"I want to try ChatGPT but I don't know where to start. What's the first step?"
— Thomas R., Tampa FL
Thomas, getting started is simpler than you might expect! Open any web browser and go to chat.openai.com. You'll see a welcome page with options to sign up or log in. Click the sign-up button to create your account.
You can register using your email address, or sign in with an existing Google or Microsoft account for convenience. If you use email, you'll verify it by clicking a link sent to your inbox. The whole process takes just a minute or two!
— Pat
"Do I need to learn any special commands or computer language to use it?"
— Jean M., Tucson AZ
Not at all, Jean! That's the beautiful thing about ChatGPT. There's no special syntax to learn, no commands to memorize. Simply type what you want to say as if you were texting with a knowledgeable friend.
Try something simple to start: "What's a good recipe for banana bread?" Just press Enter, and within seconds, ChatGPT will respond with a complete recipe. You've just had your first AI conversation!
— Pat
"What kinds of things should I ask about first? I'm not sure what to try."
— Grace S., Sacramento CA
Grace, start with something you're genuinely curious about or need help with! Ask a question about a topic that interests you, request help drafting an email you've been putting off, or get suggestions for a meal with ingredients you have on hand.
Here's a tip: be specific about what you want. Instead of "Tell me about Paris," try "What are the best museums in Paris for someone interested in Impressionist painting?" The more context you provide, the more tailored and helpful the response!
— Pat
"More questions answered after this quick recommendation!"
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"What if ChatGPT gives me an answer I don't like or doesn't understand what I want?"
— William H., Edinburgh, UK
Great question, William! You can always ask follow-up questions or ask ChatGPT to try again differently. Say things like "Can you explain that more simply?" or "That's not quite what I meant — I was asking about..." or "Can you give me a shorter version?"
ChatGPT remembers the context of your conversation, so you can refine your request as you go. There's no penalty for asking it to try again, and it never gets frustrated or impatient!
— Pat
"Can I use ChatGPT on my phone, or only on a computer?"
— Dolores P., Fort Myers FL
Both, Dolores! The website works perfectly on your phone's browser. But even better — OpenAI offers free mobile apps for both iPhone and Android. Search for "ChatGPT" in your app store and look for the official app from OpenAI.
The mobile app even lets you speak to ChatGPT instead of typing, and it can speak its responses back to you. Very handy when typing on a small screen feels cumbersome!
— Pat