I created this video to show how to use ChatGPT for advanced research, not just for quick answers — but for layered, nuanced, and custom information that goes far beyond what you’d get from Google alone.
When most people think of ChatGPT, they imagine basic prompts or quick summaries. But with the right approach, you can use it like a virtual research assistant — gathering, comparing, and synthesizing ideas in ways that even traditional search engines can’t match.
Here’s how I do it.
Step 1: Define your objective clearly
Start by writing down what you’re actually trying to learn or understand. Not just “What is SEO?” but something like:
“Compare on-page SEO practices between Shopify and WordPress in 2024, focusing on speed, plugins, and control.”
Giving ChatGPT a defined scope forces clarity, which improves the results dramatically.
Step 2: Break down the request
Instead of asking one massive question, break it into layers. I’ll often start with:
- “Give me the top five ranking factors for Shopify SEO”
- “Now do the same for WordPress”
- “Compare their strengths and weaknesses”
- “Suggest three tools specific to each platform”
Each step refines the response and lets you build insight instead of settling for surface-level answers.
Step 3: Ask for formatting
If you’re building content from your research, ask ChatGPT to give you:
- Bullet points
- Pros/cons tables
- Comparison charts
- SEO-optimized outlines
In the video, I show how I built a content brief using ChatGPT to gather trends, stats, subtopics, and YouTube ideas — all from one seed topic.
Step 4: Ask follow-up and contrarian questions
Once ChatGPT gives you an answer, go deeper:
- “What’s an argument against this approach?”
- “What do critics say about this tool?”
- “How would this advice change in a recession?”
These questions often surface ideas you’d never see on page one of Google.
Do you use ChatGPT as a research companion yet — or just for occasional summaries?