--- title: "AI Quick Tips 274: GPT-5.2. web search and research tips (with prompt section example)" description: Expert tips for leveraging GPT-5.2 in web research, including best practices for instructing the model and a customizable prompt snippet. 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[Human + AI Playbook Template](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/en-us/human-ai-playbook) - [NotebookLM Masterclass](https://maven.com/thoughts-brewing-llc/learn-notebooklm-in-a-weekend-2-cohort) - [Fractional COO/CTO Services](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/en-us/fractional-coo/cto-services) - [Contact](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/en-us/contact) What are you looking for? # AI Quick Tips 274: GPT-5.2. web search and research tips (with prompt section example) January 13, 2026 ![Picture of Damien Griffin](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/20cb51297a34e5d5d7c3362ec1fae755) [Damien Griffin](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/blog/author/damien) ![A graphic title card on a dark blue background. On the left is an orange robot head with a speech bubble containing the text 'AI'. To the right is a light blue circle containing the words 'Quick Tips'.](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/hubfs/AI%20Quick%20Tips-1.jpg) OpenAI’s prompting guide for GPT-5.2 has some really good information and guidance. Hopefully you can save some time by just reading relevant sections here.   This is their section on “Web search and research” with GPT-5.2 (excessive syllable warning)- *“GPT-5.2 is more steerable and capable at synthesizing information across many sources.* *Best practices to follow:* - - *Specify the research bar up front: Tell the model how you want to perform search. Whether to follow second-order leads, resolve contradictions and include citations. Explicitly state how far to go, for instance: that additional research should continue until marginal value drops.* - *Constrain ambiguity by instruction, not questions: Instruct the model to cover all plausible intents comprehensively and not ask clarifying questions. Require breadth and depth when uncertainty exists.* - *Dictate output shape and tone: Set expectations for structure (Markdown, headers, tables for comparisons), clarity (define acronyms, concrete examples) and voice (conversational, persona-adaptive, non-sycophantic)“*   #### They also added this prompt snippet that you can modify and add to your prompts - > \ > > \- Act as an expert research assistant; default to comprehensive, well-structured answers. > > \- Prefer web research over assumptions whenever facts may be uncertain or incomplete; include citations for all web-derived information. > > \- Research all parts of the query, resolve contradictions, and follow important second-order implications until further research is unlikely to change the answer. > > \- Do not ask clarifying questions; instead cover all plausible user intents with both breadth and depth. > > \- Write clearly and directly using Markdown (headers, bullets, tables when helpful); define acronyms, use concrete examples, and keep a natural, conversational tone. > > \   Take a look at [AI Quick Tips #261](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/blog/ai-quick-tips-261-prompt-template-with-best-practices-baked-in) if you don’t recognize the notations. ![An illustration with a deep blue background shows an open, glowing book labeled ](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/hs-fs/hubfs/YouTube%20Subscribe%20CTA%20-%205.png?width=600&height=496&name=YouTube%20Subscribe%20CTA%20-%205.png) ## The Blog Explains It. 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Save time with these quick tips.", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Damien Griffin" }, "dateModified" : "13 Jan 2026, 14:45", "datePublished" : "2026-01-13 14:45:01", "headline" : "AI Quick Tips 274: GPT-5.2. web search and research tips (with prompt section example)", "image" : "https://thoughtsbrewing.com/hubfs/AI%20Quick%20Tips-1.jpg", "inLanguage" : "en", "keywords" : "[AI Quick Tips, AI, Prompt Engineering, Intermediate, ChatGPT, ChatGPT5]", "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@type" : "WebPage" }, "name" : "AI Quick Tips 274: GPT-5.2. web search and research tips (with prompt section example)", "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://24461783.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/24461783/Thoughts%20Brewing%20Logo_Round_Final_Light%20Blue_Transparent%20Background-1.png" }, "name" : "Thoughts Brewing, LLC" }, "text" : "OpenAI’s prompting guide for GPT-5.2 has some really good information and guidance. Hopefully you can save some time by just reading relevant sections here. This is their section on “Web search and research” with GPT-5.2 (excessive syllable warning)- “GPT-5.2 is more steerable and capable at synthesizing information across many sources. Best practices to follow: Specify the research bar up front: Tell the model how you want to perform search. Whether to follow second-order leads, resolve contradictions and include citations. Explicitly state how far to go, for instance: that additional research should continue until marginal value drops. Constrain ambiguity by instruction, not questions: Instruct the model to cover all plausible intents comprehensively and not ask clarifying questions. Require breadth and depth when uncertainty exists. Dictate output shape and tone: Set expectations for structure (Markdown, headers, tables for comparisons), clarity (define acronyms, concrete examples) and voice (conversational, persona-adaptive, non-sycophantic)“ They also added this prompt snippet that you can modify and add to your prompts - - Act as an expert research assistant; default to comprehensive, well-structured answers. - Prefer web research over assumptions whenever facts may be uncertain or incomplete; include citations for all web-derived information. - Research all parts of the query, resolve contradictions, and follow important second-order implications until further research is unlikely to change the answer. - Do not ask clarifying questions; instead cover all plausible user intents with both breadth and depth. - Write clearly and directly using Markdown (headers, bullets, tables when helpful); define acronyms, use concrete examples, and keep a natural, conversational tone. Take a look at AI Quick Tips #261 if you don’t recognize the notations. The Blog Explains It. The Channel Shows It. Short videos, real workflows, fewer assumptions. Subscribe to Our Channel →", "url" : "https://thoughtsbrewing.com/blog/ai-quick-tips-274-gpt-5.2.-web-search-and-research-tips-with-prompt-section-example" } ```