What Are Custom GPTs?
The world of AI is buzzing with excitement as OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, has introduced a groundbreaking feature called custom GPTs. This new capability allows ChatGPT Plus members to create their own personalized versions of ChatGPT by combining specific instructions, extra knowledge, and various skills.
Custom GPTs give you the power to tailor ChatGPT for specific purposes with precise instructions and even your own datasets. What makes this feature particularly appealing is its flexibility – you can keep your custom GPT private for personal use, share it with select team members, or make it public for the broader community to use.
GPT Store & Community Revenue Sharing
OpenAI is taking this innovation a step further by planning to launch a GPT Store, creating a revenue-sharing program with creators. When you make your custom GPT public and users find value in your model, you could potentially earn money based on usage.
As OpenAI stated in their announcement: “Starting today, you can create and share them publicly. Later this month, we are launching the GPT store featuring creations… We will also launch a revenue program based on how many people are using your GPT.”
This community-driven approach recognizes that the most powerful GPT innovations will come from users sharing their knowledge and expertise through custom models.
How to Create Your Own Custom GPT
The beauty of creating custom GPTs is that it doesn’t require any coding skills. OpenAI has designed the process to use natural language, making it accessible to everyone. Here’s how to get started:
Step 1: Access the GPT Builder
First, it’s important to note that this feature is only available for ChatGPT Plus members. Free users will need to upgrade to access these capabilities.
- Log into your ChatGPT Plus account
- Click on “Explore” in the sidebar
- Click on “Create a GPT” (marked as beta)
Step 2: Describe Your Custom GPT’s Purpose
When you enter the GPT Builder interface, you’ll interact with a bot that helps guide your creation process. Simply describe what you want your custom GPT to do in plain language.
For example, you might say something like: “Make a GPT that gives SEO outlines for blog posts.”
The GPT Builder will understand your request and start outlining what your custom assistant will do. In this example, it would create a GPT specialized in crafting SEO-friendly outlines to enhance the visibility and engagement of blog content.
Step 3: Name Your GPT
Next, you’ll need to give your custom GPT a name. You can:
- Create your own name
- Select from suggestions provided by GPT Builder
- Ask for more naming suggestions
The GPT Builder will automatically generate a profile picture for your custom GPT using DALL-E, OpenAI’s image generation technology. You can keep the suggested image or request a new one.
Step 4: Provide Specific Instructions
This is where the real customization happens. You’ll provide detailed instructions for how your GPT should operate. For example, if creating an SEO content outline expert, you might specify:
- Include target primary keywords in titles
- Create structured subheadings for main sections
- Incorporate related keywords in subheadings
- Understand search intent of target keywords
- Structure content logically
- End outlines with conclusions
- Include LSI keywords
- Use concise titles and subheadings
These instructions shape how your custom GPT will behave and what kind of outputs it will generate.
Step 5: Define Communication Style
You can also specify how your GPT should communicate. Should it be formal or conversational? Should it provide explanations for its suggestions? This helps tailor the experience to match your preferences or your intended audience’s expectations.
Step 6: Configure Advanced Settings
Click on the “Configure” tab to access additional settings:
- Description: Add a description for your GPT
- Instructions: Review and modify the automatically generated instructions
- Conversation starters: Suggest initial prompts for users
- Capabilities: Enable web browsing, image generation, or other features
- Actions: Connect your GPT to external services through APIs (requires technical setup)
- Knowledge: Upload your own files (PDFs, CSVs, etc.) to give your GPT specific information to work with
Step 7: Save and Share Your GPT
When you click the “Save” button, you’ll have three sharing options:
- Only me: Keep the GPT private for your personal use
- Only people with a link: Share with specific individuals or teams
- Public: Make available to all ChatGPT Plus users
If you choose “Public,” your GPT will eventually be listed in the GPT Store when it launches, potentially allowing you to earn revenue if your creation becomes popular.
Testing Your Custom GPT
After creating your custom GPT, you can immediately start using it. The GPT will follow all the rules, instructions, and utilize any datasets you’ve provided.
For example, if you’ve created an “SEO Content Outline Expert” GPT, you can simply provide a keyword like “Black Friday marketing strategy,” and it will automatically generate a comprehensive, SEO-optimized outline including:
- A blog title incorporating the primary keyword
- A logical introduction section
- Main headings (H2) with relevant subheadings
- LSI keywords throughout the structure
- A conclusion section
The GPT follows all your specific instructions without needing to be prompted each time, creating consistent, tailored results for your specific use case.
Advanced Features for Custom GPTs
Beyond basic instructions, custom GPTs can incorporate several advanced features:
- Knowledge Base: Upload PDFs, CSVs, or other files to give your GPT specific information
- Web Browsing: Allow your GPT to search for and reference current information
- Image Generation: Enable DALL-E integration for creating images
- API Connections: Connect to external services through OpenAI’s schema (requires technical setup)
- Custom Domains: Add your website URL to your builder profile by verifying domain ownership
Endless Possibilities for Custom GPTs
The potential use cases for custom GPTs are virtually limitless:
- Industry-specific advisors with specialized knowledge
- Content creation assistants tailored to your brand voice
- Research tools focused on particular academic fields
- Custom teaching assistants for specific subjects
- Personal productivity tools matching your workflow
- Business tools integrated with your company data
Conclusion
Custom GPTs represent a significant evolution in how we interact with AI. By allowing users to create specialized versions of ChatGPT without coding, OpenAI has democratized AI customization and created opportunities for creators to share their expertise while potentially earning revenue.
As the GPT Store launches and the ecosystem evolves, we can expect to see an explosion of innovative custom GPTs serving specialized needs across industries and use cases. Whether you’re creating GPTs for personal use, team productivity, or public sharing, the process is accessible and powerful.
The future of AI isn’t just about what large companies build—it’s about what individuals and communities create with these powerful tools. Custom GPTs put that creative potential in everyone’s hands.
