Maria Diaz
You signed up for ChatGPT Plus to get more out of the artifical intelligence (AI) chatbot, but what's next? Advanced Data Analysis, image generation with DALL-E 3, Plugins, Browse with Bing -- learning how to use these tools can be a daunting prospect. We'll walk you through how to get started using all the benefits of a Plus subscription.
Also: How to use ChatGPT
After using ChatGPT daily for a few months, I took the leap to upgrade to a ChatGPT Plus subscription. The upgrade sets me back $20 a month, but since I use it multiple times a day for work and many, many other things, it was worth it.
How to use ChatGPT Plus
ChatGPT Plus is easy to use and OpenAI has made it even easier by combining many tools into GPT-4. To use ChatGPT Plus, you'll need a Plus subscription. To upgrade to ChatGPT Plus, you can log in to your OpenAI account and click on Upgrade on the lower left corner of the screen.
Also: GPT-3.5 vs GPT-4: Is ChatGPT Plus worth its subscription fee?
Navigate the table of contents on the left of this page if you're looking for a specific feature.
Using GPT-4: Web browsing, DALL-E 3, and data analysis
A ChatGPT Plus subscription gives you access to GPT-4, which is the same model powering Microsoft's Bing AI. GPT-4 is OpenAI's most capable model yet and is also the largest large language model (LLM) to be widely available. OpenAI recently combined many of GPT-4's features into one model, so any time Plus users select GPT-4, they have access to image and data analysis, web browsing, and image generation powered by DALL-E 3.
1. Log in to ChatGPT
Once you upgrade to ChatGPT Plus, log in to your OpenAI account as usual.
2. Select GPT-4
Click on the top left to switch between models from the default GPT-3.5 to GPT-4 on the ChatGPT window.
The ChatGPT Plus window will look slightly different than free ChatGPT. You'll see a dropdown at the top left where you can choose GPT-3.5, the model behind the free version of the AI chatbot, GPT-4 with browsing, DALL-E, and analysis, or Plugins. GPT-3.5 is fast, but GPT-4 is more thorough and accurate.
3. Start asking GPT-4 questions
Now, start asking away. You can try different prompts to test how GPT-4 performs versus GPT-3.5, take advantage of the more capable model to write code, or give it some text to summarize for you.
GPT-4: Attaching images and files
ChatGPT Plus can process images and files on all platforms: web, iOS, and Android. ChatGPT Plus' Code Interpreter has been renamed to Advanced Data Analysis, which is an OpenAI plugin that lets users upload files to create and interpret code, analyze data, and more. Image and file analysis is now folded into GPT-4 and available for Plus subscribers.
1. Select GPT-4
Image and file upload is only available within GPT-4, so you must select this model to upload.
2. Click on the attachment icon
Click or tap on the attachment icon (the paperclip) within the text area.
3. Choose an image or file
Choose your image or file to upload.
4. Tell ChatGPT what you want from the file
When you add your image or file, you can also tell ChatGPT what you want to do with it. You can ask GPT-4 to transcribe, describe, or tell you something about the images you upload.
If you're uploading a file, you can ask the AI chatbot to give you a summary of it, to give you the biggest takeaways in bullet points, or to highlight what's most important to your specific subject.
I uploaded an older ChatGPT Plus screenshot and simply asked GPT-4 to 'tell me about this image'.
Screenshot by Maria DiazGPT-4: Image generation with DALL-E 3
ChatGPT Plus subscribers can ask the bot to create images at any time while using GPT-4 -- there's no need to enable the AI image generator.
Also: DALL-E 3 in ChatGPT Plus is helpful but also gave me images of laptops from 1900
1. While using GPT-4, enter your prompt for an image
Give GPT-4 a prompt to create the images you want. You can say something like, "Create an image of a starburst in front of a rainbow-colored galaxy background", or "Create a photo of a red octopus riding a blue cruiser bicycle along the California shoreline."
Also: More fun with DALL-E 3 in ChatGPT: Can it design a T-shirt?
Try to be as clear and descriptive as possible with your prompt. The more detailed you are, the better the results.
Giving DALL-E 3 prompts works just like chatting with ChatGPT. Just enter your prompt and send.
Screenshot by Maria Diaz2. Download your image
Click on your image to download it. You can download the image or have GPT-4 create another one using your prompt. To regenerate an image, click on the refresh icon below the image created by DALL-E 3.
GPT-4 generated this image with the prompt, "Create a photo of a red octopus riding a blue cruiser bicycle along the California shoreline." The hat was a nice touch.
Screenshot by Maria DiazMy GPTs
One of the biggest upgrades ChatGPT has made to its Plus subscription is the ability to create custom GPT bots, dubbed My GPTs -- the feature was so overwhelmingly popular that it forced OpenAI to temporarily halt new subscriptions.
You can learn how to create your own custom GPT-4 bots here, but we'll show you how to access this feature with your Plus subscription.
