Mike van Riel

Using Google Chrome’s Omnibar to Directly Prompt ChatGPT

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Mike van Riel
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In recent updates, Google Chrome introduced a new shortcut feature in the omnibar (also known as the address bar) to directly prompt Google’s Gemini AI using the keyword @gemini. This innovative addition allows users to interact with AI straight from the address bar without the need to navigate to a separate website.

But did you know that you can configure Chrome to do the same for OpenAI’s ChatGPT? With a small adjustment using Chrome’s SiteSearch settings, you can create your own shortcut to quickly interact with ChatGPT. In this post, I’ll show you how to set up an omnibar shortcut for ChatGPT, similar to the new @gemini feature.

What is the Chrome Omnibar?

The omnibar is Chrome’s versatile address bar, where you can type URLs, conduct searches, and more. With a bit of tweaking, you can use it to query websites or even trigger AI interactions, saving time and enhancing productivity.

Creating Your Own @chatgpt Shortcut in Chrome

By leveraging Chrome’s built-in SiteSearch feature, you can set up a quick-prompt to directly search or interact with ChatGPT. This setup lets you bypass extra navigation and trigger ChatGPT queries by typing @chatgpt -followed by your prompt- directly in the omnibar.

Here’s how to configure this shortcut:

  1. Open SiteSearch Settings:
    • Right-click on the omnibar (address bar) and select Manage search engines and site search from the context menu.
  2. Add a New SiteSearch Entry:
    • Scroll down to the Site Search section and click Add.
  3. Fill in the ChatGPT Shortcut Details:
    • In the dialog box, input the following:
      • Search engine: ChatGPT (or any name you like).
      • Shortcut: @chatgpt (or simply chatgpt if you prefer).
      • URL with %s in place of query: https://chat.openai.com/?q=%s.
    This setup will allow you to type @chatgpt followed by your query directly in the omnibar. For example, typing “@chatgpt What is AI?" will take you straight to ChatGPT, where it will process the question.
  4. Save the Entry:
    • Click Add to save the new ChatGPT entry.

How to Use the New @chatgpt Shortcut

Once you’ve configured the shortcut, using it is simple:

  1. Open a new tab in Chrome.
  2. Type @chatgpt, hit space or tab, and enter your prompt (e.g., @chatgpt What is the difference between AI and ML?).
  3. Press Enter and the browser will open ChatGPT, automatically entering your query into the chat for a quick response.

Final Thoughts

Google Chrome’s introduction of the @gemini feature is a significant step toward integrating AI interactions directly into the browser. However, with a simple SiteSearch configuration, you can also create your own shortcut for ChatGPT using the @chatgpt keyword. This setup will let you prompt ChatGPT straight from the omnibar, making your browser even more powerful.

Configure your own ChatGPT shortcut today, and start enjoying the convenience of quick AI queries from your browser’s address bar!