Introduction

ChatGPT-5 is smarter and faster, but it struggles with vague prompts. Here are 4 ways to get better, clearer answers every time.

The problem it solves

Most users don’t get great results from ChatGPT-5 because their prompts are too vague. The model now routes queries through different “mini” or “main” brains depending on how detailed your input is. Knowing how to guide it makes all the difference.

Quick Summary

ChatGPT-5 can now switch between smaller and larger models to save speed and cost. That means if your prompt is unclear, it may use a lighter version that gives generic results. The fix? Add trigger phrases like “Think hard about this” to force ChatGPT to use its deeper reasoning mode. You’ll know it worked if you see a “Thinking for XXs” note in the response.

You can also control how much it writes by being precise about length and audience, like saying “aim for 3 sentences for executives” or “write 500 words.” It now follows word count instructions almost perfectly.

Another trick is using OpenAI’s prompt optimizer tool. It turns messy instructions into clean, structured prompts by adding sections like “Role,” “Objective,” and “Reasoning.” Finally, switching your prompt format from markdown to XML gives even better structure and clarity. XML tags like <Context> or <Instructions> help the model understand your intent and organize the output logically.

Key Takeaways

• ChatGPT-5 uses multiple internal models, so your prompt determines which one runs.
• Adding “Think hard about this” triggers the advanced reasoning model.
• Be explicit with output length and audience for more control.
• OpenAI’s prompt optimizer cleans and improves your instructions.
• XML beats markdown for structured, reliable results.

What to do

• Add “Think hard about this” or “Think deeply about this” to serious prompts.
• Specify output length and audience every time.
• Use the OpenAI prompt optimizer tool: platform.openai.com/chat/edit?models=gpt-5&optimize=true
• Format complex prompts in XML for better structure.
• Watch for “Thinking for XXs” to confirm the advanced model was used.

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