Testing Your Custom Instructions

After setting up, test with a few prompts:

1. Ask a question in your field - Does ChatGPT use appropriate terminology?
2. Request an explanation - Is the depth right for your level?
3. Ask for recommendations - Does the format match your preferences?
4. Notice the tone - Does it feel natural for you?

If something feels off, go back and adjust. Custom instructions aren't set-it-and-forget-it. They're a tool you refine over time.

Custom Instructions vs. Custom GPTs

You might wonder how this differs from creating a Custom GPT. Here's the distinction:

Custom Instructions: Apply globally to all your ChatGPT conversations. Good for personal preferences that don't change.

Custom GPTs: Separate bots with their own instructions and knowledge. Good for specific tasks like "My Blog Writing Assistant" or "Code Reviewer."

Many people use both - custom instructions for general preferences, and Custom GPTs for specialized workflows.

Real Impact on Daily Use

Since optimizing my custom instructions, I've noticed:

• 70% fewer follow-up prompts asking for different formats
• Faster responses because ChatGPT doesn't explain basics I already know
• Better code examples that match my actual tech stack
• Consistent tone across all conversations

The five minutes spent setting this up saves hours over time.

What's Next?

If you're getting value from custom instructions, you might also like:

• How to write better prompts for even more control
• ChatGPT for work to see professional applications
• ChatGPT privacy guide to understand what OpenAI does with your data

Custom instructions are just the beginning. Once you've got these dialed in, every ChatGPT conversation becomes more useful.