What Are All These ChatGPT Tools Used For? A Simple Guide for Beginners

If you have recently started using ChatGPT, you may have noticed that there are many more options available than just the normal chat box.

When you click on the plus (+) icon, you may see options such as Add Photos & Files, Add from Library, Create Image, Web Search, Maps, Deep Research, Canva, GitHub, OpenAI Platform, and even tools like vidIQ.

For someone who is using ChatGPT for the first time, this can look a little confusing.

You may be wondering:

Which tool should I use?

What exactly does each option do?

Do I need all of these tools?

Don't worry. You don't need to be a technical person to understand them.

In this guide, I will explain these ChatGPT options in very simple English, with practical examples, so even a complete beginner can understand when to use which tool.

1. Add Photos & Files — Give Your Files to ChatGPT

Let's start with one of the most useful options: Add Photos & Files.

As the name suggests, this option allows you to upload files or images to ChatGPT and then ask questions about them.

For example, suppose you have a PDF document with 50 pages, but you don't have time to read the entire thing.

You can upload the PDF and ask:

"Give me a simple summary of this document."

ChatGPT can then help you understand the content without you having to go through every page yourself.

You can also upload screenshots and ask things like:

"What is wrong in this screenshot?"

Or you can upload a document and ask ChatGPT to find a particular piece of information from it.

When should you use it?

You can use Add Photos & Files for:

• PDF documents
• Screenshots
• Images
• Reports
• Text documents
• Tables and data
• Other supported files

For example, if you have received a complicated office document and don't understand it properly, upload it and simply ask ChatGPT to explain it in easy language.

Simple rule: If you already have a file or image and want ChatGPT to work with it, use Add Photos & Files.

2. Add from Library — Use Your Previously Available Files

The next option is Add from Library.

This can be useful when you have already uploaded or saved files that are available in your ChatGPT library.

Instead of searching through your computer again and uploading the same file, you may be able to find it directly from your library.

Think of it like a small digital storage area where your previously available files can be found.

For example, suppose you uploaded a project document a few days ago.

Today, you want to continue working on that same document.

If the file is available in your library, you can select it from there instead of uploading it again.

Why is this useful?

The biggest benefit is simple:

It saves time.

You don't have to keep looking for the same document on your computer every time you want to use it.

Simple rule: If you have already used a file in ChatGPT and it is available in your Library, check Add from Library first.

3. Create Image — Turn Your Ideas Into Images

Now comes one of the most interesting options, especially if you are a content creator.

The Create Image option allows you to generate images using a text description.

You simply explain what you want, and ChatGPT can help turn that idea into an image.

For example, you could write:

"Create a cinematic sunrise scene in the Indian mountains with realistic photography."

You can be as simple or detailed as you want.

This can be useful for more than just creating random pictures.

Bloggers, YouTubers, social media creators, students, designers and business owners can all find different uses for AI image generation.

You can use it for things like:

• YouTube thumbnails
• Social media posts
• Posters
• Wallpapers
• Blog images
• Product concepts
• Creative artwork
• Background images
• Fashion concepts
• Marketing visuals

The better you explain your idea, the easier it becomes to get an output closer to what you have in mind.

Simple rule: If you want to turn a written idea into an image, try Create Image.

4. Web Search — When You Need Latest Information

This is another option that beginners should understand properly.

ChatGPT can answer many questions from its existing knowledge, but some information changes very quickly.

For example:

• Today's gold price
• Latest technology news
• Recent product launches
• Current events
• Latest AI updates
• Current business information

For such questions, you may want to use Web Search.

For example, instead of asking:

"What is the latest AI news?"

and expecting old information to be enough, you can use Web Search so that the answer can be based on current information available online.

When should you use Web Search?

Use it when your question includes words such as:

latest, today, current, recently, this week, now

For example:

"What are the latest AI tools launched this month?"

"What is the current price of gold in India?"

"What are today's major technology news updates?"

These are all questions where current information matters.

Simple rule: If the answer can change with time, Web Search is usually the better choice.

5. Maps — Find Places Around You

If you want to find a real-world location, the Maps option can be useful.

Let's say you are travelling to a new city and want to find a good restaurant nearby.

You can ask something like:

"Find some good vegetarian restaurants near me."

Or:

"Show me some good cafes around this area."

Maps-related search can help you discover places based on location.

This can be particularly useful while travelling.

You can use it to find:

• Restaurants
• Cafes
• Hotels
• Tourist attractions
• Shops
• Local services
• Places near a particular location

So, if your question is related to an actual place that you can visit, the Maps option can be more useful than a normal chat.

Simple rule: Need to find a physical place? Think about Maps.

6. Deep Research — For Detailed Research

Now let's talk about Deep Research.

This option is different from simply asking ChatGPT a question.

Suppose you want to know:

"What are the biggest AI trends for 2026?"

A normal answer may give you a quick overview.

But what if you are writing a detailed article, preparing a report, doing business research, or studying a complicated subject?

In that case, you may want something much more detailed.

That's where Deep Research can be useful.

You can think of it as a research-focused mode for questions where you don't just want a quick answer. You want a more detailed and structured result.

It can be useful for:

• Detailed research
• Market research
• Competitor research
• Long reports
• Academic or professional research
• Comparing information from different sources
• Understanding complicated topics

For example:

Normal question:

"What is artificial intelligence?"

