What topics do people search for in ChatGPT: analysis of the questions that dominate conversations (2024–2025)

ChatGPT is used by hundreds of millions of users worldwide, and the topics people ask about provide a unique insight into what modern individuals seek help with - in their daily lives and work. Data from OpenAI's largest survey on user activity, as well as independent analyses of conversation content, show that there are certain categories of questions that stand out in frequency and trend.

Practical advice and guidance - the most common topic

The largest share of conversations with ChatGPT is related to seeking practical advice and guidance - from “how to do X” to help with solving specific challenges. This category often includes tasks that people previously searched for through traditional search engines or reference sites, but now prefer conversational responses from AI. According to data from OpenAI's open report, about 49 % of questions fall into the “asking” group - i.e., the user seeks advice, explanation, or recommendation, rather than just performing a specific task.

Writing and content - help in creative and professional communication

The second broadest category of questions is related to writing and content - many people use ChatGPT for creating, editing, or formatting texts, including:

• professional emails
• articles and blog posts
• motivational letters and CVs
• dictionaries and descriptions

Some analyses of large samples of user conversations show that this type of inquiry constitutes nearly 28 % of all interactions, placing “writing” alongside practical advice as the most common use.

Searching for general information and knowledge

Many users use ChatGPT as an information source - for fact-checking, explaining terms, summarizing complex topics, and references, similar to what is done with search engines. These types of questions are often part of daily task-solving or preparation for meetings, training, and work. Analyses show that about 21-24 % of usage represents searching for general information.

Health questions - an important and growing category

One of the most interesting trends is the significant share of health questions that users ask in ChatGPT. According to the latest report from OpenAI, over 40 million people use ChatGPT daily to seek information and guidance related to health and medicine - for example, how to understand symptoms, interpret medical terms, explore treatment options, or navigate complex health insurance issues. This represents at least 5 % of all questions asked globally each week.

Users say they often turn to AI precisely when they do not have easy access to a health professional or want to be better informed before visiting a doctor - whether it is about understanding symptoms or interpreting medical terms.

It is important to note that ChatGPT is not a medical diagnostic tool and does not replace professional consultation, but it clearly serves as an initial source of information for many people seeking understandable, everyday explanations.

Education, training, and development

A significant share of users use ChatGPT for educational purposes - explaining concepts, helping with learning, and preparing for exams or job interviews. This is closely related to practical questions, but the focus here is more often on in-depth understanding of topics and support for learning and development, leading to secondary productivity in work and career.

Specialized technical questions and other topics

More niche, yet still significant categories include technical tasks such as programming, toolkits for specific professions, and certain specific questions, for example, related to finance, law, or administration. These questions form a smaller but stable percentage of usage, often around 10 % or less, depending on the sample.

 

What does this indicate for career development

The trends in the topics that people search for in ChatGPT outline two main roles of AI in professional life:

1. A tool for daily productivity - assists with writing, planning, researching, and solving practical tasks, which directly facilitates work and saves time.
2. An informational partner for learning and decision-making - people seek help to understand complex topics, including health, legal, or technical questions, which contributes to self-learning and confidence when interacting with professionals.

For career media, this means that AI tools are now part of the daily professional arsenal - they are not just a “geek tool” for programmers, but a means for work, self-learning, and preparation in every industry.

 

Sources

• OpenAI - study “How people are using ChatGPT” (September 15, 2025), openai.com
• OpenAI - global usage data by category (“Asking vs Doing” etc.), openai.com
• Report from OpenAI: over 40 M users daily ask health questions to ChatGPT (January 2026), healthcaredive.com
• Data on health questions in ChatGPT – most common reasons and trends, EMARKETER
• Independent analysis of part of the data on the most common topics (“practical guidance”, “writing”, “seeking information”), Reddit