You can use AI chatbots like Perplexity, ChatGPT , and Meta AI in WhatsApp , allowing you to interact with them right inside the messaging app. However, after testing it, this is probably not the best way to use AI chatbots, or even if they are worth using.
5. Constant notifications from WhatsApp disrupt your concentration
WhatsApp is the primary instant messaging platform that many people use to stay in touch with friends, family, and acquaintances, so their accounts are constantly buzzing with messages from contacts and groups throughout the day.
With a constant stream of notifications, it's hard to use a research AI chatbot in an environment full of interruptions and the constant urge to check other conversations. In my experience, it's hard to stay focused when your attention is constantly being pulled in different directions.
It is better to use dedicated apps that provide a better environment for distraction-free focus. Your experience may vary, but productivity has been affected by trying to use AI chatbots on this commonly used communication platform.
4. Dedicated apps get new AI features first
Using these AI chatbots through official apps means you're among the first to get access to new models, interface improvements, and testing tools, unlike WhatsApp, where new features come much later, if at all.
Currently, using these chatbots on WhatsApp means missing out on a lot of features (more on that later). Since you want early access to new AI features, using dedicated apps is the only option.
3. AI Chatbots on WhatsApp Offer Little Customization
Another area where AI chatbots on WhatsApp fall short is customization. Unlike dedicated AI apps that let you turn specific tools on or off or choose different models, using these bots on WhatsApp is very limited in how much you can customize the experience.
For example, on Perplexity's iOS app, you can customize the bot to include academic sources and opinions from social media platforms, something that WhatsApp can't do. With ChatGPT on WhatsApp , you can't choose which model to use. That's a significant drawback, since you should use different ChatGPT models for specific tasks .
2. WhatsApp's user interface is not optimized to interact with AI chatbots
One of the main reasons people don't switch to AI chatbots on WhatsApp is the user interface. As an instant messaging app, WhatsApp has an easy-to-use and intuitive interface that makes chatting with friends and family convenient. The app isn't designed for complex interactions with AI chatbots, which can create content that requires special formatting to be clear.
WhatsApp's simple, minimalist interface offers limited formatting options, which can make it difficult to follow some conversations. For example, if you try to chat with chatbots about topics that require special formatting, like math and programming, you may have trouble following the explanations.
Additionally, there is no convenient way to separate threads or review previous queries. The only options are to scroll to the top or use WhatsApp's built-in search feature. You can't even copy specific text from a message, rather than the entire response.
The lack of a history panel or quick action buttons further hampers the user experience. Dedicated apps like Perplexity and ChatGPT provide beautiful interfaces with all the necessary formatting capabilities, making it easy to follow complex or multi-step conversations.
1. You're not getting the full experience on WhatsApp
While you can use these AI chatbots on WhatsApp, it's surprising to see how limited the features are. While using chatbots like ChatGPT on WhatsApp might be the most convenient way to access them, these limitations ruin the entire experience.
For example, ChatGPT has a usage limit on the number of WhatsApp messages you can send per day. With Perplexity, the response time when chatting with a bot on WhatsApp is shorter than the dedicated web or mobile app for the same query. Unlike when you ask anything via the web or dedicated app, Perplexity often ignores the information sources on WhatsApp.
When chatting with ChatGPT on WhatsApp, you don't have access to advanced features like plugins, read aloud, easy copy and paste, chat organization, chat link sharing, and easy searching. You also don't have access to ChatGPT's Deep Search tool, along with other handy features.
With Perplexity AI , you also miss out on all the handy features in the app. For example, there's no library of previous chat threads, which makes it easy to keep track of past conversations.
Using AI chatbots on WhatsApp is convenient, but it comes with limitations, such as a basic interface, limited features, and minimal customization. Plus, there are too many distractions on WhatsApp that prevent you from doing any serious work, such as researching or brainstorming. For this reason, people will probably continue to use these AI chatbots through dedicated apps.