Research-style question:

"Research how generative AI is changing small businesses and explain the major opportunities and challenges."

The second type of question is much more suitable for a detailed research workflow.

Simple rule: Need a quick answer? Normal ChatGPT may be enough. Need proper, detailed research? Try Deep Research.

7. Canva — For Creating Designs

If you use Canva, you will probably find the Canva option interesting.

Canva is a popular design platform used for creating things such as social media posts, presentations, banners, posters and many other visual designs.

With Canva-related functionality available in ChatGPT, you can work with your design requirements through a conversational approach.

For example, you might say:

"I want to create a professional Instagram post for my AI course."

You can then continue working on the design using the available Canva workflow.

Who can benefit from Canva?

• YouTubers
• Bloggers
• Social media creators
• Students
• Teachers
• Freelancers
• Business owners
• Marketing professionals

If you regularly create visual content, Canva can save you a lot of time.

Simple rule: If your work involves creating designs, posts or visual content, Canva is worth exploring.

8. GitHub — Mainly for Developers

If you are a developer or programmer, you may have noticed the GitHub option.

GitHub is widely used by developers to store code, manage software projects, work with repositories, track issues and collaborate with other developers.

So naturally, this option is mainly useful for people who work with software and coding projects.

For example, imagine you are working on a website project and your GitHub repository contains many issues.

Instead of manually going through everything, connected GitHub functionality can help you work with information from your development projects.

GitHub is mainly useful for:

• Web developers
• Software developers
• Programmers
• Development teams
• Open-source contributors

If you don't write code, you probably won't need this option very often.

But if you are a developer, it can become a very useful part of your workflow.

Simple rule: Working on a coding project? GitHub is the option to look at.

9. OpenAI Platform — For Developers and AI Applications

You may also see OpenAI Platform in the list.

This one is slightly different because it is mainly designed for developers and people building applications with OpenAI technology.

If you are simply using ChatGPT to ask questions, you probably don't need to worry about this option.

However, developers who want to build their own AI-powered applications may need developer tools, APIs, API keys, usage information and billing management.

For example, imagine a company wants to add an AI chatbot to its own website.

Simply opening ChatGPT and asking questions won't be enough.

The developer may need to work with the OpenAI developer platform and APIs to connect AI functionality with their application.

Who needs it?

• Software developers
• AI developers
• Startups
• Businesses building AI applications
• Programmers

Simple rule: If you want to build an application that uses OpenAI technology, the OpenAI Platform is the more relevant option.

10. vidIQ — Useful for YouTube Creators

You may also notice vidIQ near the ChatGPT input box.

vidIQ is a tool focused mainly on YouTube creators and YouTube growth.

If you run a YouTube channel, tools like this can be useful for areas such as content ideas, keywords, titles and understanding your YouTube strategy.

For example, you might want ideas for your next video.

You could ask:

"Give me 10 YouTube video ideas about AI for beginners."

Or perhaps you already have a topic and want better title ideas.

For someone who regularly creates YouTube videos, this type of tool can become quite useful.

Simple rule: If YouTube is an important part of your content work, explore vidIQ.

Which ChatGPT Tool Should You Use?

If you are still confused, don't worry.

You don't have to memorise everything.

Just remember this simple list:

What do you want to do?

Use this optionUpload a PDF image or document---Add Photos & Files

Use a previously available file ---- Add from Library

Generate an image ---- Create Image

Find current information---- Web Search

Find nearby places ----- Maps

Do detailed research ----- Deep Research

Create designs ----- Canva

Work with coding projects ------ GitHub

Build AI applications ------ OpenAI Platform

Work on YouTube content--- vidIQ

Which Tools Should a Beginner Learn First?

If you have just started using ChatGPT, please don't feel that you need to learn everything at once.

You don't.

Start with the basics.

I would suggest getting comfortable with these four first:

1. Add Photos & Files

2. Create Image

3. Web Search

4. Deep Research

Once you understand these, you can slowly explore Canva, GitHub, Maps and other options depending on your work.

The important thing is not to use a tool just because it is available.

First ask yourself:

"What exactly am I trying to do?"

Then choose the tool according to the job.

For example, if you just want to understand a topic, normal ChatGPT may be enough.

If you need today's information, use Web Search.

If you have a PDF that you don't understand, upload it.

If you want to create a visual, use Create Image.

If you need a detailed report, try Deep Research.

If you want to create a design, look at Canva.

And if you are a developer working on a software project, GitHub may be much more useful for you.

Final Thoughts

When you first look at all these options inside ChatGPT, it can feel like there are too many things to learn.

But once you understand what each tool is meant for, it actually becomes quite simple.

You don't need to become an expert in every option.

Think of ChatGPT as a toolbox.

A toolbox contains many tools, but you don't use a screwdriver when you need a hammer.

The same idea applies here.

Need a file analysed? Use Add Photos & Files.

Need an image? Use Create Image.

Need current information? Use Web Search.

Need detailed research? Use Deep Research.

Need a nearby place? Use Maps.

Need a design? Try Canva.

Need help with a coding project? Look at GitHub.

Building an AI application? Explore OpenAI Platform.

Creating YouTube content? vidIQ may be useful.

Once you start thinking this way, the different ChatGPT options stop looking complicated.

You simply decide what you want to accomplish, choose the tool that fits the job, and get started.

And honestly, that's probably the easiest way for any beginner to get comfortable with ChatGPT.

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