I rely on ChatGPT a lot for my writing—especially when I need quick summaries or citations for academic projects. However, one recurring problem I’ve encountered is that ChatGPT sometimes “hallucinates” references, providing links or articles that just don’t exist. After experimenting with different strategies, I’ve found two effective ways to tackle this issue, along with a neat solution to streamline my own workflow. Below is my personal experience.
How I Combated Made-Up References
1) Using GPTs from Consensus
The first approach I discovered was using specialized GPT models offered by Consensus. I originally stumbled across this platform when I got tired of double-checking all the phantom references ChatGPT gave me. Consensus provides GPTs that are specifically designed to generate data-driven or peer-reviewed insights, making them a great option if you need accuracy above all else.
- What I Noticed: With Consensus, the references were generally more credible. I spent less time weeding out fake citations and more time focusing on my actual research.
- Downside: The biggest catch for me was the possibility of subscription fees down the road. As a student, I’m always mindful of budgets. Plus, depending on the features I needed, it could add up.
Ultimately, if your academic or professional reputation is on the line and you need trustworthy sources every single time, it might be worth exploring a paid option like Consensus. But I also found a second method that doesn’t require committing to another subscription.
2) Tweaking My Prompts
I decided to see if I could solve the problem without relying on external GPTs. Turns out, a more explicit prompt can go a long way. Instead of just typing, “Give me references,” I now ask:
“Please provide me with real, reliable, authoritative references that can be found on the internet. Please do not be lazy, search them thoroughly, and list the links to the references you find.”
- Why It Helps: The more detailed my instructions are, the more ChatGPT focuses on generating verifiable citations. I tell it not to “be lazy” so it (hopefully) takes more care in verifying the sources.
- My Results: This doesn’t 100% eliminate fake references, but it’s definitely cut them down. When I compare older prompts with the new ones, the difference is clear—I’m seeing fewer non-existent references.
How I Use PromptInsert to Streamline My Workflow
The real game-changer for me, though, has been a free Chrome Extension called PromptInsert. When I started refining my prompts, I noticed I spent a lot of time copying and pasting them each time I opened a new ChatGPT conversation. That’s when I decided to try out PromptInsert.
Here’s what my process looks like now:
- Create Prompt Templates: First, I drafted a few go-to prompts—like my “don’t be lazy” one for references—and saved them in PromptInsert.
- Set a Default Prompt: Then, I chose one template to automatically load every time I start a new chat session. So whenever I open ChatGPT, my custom prompt is already there, ready to go.
- Quick Tweaks: If I need slight adjustments, I just open the extension, tweak the prompt, and save. No more digging through old notes or retyping the same instructions.
This setup has drastically reduced the time I spend messing around with prompts. Now, instead of focusing on how to phrase my requests each time, I can zero in on reviewing the content ChatGPT produces. It also makes it easier to test variations of my references prompt, because I can switch between templates on the fly.
My Final Take
For anyone who’s serious about avoiding made-up references, combining a carefully structured prompt with a tool like PromptInsert is a solid approach. If you need ultimate accuracy and are open to potential subscription fees, platforms like Consensus might be the way to go. Otherwise, you’d be surprised how much of a difference a well-constructed prompt can make.
In my experience, using PromptInsert to store and auto-insert my refined prompts has saved me both time and frustration. The extension is free, simple to install, and it does exactly what I need—help me keep track of all my best prompts without juggling multiple documents or repeatedly copying and pasting.