How to Find & Install Custom GPTs: A Complete Guide for ChatGPT Users

Custom GPTs represent one of the most powerful yet underutilized features of ChatGPT. Unlike the standard ChatGPT experience, these specialized AI systems are tailored for specific tasks and domains, providing focused expertise that can dramatically improve your productivity. This guide walks you through everything you need to know about finding, installing, and using custom GPTs across all your devices.

What Are GPTs and Why They Beat Standard ChatGPT

GPTs (not to be confused with the underlying GPT models) are customized versions of ChatGPT designed for specific purposes. Think of them as specialized AI assistants with particular skills, knowledge, and capabilities.

The main advantages of using custom GPTs include:

• Task specialization: Unlike regular ChatGPT, which is a generalist, custom GPTs are optimized for specific domains like cooking, coding, or creative writing.
• Streamlined workflows: They come pre-trained with knowledge and instructions relevant to their domain.
• Enhanced capabilities: Many custom GPTs have additional functions like web browsing, image generation, or data analysis specifically configured for their purpose.

TIP: Using a custom GPT is like having a professional chef's knife instead of a multi-tool. While the multi-tool can cut, the specialized knife does it more efficiently and with better results.

Custom GPTs can be created by OpenAI themselves, by companies, or by individual community members. This diversity means there's likely already a GPT designed for almost any task you can imagine.

How to Discover and Install GPTs from the GPT Store

The GPT Store is the central hub for finding specialized AI systems created both by OpenAI and the broader community. Here's how to navigate it effectively:

Accessing the GPT Store

1. Log in to your ChatGPT account in a web browser
2. Look at the left sidebar and locate "Explore GPTs" (or you may see some GPTs already listed)
3. Click on "Explore GPTs" to open the GPT Store

Browsing and Searching

The GPT Store organizes custom GPTs in several helpful ways:

• Featured: Highlighted GPTs selected by OpenAI
• Trending: Currently popular GPTs based on usage
• Categories: GPTs organized by domains like productivity, education, or entertainment
• Search: Use the search bar to find GPTs for specific topics

For example, searching for "cooking" will display numerous specialized cooking assistants with various approaches and capabilities.

Evaluating a GPT Before Installing

Before adding a custom GPT to your collection, you can review:

• Description: What the GPT is designed to do
• Ratings: How other users have rated it
• Usage stats: How many conversations people have had with it
• Example prompts: Suggested conversation starters
• Capabilities: What special features it has access to, such as:
  • Web browsing
  • Image generation
  • Code interpretation
  • Data analysis
  • External actions (API connections)

Example Capability Indicators:

🌐 - Web browsing enabled

🎨 - DALL-E image generation

💻 - Code interpreter

📊 - Data analysis tools

🔌 - External API connections

Installing a GPT

Installing a custom GPT is straightforward:

1. Click on the GPT you want to try
2. Review its details and capabilities
3. Click "Start Chat" to begin using it
4. To save it for future use, click "Keep in Sidebar"

TIP: If you find a GPT particularly useful, click "Keep in Sidebar" to add it to your favorites for quick access in future sessions.

Once installed, your chosen GPT will function just like regular ChatGPT but with its specialized capabilities and knowledge. You can start multiple chats with the same GPT by clicking "New Chat" when in a conversation with that GPT.

Using Custom GPTs on Mobile and via Direct Links

Accessing and Installing GPTs on Mobile

The mobile experience for using custom GPTs closely mirrors the desktop version:

1. Open the ChatGPT app on your smartphone
2. Tap the menu icon in the top-left corner
3. You'll see your installed GPTs and an "Explore GPTs" option
4. Tap "Explore GPTs" to access the GPT Store

Any GPTs you've added on desktop will automatically sync to your mobile app, and vice versa, making for a seamless experience across devices.

TIP: Installing GPTs on mobile is particularly useful for specialized tasks you might need on the go, like a travel assistant or recipe finder.

Installing GPTs via Direct Links

Many creators share their custom GPTs directly through links rather than publishing them in the store. This allows for:

• Sharing specialized AI systems with specific communities
• Testing GPTs before wider release
• Offering exclusive GPTs to subscribers or community members

To install a GPT from a direct link:

1. Click on the shared link from any source (text message, email, website, etc.)
2. If you're already signed into ChatGPT, the link will automatically open in your browser
3. Review the GPT's details and click "Start Chat" to begin using it
4. Click "Keep in Sidebar" if you want to save it for future use

Direct links work the same way on both desktop and mobile, providing easy access to specialized GPTs without having to search through the store.

Next Steps

Now that you understand how to find and install custom GPTs, you're ready to supercharge your ChatGPT experience with specialized AI systems tailored to your needs. Consider exploring:

1. Popular GPTs in your field: Whether you're a developer, marketer, student, or creative professional, there are likely custom GPTs designed specifically for your work.
2. Productivity-focused GPTs: Look for tools that can help organize thoughts, summarize content, or manage projects more efficiently.
3. Learning to create your own GPTs: For truly customized experiences, you might want to create your own specialized AI systems.

For more advanced tutorials on creating and optimizing custom GPTs, visit Espo.ai's resource center where we offer comprehensive guides on building effective AI tools tailored to your specific requirements.

By incorporating these specialized GPT tools into your workflow, you'll unlock new levels of productivity and insight that simply aren't possible with standard ChatGPT alone.