(Credit: OpenAI)
ChatGPT no longer requires an account to use, but there are still some benefits to having one.
"For anyone that has been curious about AI’s potential but didn’t want to go through the steps to set up an account, start using ChatGPT today," OpenAI says.
The login-free experience is rolling out "gradually" starting today. It aims to make "it easier for people to experience ChatGPT and the benefits of AI, which is core to our mission," an OpenAI spokesperson tells PCMag. It comes after a recent report from Pew Research found that a third of Americans have still never heard of ChatGPT.
Privacy-conscious users may also appreciate the ability to try ChatGPT without divulging the personal information OpenAI collects during account creation, such as the user's birthday, phone number, and email address. However, OpenAI notes that the company may still "use what you provide to ChatGPT to improve our models for everyone," but this can be turned off for those with and without an account.
When account-free users visit chat.openai.com, they will see the same chat interface as users with an account. However, they cannot see previous chats, share chats, access additional features like voice conversations and custom instructions, or upgrade to a $20/month Plus subscription. Those all require an account.
OpenAI also seems to be limiting the type of questions account-free users can ask. New "content safeguards" will block prompts in a "wide range of categories," though OpenAI did not provide examples of those prompts or categories. These restrictions are likely intended to push people to create an account and, ideally, sign up for the paid Plus subscription.