The chatgpt CONSTANTLY uses the thinking model even if i select the instant or gpt 4o

Understanding ChatGPT’s Response Behavior: Why the “Thinking” Model Continues to Activate Despite User Selections

As AI technology becomes an integral part of our digital workflows, users often expect predictable and efficient performance from platforms like ChatGPT. However, many users have recently reported an experience where the AI appears to default to its “thinking” or more complex model, even after selecting options such as “Instant” or “GPT-4,” especially when they are subscribed to ChatGPT Plus.

The Issue: Unexpected Model Selection Activity

A common scenario involves users requesting casual or creative outputs—such as brainstorming trap ideas for Minecraft or other light-hearted topics. Despite setting the model preference to “Instant,” some users find that ChatGPT disregards their selection, reverting to the “thinking” model. This behavior leads to several issues:

• Increased Token Consumption: The more resource-intensive “thinking” model consumes more tokens, which can deplete user allowances more rapidly.

• Response Quality and Consistency: Responses may become less helpful, break character, or fail to deliver the creative or straightforward answers users seek.

• User Experience: The inconsistency can cause frustration, especially when the AI refuses to answer simple questions or prioritizes elaborate processing over immediate responses.

Possible Causes and Insights

While the exact mechanics behind this behavior are not publicly documented in detail, several factors may influence this inconsistency:

1. Model Optimization for Complex Queries: ChatGPT may automatically escalate to a more “powerful” model for questions it perceives as requiring deeper reasoning, even if users select “Instant.”

2. System Overrides and Contextual Decisions: The platform might override user preferences based on internal algorithms designed to improve response relevance, which can sometimes lead to unexpected model activation.

3. Subscription Tier Limitations: Although users with ChatGPT Plus have access to GPT-4, there may still be nuances in how model versions are allocated for specific types of interactions, especially in beta or experimental features.

Best Practices and Recommendations

To mitigate these issues, users can consider the following strategies:

• Specify Your Preferences Clearly: When requesting responses, explicitly state the desired models or response style in your prompt (e.g., “Please respond using the instant model”).

• Use Platform Settings Carefully: Ensure your settings are correctly saved, and check for any ongoing platform updates or outages that might influence model behavior.

• Provide Feedback: Report inconsistent behavior through official feedback channels. User reports can