Deep Research allows ChatGPT to conduct structured, multi-step investigations across the web, or within your connected tools. Deep Research synthesizes information from multiple sources into a single, coherent output. It is designed for questions that require depth, comparison, and reasoning, as opposed to a quick lookup.
How to use deep research
- To use deep research, you must turn on the tool and select the sources which you want deep research to search in.
- If you select a connector as a Deep Research source, ChatGPT will search and synthesize information directly from that connected system (such as internal documents, tools, or approved data sources), ensuring the research is grounded in the exact environments and knowledge bases you specify rather than the open web alone.
2. You can also use deep research by prompting ChatGPT to “use deep research,” and specify the sources in the “information” section of your prompt.
Prompting Best Practices
1. Start with a clear research objective. Provide context by stating what you are trying to understand or decide; not just the topic.
Example: “Conduct deep research to help me decide whether AI copilots or workflow automations are the better investment for a 50-person professional services firm."
2. Define scope and boundaries explicitly. Clarify time range, geography, industries, or exclusions to prevent drift.
Example: “Focus on sources from 2023–2025, prioritize North American companies, and exclude purely academic papers."
3. Specify the output format - deep research will return a lot of information if unguided.
Example: “Summarize findings in a comparison table, followed by a short executive brief with risks, tradeoffs, and a recommendation.”
Best-Fit Use Cases
- Market or competitive analysis
- Policy or regulatory research
- Strategic decision support
Technical Details
Source Handling
Sources are cited after each statement in the Deep Research response. Just hover over the citation to view the location from which the information was gathered. This allows you to verify reputability of the source, and verify that the information is correct.
Deep Research Limitations
Deep Research currently cannot be used within a customGPT or in a scheduled action.
