Custom instructions help you get better results from ChatGPT. They let you shape how the AI responds, so it sounds more like you—or fits your brand voice. If you’re in digital marketing or work with AI tools often, knowing how to use these instructions makes a big difference.
This guide explains what custom instructions are, how they work, and how you can use them to improve content, save time, and get more accurate results.
What Are ChatGPT Custom Instructions?
ChatGPT’s custom instructions are settings you can fill out to give the AI more context. You tell it what you want it to know about you, and how you want it to respond. The tool then uses that information to shape its replies.
It’s not the same as training a model. You’re not feeding it data or teaching it. You’re just guiding the tone, style, or preferences of its answers.
There are two main parts:
- What would you like ChatGPT to know about you?
- How would you like ChatGPT to respond?
Each box can handle a few short paragraphs. The more focused and specific you are, the better.
Why This Matters for AI and Marketing Work
If you’re in digital marketing, you know that clarity, voice, and tone matter. You don’t want content that sounds robotic, vague, or full of fluff. Custom instructions give you control.
They help in areas like:
- Writing social media posts that sound like your brand
- Generating blog content with your preferred tone
- Drafting emails that match your communication style
- Creating landing page copy that feels natural, not forced
- Avoiding repetitive or AI-sounding phrasing
The goal is to reduce editing time and get more usable content, faster.
A Real Example: Clean, Human Writing Style
Here’s an example of clear, useful custom instructions used by a digital marketer:
What ChatGPT should know:
“I’m a professional content writer. I want content to be written clearly, naturally, and in a human tone. The writing should be direct, simple, and concise.”
How ChatGPT should respond:
“Follow these rules:
– Be clear.
– Use plain, simple language.
– Cut out filler and hype.
– Vary sentence length.
– Use a natural tone.
– Write in active voice.
– Speak directly to the reader using ‘you’ and ‘your’.
– Avoid jargon, clichés, or repetition.”
This setup helps generate blog posts, web copy, and SEO content that’s ready to use.
How to Set Up Your Own Custom Instructions
To use this feature in ChatGPT:
- Go to the ChatGPT app or website.
- Open your settings (under your name or profile picture).
- Click on “Custom instructions.”
- Fill in both boxes with clear, specific guidelines.
- Save your settings.
The AI will now respond with those rules in mind.
You can update or change these instructions any time.
Best Practices When Writing Instructions
The way you phrase your custom instructions matters. Vague or general prompts won’t help much. Here are a few tips:
Be Specific
Don’t say, “Write in a professional tone.” Say what that looks like. For example: “Use short sentences. Be direct. Avoid filler.”
Set Clear Boundaries
If you don’t want hype or exaggerated language, say so. For example: “Avoid phrases like ‘game-changing’ or ‘revolutionary.’”
Define the Audience
Mention who the content is for. If your audience is small business owners, say that. If it’s developers, say that.
State the Use Case
Let the AI know how you’ll use the output. For blog articles? Email copy? Social media? This helps it shape the tone and structure.
For Digital Marketers: Use These Custom Instructions
If you want to write content for digital marketing tasks, here’s a ready-made template you can use:
What should ChatGPT know?
“I work in digital marketing. I write blog posts, ads, emails, and social content. My tone is clear, direct, and professional. I avoid fluff and hype. I value simple language and natural flow.”
How should it respond?
“Write in a human tone. Keep sentences short and to the point. Avoid buzzwords. Use active voice. Mix sentence lengths. Speak to the reader using ‘you’ and ‘your.’ Be factual, not promotional. Don’t exaggerate.”
This setup works well for SEO content too—just add a note to follow proper structure, headers, and include internal and external links.
SEO Tip: Pair Custom Instructions with Structured Prompts
Even with good custom instructions, the prompt you write still matters. If you’re asking for a blog article, include:
- The topic
- Target word count
- Subheadings you want
- Tone or voice reminders
- Any required sources or stats
Example Prompt:
“Write a 1,500-word blog article on how to use ChatGPT custom instructions. Include 4–6 H2 sections and 1–2 H3s under each. Use a clear, factual tone. Speak directly to marketers. Add relevant 2024–2025 trends and 1–2 expert quotes.”
This works better than a vague “Write an article about ChatGPT.”
Personalization with AI Is Rising
According to a 2024 Gartner report, 61% of marketers now use AI tools for content creation. But many still struggle to get the tone and structure right. That’s where custom instructions come in.
In 2025, tools like ChatGPT will continue shifting toward more personalized, context-aware outputs. This means your instructions—and how you use them—will matter more than ever.
“Custom instructions give non-technical users an easy way to personalize AI results without coding or plugins,” says Angela Morris, an AI consultant at FutureCopy.
This is especially useful for small teams who don’t have time for multiple revisions.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Custom instructions are simple to use, but a few common mistakes can make them less effective:
- Too much detail: Don’t overload the AI with long essays. Keep it focused.
- Conflicting rules: If you say “use formal tone” but also “sound casual,” the output will be confused.
- Being vague: “Sound more natural” isn’t helpful unless you explain what that means.
Write like you’re giving instructions to a freelancer. Be clear, not clever.
Use Cases Beyond Writing
Custom instructions aren’t just for content. You can use them to guide:
- Coding help: “I’m a beginner—explain things step by step.”
- Data analysis: “Focus on marketing KPIs, not general stats.”
- Customer support responses: “Use a calm, helpful tone with short responses.”
- Research summaries: “Summarize key points in plain English for a non-technical audience.”
If you’re using ChatGPT across different departments or clients, you can switch up the instructions for each.
FAQ
Can I save multiple custom instruction profiles?
No, not yet. You can only have one set active at a time. But you can copy/paste templates when needed.
Do instructions apply across all chats?
Yes, once set, they apply to all chats in that session—until you change them.
Is this available in free and paid plans?
Yes, but some personalization features are more advanced in GPT-4 under the Plus plan.
Can I use it to match brand voice?
Yes. Just explain your brand voice clearly in the instructions.
What’s the difference between custom instructions and memory?
Custom instructions are manual. Memory is automatic (and rolling out slowly). Both personalize replies, but memory is long-term.
Custom instructions are one of the easiest ways to make ChatGPT more useful. They save time, reduce editing, and help you get content that fits your tone and needs. Whether you write blogs, ads, or emails—or do research or planning—clear instructions can help you work faster and better. Start simple. Edit as you go. And remember: the AI will only be as clear as you are.