Did you know that your favourite AI starts every new chat with a surprisingly short memory? Unless you set up personal instructions and memory features, tools like ChatGPT and Gemini know almost nothing about you when you fire up a fresh conversation. That means repeating your job, your preferences and the way you like info presented every single time.
The good news is that it only takes a few minutes to change that. By personalising your AI, you can turn it from a general chatbot into a handy assistant that’s way more in tune with whatever you need.
Why context is everything.
Think of AI as a very smart helper, but one that’s only just started working with you. If it knows nothing about you, it can only give broad answers. It doesn’t know if you’re a student, a business owner or someone planning a holiday. It also has no idea whether you prefer short bullet points or in-depth, detailed explanations. Let’s change that.
Adding some context solves this problem. The more useful background detail you can feed into the AI, the more relevant the answers will be. Instead of getting generic replies, you get responses that actually match what you’re looking for. It’s one of the easiest – and quickest – ways to bump up the quality of any AI chat.
When memory features are enabled, AI becomes a lot more useful. Rather than acting like a basic search engine, it’ll remember important details and then use them in future chatting. Smart, right?
Mastering ChatGPT custom instructions and memory.
ChatGPT comes with a whole load of powerful personalisation tools. Head to ‘Settings’ and then ‘Personalisation’ to find ‘Custom Instructions’. This section lets you tell ChatGPT how you want it to respond and what it should know about you.
For example, you might tell it that you work in marketing. And that you live in the UK and prefer concise answers. You could also ask it to use British English, explain technical terms or present any information with clear headings. It’s entirely up to you.
Chat GPT also includes a ‘Memory’ feature. When it’s switched on, it’ll remember facts from your previous conversations. That could be your job title. Or maybe your favourite hobbies. Whatever it is, it’ll make future chats feel a lot more relevant.
It’s worth checking the ‘Manage Memory’ section regularly. You can review what the AI remembers and delete any outdated stuff that’s not relevant anymore.
Setting up Gemini instructions and memory.
Google Gemini has similar tools for customising it. In the ‘Personal Context’ area, you can play about with ‘Instructions’ and ‘Memory’ settings.
‘Instructions’ let you create rules for every conversation. You might ask Gemini to start with a quick summary. Then suggest that any responses should be kept under a certain length too.
‘Memory’ takes things a step further. When it’s turned on, Gemini can learn from past conversations and use those details to improve any future responses. So, if you like to ask for recipe ideas, or need some epic travel suggestions, Gemini can gradually tailor its help to suit you.
Like with any memory feature, it’s a good idea to check and manage any saved info. Doing this every now and then makes sure everything stays accurate and actually useful to you.
The best custom instructions to add .
Not sure where to start? Here are some snappy instructions that will instantly improve your AI conversations…
For formatting:
- Always use bullet points for lists.
- Never shorten code snippets.
- Bold key takeaways at the end of long answers.
For tone and style:
- Always use British English spelling.
- Avoid corporate jargon.
- Write in a clear and friendly tone.
- Never use emojis.
For interaction:
- Ask clarifying questions before making assumptions.
- Highlight any gaps in the information provided.
- Act as a critical collaborator rather than a supportive assistant.
For personal background:
- I am a beginner, so explain technical terms simply.
- I run a UK small business, so keep advice relevant to UK rules and practices.
- I prefer practical examples over theory.
Another helpful tip is making specific instructions for the tasks you do the most. If you write a lot of emails or always plan your weekly workout, tell the AI upfront. Consistent guidance helps it pump out better results with a lot less effort.
These little instructions might seem pretty simple. And yes, in theory they are. But they can dramatically improve the quality of the results you get back. Try a few of them out and see how you get on.
What’s the most useful instruction you’ve given your AI? Let us know in the comments below!
