What it does
An agentic mode: instead of a list of links, ChatGPT plans the research itself, works through dozens of sources, weighs and cross-checks them and delivers a structured report with citations. It runs for 5-30 minutes — this is the "deep research skill" you switch on for a serious question. The report exports to Markdown, Word, PDF.
How to set it up
- In ChatGPT, open the tools menu (the "+" icon) → pick Deep research.
- Write a detailed request (topic, goal, time frame, the nuances that matter); you can attach files. ChatGPT shows you a plan first — you can adjust it.
- Available on paid plans (Plus and up; limits depend on the tier).
When to use it
- ✅ You need a market or competitor overview, due diligence, a technology comparison with sources — like having a junior analyst.
- ✅ You're willing to wait for depth and verifiable links.
- ❌ A quick fact — plain web search; a deep multi-source breakdown — that's this.
Example
"Give me an overview of the AI note-taker market for 2025-2026: players, pricing, differences, trends — with sources" — in roughly 10-20 minutes you get a multi-page report with links, ready to export to Word.