🔍 Goal: Use ChatGPT’s “Deep Research” to track competitors, monitor trends, and generate market insights.
🧰 What You Need
- A ChatGPT Plus subscription (Deep Research is currently a GPT-4o feature).
- Access to the Deep Research toggle (in Settings > Personalization).
- Optional: A spreadsheet app (Google Sheets, Excel) to track findings.
- Basic understanding of your business niche and key competitors.
🧭 Step-by-Step Guide
🥇 Step 1: Enable Deep Research
- Click your name → Settings.
- Under Personalization, toggle on Deep Research.
- This allows ChatGPT to access the latest and most reliable sources on the web.
- Create a new chat to start fresh.
🥈 Step 2: Define Your Research Focus
Before asking ChatGPT, have these ready:
- Your business niche (e.g., eco-friendly homeware in India).
- Names of competitors you know.
- The type of data you want: pricing, customer sentiment, product launches, etc.
🧾 Example Prompt:
“Act as a competitive intelligence assistant for my small business. I sell eco-friendly homeware in India. Research 5 leading competitors in this space and summarize: (a) their best-selling products, (b) their average pricing strategy, (c) key customer complaints and praise, (d) any recent marketing or product launch activity in 2024–2025.”
ChatGPT will now scan sources, compare insights, and even cite where data is drawn from.
🥉 Step 3: Request Trend Analysis
Now, dive into industry trends.
📈 Prompt:
“Using deep research, what are 3 emerging trends in eco-friendly homeware in India that small businesses should pay attention to in 2025?”
ChatGPT may analyze blogs, news reports, consumer data, and reports from credible Indian e-commerce sites (like Nykaa, Amazon India, or Flipkart).
🏅 Step 4: Discover Market Gaps
Find areas where demand is high but supply is low.
🔍 Prompt:
“Based on current customer reviews and social media trends, identify 2 underserved needs or product gaps in the Indian homeware market.”
You’ll get targeted gaps like:
- “No affordable biodegradable kitchen organizers under ₹500.”
- “Lack of modern-style eco-friendly gifts for housewarming.”
🎯 Step 5: Generate Strategic Actions
Turn insight into action.
💡 Prompt:
“Based on the above competitor insights and market gaps, suggest 3 pricing or product strategies for a new eco-homeware brand in India in 2025.”
ChatGPT can give:
- Tiered pricing models
- Bundled launch kits
- Social media campaign ideas linked to festival seasons like Diwali
📅 Step 6: Automate Recurring Reports (Optional)
You can make this a habit!
📆 Prompt:
“Create a monthly market research summary template I can reuse to track competitors, trends, and customer sentiment for my business.”
You’ll get a structure like:
- Competitor updates
- Product changes
- Pricing shifts
- Notable trends
- Suggested actions
🔐 Bonus Tip: Stay Compliant and Ethical
Avoid scraping or stealing proprietary data. ChatGPT’s deep research uses publicly available, reputable sources. Always verify important decisions with cross-checked data.
🎁 Sample Output Snippet (What ChatGPT May Return)
Competitor: GreenNest India
Best-Sellers: Bamboo toothbrush kits, Coconut shell bowls
Avg. Pricing: ₹299–₹749
Praise: Eco-friendly packaging
Complaints: Long delivery times, limited variety
Recent Campaign: Instagram giveaway for Earth Day (April 2025)
💬 Final Words
With Deep Research, small businesses can now tap into market-level intelligence like the big players—without hiring a research team. Use this power weekly or monthly to stay ahead of your competitors.