OpenAI is beta testing group chat and direct messaging features in ChatGPT to improve collaboration and social interaction.
- Group chats & direct messages: ChatGPT is testing a social-chat style interface where you can start group chats with invite links, or send direct messages.
- Real-time messaging flow: ChatGPT’s message system is getting more instantaneous, better conversational flow, and richer interactions (e.g., reacting to a message, seeing someone typing, uploading files).
Some specifics:
- In a group chat, you can generate a link for others to join.
- Personal and group chats have separate custom instructions (so group chat behaviour can differ from your personal chat persona).
- The “message features” are still in beta/test — not yet full roll-out.
🧭 Why This Matters
- It shifts ChatGPT from a one-to-one assistant model into more of a collaboration platform — you and others can chat, upload files, brainstorm together, with ChatGPT included.
- Makes it more social/interactive: rather than “you ask ChatGPT” it’s “you + others + ChatGPT” in a shared space.
- Opens up new use-cases: team planning, group study, project chats, shared document uploads with discussion, etc.
- For India (and globally): this means more ways to use ChatGPT in groups (workgroups, school groups, hobby groups) — might be very useful.
🔍 How to Try It / What to Watch
- Since it’s beta, availability may be limited (region, user type, subscription tier).
- Look for features like a “Start a group chat” button in the ChatGPT web app.
- Check settings: group chat custom instructions, file uploads, link invites.
- Decide privacy: group chats may behave differently (e.g., your personal memory may not be used in group chats) — one source says “your personal ChatGPT memory is never used in group chats”. The Indian Express
- Be mindful of message limits and performance: beta features sometimes come with constraints. For example, ChatGPT has introduced message caps in recent updates.
⚠️ Things to Consider & Limitations
- Privacy & security: With group chats and invite links, you need to know who’s in your chat and what permissions they have.
- Memory & custom instructions: Group chat behaviour may differ from your personal chat settings (so your assistant persona may act differently).
- Feature completeness: Some functions (like end-to-end encryption, full file sharing, advanced reactions) may not yet be fully implemented or rolled out.
- Availability: These features are still in testing, so they may change, be delayed, or be limited by region or platform (web vs mobile).
- Stability: As beta features, expect bugs, changes in interface, or modifications based on feedback.
