Six ChatGPT settings worth changing for better privacy and smarter replies

Six ChatGPT settings worth changing for better privacy and smarter replies

ChatGPT works best when it understands who you are and what you need. Under “Settings” → “Personalization,” turn on Enable customization and add a few details — like your role, work focus, or tools you use. This context helps it tailor advice or tone, whether you’re drafting emails, analysing data, or brainstorming content. You can also include personal tidbits if you want recommendations suited to your family or hobbies.

Tell it how to talk to you

You can set specific interaction preferences in Custom instructions. For instance: “Keep replies under 50 words” or “Use bullet points by default.” You can even define how it behaves in certain situations — like prompting you with questions during brainstorming instead of producing drafts. It won’t be perfect every time, but it will save you from repeating the same requests across chats.

Limit what you share

By default, your conversations may help train future AI models. If you’d rather not share, go to Settings → Data controls and turn off “Improve the model for everyone.” This keeps your chats out of OpenAI’s training data — an easy privacy win, especially for sensitive or work-related topics.

Manage what it remembers

ChatGPT can retain context from earlier chats through its Memory feature. That’s useful if you want it to remember ongoing projects — but it can also cling to outdated info. You can view or delete stored details under Settings → Personalization → Manage memories. Clearing old ones occasionally keeps it accurate and relevant.

Adjust how it looks and sounds

Aesthetics matter. Under Settings → General, switch between light and dark mode, and pick an accent colour that makes the chat easier on your eyes. If you use voice mode, explore different voices — but note that ChatGPT tends to follow written instructions more reliably in standard (non-advanced) mode.

Pick your model

Paid users can select specific GPT versions. GPT-5 is powerful but slower; legacy models like GPT-4o respond faster and sometimes feel more conversational. Try both — you might prefer one for research and another for quick replies.

Tweaking these small settings every few months can make a big difference. You’ll get a more personal, focused ChatGPT that knows what you expect, but not more than you want it to remember.