If you’ve ever used ChatGPT to ask for help with tools like Notion, Canva, Figma, or Descript, you might have been surprised by how detailed and accurate the responses are. From how-to steps to feature explanations, it can feel like ChatGPT knows everything.
So how does it work?
In this blog post, we’ll break down exactly how ChatGPT knows about apps, how it handles recent updates, and how to use it better for tech support, learning, and productivity.
ChatGPT’s Core Knowledge Source
ChatGPT’s training is based on a large dataset of publicly available information. This includes:
- Product documentation
- Blog posts
- Public forum discussions
- YouTube video transcripts
- Help center articles
- Developer changelogs
Up to October 2023, ChatGPT was trained on a vast mix of such content. If your favorite tool has been discussed online—especially in a help article, blog, or video—ChatGPT has likely absorbed it.
That’s how it answers so well, even if the software is relatively new.
Companies Don’t Feed ChatGPT Their Data
Let’s bust a myth: ChatGPT isn’t fed data directly by software companies. It’s not connected to internal systems, private databases, or account-level information.
Instead, it works like a highly advanced researcher—trained to connect dots using only what’s available to the public.
So, if you ask ChatGPT how to use a feature in Notion or Slack, it’s pulling from the vast archive of online explanations it encountered during training.
But What About New Updates?
Here’s where ChatGPT Pro with web browsing shines. When browsing is enabled, you can ask questions like:
- “What’s new in Canva as of April 2025?”
- “Did Descript release a new AI tool this month?”
ChatGPT will fetch the latest updates from official sources—like blogs, changelogs, and support sites—live, during the session.
However, this information is not remembered in future chats. It’s available only in that moment.
Real-Time Help Without the Noise
This approach offers a smart balance:
- You get up-to-date answers
- Without compromising privacy
- Without needing to sift through search engine results
Whether you’re a marketer, designer, content creator, or team leader, this gives you a fast way to stay updated and solve problems quickly.
Practical Use Cases
Here’s how professionals are using ChatGPT to increase productivity:
- Learning new tools without wading through documentation
- Getting unstuck on software problems
- Creating onboarding material faster
- Training teammates with less time investment
Instead of hunting down tutorials or waiting for support replies, many are now turning to ChatGPT as their first stop for help.
Want Help Using AI to Work Smarter?
If you’re looking to use tools like ChatGPT in your business or workflow, you can book a free consultation with me at WebDudes to explore how AI can save you time and effort.
Conclusion
ChatGPT knows a lot because it’s trained on a lot. It doesn’t have insider access. But by learning from public resources, it gives you useful, relevant answers almost instantly.
With real-time browsing (in Pro mode), it gets even better—helping you stay current without any manual digging.
For those in marketing, tech, coaching, or consulting, understanding how ChatGPT works behind the scenes lets you use it more effectively—and stay a step ahead.