OpenAI is introducing a revamped way for users to personalize their interactions with ChatGPT, its AI-powered chatbot.
On Friday, OpenAI announced the rollout of an updated user interface for ChatGPT’s custom instructions menu, which now includes enhanced options for tailoring the chatbot’s traits. This feature is initially being launched on ChatGPT.com and the Windows desktop app, with plans to expand to the mobile and MacOS desktop apps in the coming weeks. However, it will not be immediately available to users in the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, or Switzerland, according to a tweet from OpenAI.
We’ve updated custom instructions to make it easier to customize how ChatGPT responds to you.
With the new UI, you can tell ChatGPT the traits you want it to have, how you want it to talk to you, and any rules you want it to follow. pic.twitter.com/BaXaqAw5cE
— OpenAI (@OpenAI) January 17, 2025
Some users on X recently noted changes to ChatGPT’s existing custom instructions menu on the web, which now includes new fields. These allow users to specify details such as a preferred name or nickname, their profession, additional information they’d like ChatGPT to know about them, and specific “traits” they’d like the chatbot to adopt. Suggested traits include options like “Chatty,” “Encouraging,” and “Gen Z.”
It’s important to note that this update is distinct from ChatGPT’s memory feature, which lets users explicitly request that the chatbot remember or forget certain information. While ChatGPT memories can include personal details, they also cover broader, conversation-relevant topics.
A message in the updated menu encourages users to “Introduce yourself to get better, more personalized responses.” However, these new options were not yet available to this reporter. TechCrunch has reached out to OpenAI for clarification and will update the story if additional details are provided.
The new interface seems to focus on improving user experience rather than introducing significant technical upgrades. The previous custom instructions feature leveraged prompt engineering to guide ChatGPT’s tone and style by “priming” the AI with user-provided instructions. The updated menu likely continues to rely on this method but presents it in a more intuitive format.
OpenAI has stated that it moderates custom instructions to ensure compliance with its terms of use, a policy that presumably remains unchanged with the new personalization settings.
As its user base continues to grow, OpenAI has been refining ChatGPT with new features, such as live web search and a “Canvas” interface for writing and coding tasks. The company reported in December that over 300 million people use the chatbot weekly.