1. Click on your name to access My GPTs
Click on your name on the lower-left corner of the ChatGPT window to access your account. Then click on My GPTs from the menu.
2. Create a GPT or browse options
You can now create your custom GPT bot or browse for different options that are available to use.
OpenAI originally announced during its DevDay event that it would create an 'app store-like' experience to browse custom GPTs. For now, you can easily browse through OpenAI's custom GPTs or access them organically with a link. There's no word on when custom GPTs will be available to search within ChatGPT.
You can create your own GPT, look through the recent ones you've used, or browse OpenAI's creations.
Screenshot by Maria DiazUsing Plugins
Plugins are widely available for ChatGPT Plus users and are the single best way to get the most out of a ChatGPT Plus subscription. Here's how to turn them on and find them.
1. Enable Plugins
Go to your Settings and enable Plugins under Beta features.
Enable the Plugins in your ChatGPT settings.
Screenshot by Maria Diaz2. Click on GPT-4
Go to GPT-4 at the top left of the chat window, and select Plugins from the dropdown menu.
3. Search or browse for plugins
Click in the middle of your screen, where it says "No plugins installed", to access the Plugins store.
You can access the Plugins store and browse for tools.
Screenshot by Maria Diaz4. Use the ChatGPT Plugins
Plugins are like extra abilities within ChatGPT, giving you access to more than just content creation. Plugins let you browse the web, summarize PDFs, and even make travel plans and reservations.
's best guides on ChatGPT Plugins:
- How to access, install, and use AI ChatGPT-4 plugins (and why you should)
- The 10 best ChatGPT plugins of 2023
- My two favorite ChatGPT Plus plugins and the remarkable things I can do with them
- Extending ChatGPT: Can AI chatbot plugins really change the game?
- ChatGPT's new web browsing feature is a big disappointment. Use this plugin instead
Voice chatting with ChatGPT
ChatGPT can now also process voice inputs and it can respond back in a shockingly natural manner. The voice feature is only available for iOS and Android users with a Plus subscription for now.
1. Go to ChatGPT's mobile app
Open the ChatGPT mobile app to use the voice feature. It works on iOS and Android, although you do have to allow ChatGPT to access your microphone in phone settings.
2. Tap on the headset icon
There is a headset at the top of the window, which you can tap on to begin talking to the voice feature of ChatGPT.
3. Start talking
Begin your conversation with ChatGPT's voice version. All you need to do is start speaking, and ChatGPT will respond when it hears a pause in your speech.
4. Listen for ChatGPT's response
ChatGPT's voice is powered by Whisper, another OpenAI project, and is available in five different voices: Cove, Juniper, Sky, Breeze, and Ember. To change your app's voice, go to your settings and choose Voice under Speech.
ChatGPT will respond to you when there's a gap in speech.
Screenshot by Maria DiazFAQ
When did OpenAI release an all-in-one GPT-4 experience?
OpenAI, maker of ChatGPT, released an all-in-one experience for ChatGPT Plus users, which automatically switches tools for them, after its DevDay developers conference.
Also: Can ChatGPT predict the future? Training AI to figure out what happens next
This experiences means subscribers can now access DALL-E 3, Browse with Bing, and use Advanced Data Analysis by just selecting GPT-4, without having to switch between each tool before sending a prompt.
What is included in ChatGPT Plus?
A ChatGPT Plus subscription gives you access to the features detailed above and priority access to new releases. Plus is different from a ChatGPT Enterprise subscription, which is a new service for businesses.
Also: The moment I realized ChatGPT Plus was a game-changer for my business
Here's a breakdown of the different features for each tier:
Comparison
| Features | ChatGPT | ChatGPT Plus | ChatGPT Enterprise |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free | $20/month | Depends on org size |
| Acess to GPT-3.5 | |||
| Access to GPT-4 | - | ||
| Limits | Depends on peak times | Unlimited GPT-3.5 50 messages per three hours for GPT-4 | Unlimited |
| Internet browsing | - | ||
| Plugins | - | ||
| Custom Instructions | |||
| Code Interpreter | - | ||
| Voice feature | - | ||
| Image processing | - | ||
| 32k-token context | - | - | |
| Chat templates | - | - | |
| Admin console | - | - | |
| API credits | - | - |
What are Custom Instructions?
Custom Instructions are a way to tailor ChatGPT's responses to your preferences. You can add instructions to your account that will determine how the AI chatbot will respond to each of your prompts.
Also: 6 helpful ways to use ChatGPT's Custom Instructions
For example, I prefer getting my summaries in bullet points, highlighting the most important information, so I added this to my Custom Instructions. Each time ChatGPT responds to me with explanations or summaries, it does so in bullet points.
Custom Instructions originally launched as a feature that's exclusive to ChatGPT Plus subscribers, but the capability is now rolling out to all free users.
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