You're treating AI like a search engine. That's why you get garbage results. Here's the mindset shift that makes AI actually useful.
The Problem I Keep Seeing
People type into ChatGPT the same way they type into Google.
"Best productivity apps"
"How to write a resume"
"Marketing tips for small business"
Then they get generic garbage and complain that AI is overhyped.
But here's the thing. AI isn't a search engine.
Treating it like one is why you're disappointed.
What Google Does vs. What AI Does
Let's be clear about the difference.
Google Finds Things
You ask Google a question. It searches the internet. It shows you websites that might have the answer.
Google doesn't create anything. It points you to things other people created.
Google is a librarian. "Here are books that might help with your question."
AI Creates Things
You give AI a task. It generates something new. Writing. Ideas. Analysis.
AI doesn't search for existing content. It creates original content based on patterns it learned.
AI is a creative assistant. "Here's something I made based on what you asked for."
Totally different tools. Totally different approaches needed.
The Mindset Shift
Stop asking AI to find information.
Start asking AI to create something.
That's it. That's the shift that changes everything.
Let me show you what this looks like.
Example 1: Learning Something New
The Google Approach (Wrong)
"What is content marketing"
This gets you a definition. Generic. Wikipedia-style. Not useful.
The AI Approach (Right)
"I'm a freelance graphic designer who wants to start content marketing but I don't know where to begin. Explain content marketing to me in terms of what I'd actually do week by week. Give me a simple starting point that doesn't require a big budget or technical skills."
This gets you something created specifically for you. Practical. Actionable. Actually useful.
Why It Works
You're not asking AI to find information about content marketing. You're asking it to create an explanation tailored to your situation.
Context + Specific Request = Useful Output
Example 2: Solving a Problem
The Google Approach (Wrong)
"Email marketing best practices"
You get a list. "Segment your audience. Personalize subject lines. Track metrics."
You knew that already. Still don't know what to do.
The AI Approach (Right)
"I run a small yoga studio with 200 email subscribers. I send one newsletter per month announcing classes. Open rates are 12%. I don't know what to write about or how often to send. Create a simple 3-month email content plan with specific topic ideas for each email and explain why these topics would work for yoga studio subscribers."
You get a custom plan. Specific topics. Reasoning behind each one. Actually implementable.
Why It Works
You're not asking for generic tips. You're asking AI to create a solution for your specific situation.
Problem + Context + Specific Request = Actionable Solution
Example 3: Creating Content
The Google Approach (Wrong)
"Good LinkedIn post ideas"
You get obvious suggestions. "Share industry news. Post about your wins. Ask questions."
Zero creativity. Nothing you'd actually post.
The AI Approach (Right)
"I'm a career coach who helps people navigate toxic workplaces. Generate 5 LinkedIn post ideas that would resonate with someone who's currently miserable at work but scared to leave. Each post should feel like 'this person gets it' and end with a subtle way to start a conversation. Make them specific, not generic career advice."
You get posts that might actually work. Real ideas. Specific angles. Conversation starters.
Why It Works
You're not asking for ideas about LinkedIn posts in general. You're asking AI to create specific post concepts for your specific audience.
Audience + Situation + Desired Outcome = Useful Content
The Pattern
See what's happening in the "right" examples?
They all include:
- Who you are
- What your situation is
- What you actually need
- How you want it delivered
The "wrong" examples have none of that.
They're search queries. And AI isn't a search engine.
Why This Is Hard to Unlearn
You've been Googling things for years. Maybe decades.
That habit is deep.
"How to [thing]"
"Best [thing]"
"What is [thing]"
It's automatic. You don't even think about it.
But here's the truth: That habit is killing your AI results.
The Three Questions
Before you prompt AI, ask yourself:
1. "Am I asking AI to find something or create something?"
If find → You might want Google instead
If create → AI is the right tool
2. "Have I given AI enough context to create something useful?"
If no → Add who you are and what your situation is
If yes → You're on track
3. "Am I being specific about what I want created?"
If no → Add details about format, tone, and outcome
If yes → Hit enter
These three questions fix 90% of bad prompts.
Real-World Applications
Let's look at common tasks and compare approaches.
Task: Learning a New Skill
Google-style (Wrong):
"How to learn Python"
AI-style (Right):
"I'm a marketing manager who wants to learn enough Python to automate my reporting. I have no programming experience. Create a 4-week learning plan with daily 30-minute lessons. Focus only on what's relevant to data analysis and automation. Skip anything too technical or theoretical."
Task: Writing an Email
Google-style (Wrong):
"Professional email template"
AI-style (Right):
"Write an email to my team letting them know I need to postpone our Friday meeting to Monday. The reason is that our client moved up their deadline. Keep it brief and apologetic. I'm the project lead and this is the second reschedule this month, so acknowledge that without over-apologizing."
Task: Making a Decision
Google-style (Wrong):
"Should I hire a virtual assistant"
AI-style (Right):
"I'm a solo entrepreneur making $120K/year. I spend about 10 hours per week on admin tasks: email management, scheduling, invoice tracking, and social media posting. A VA would cost $1,500/month. Help me think through whether this makes financial and practical sense. What questions should I be asking myself?"
Task: Brainstorming
Google-style (Wrong):
"Creative business ideas"
AI-style (Right):
"I have a background in HR and notice that small companies (10-50 people) struggle with employee engagement. They can't afford big consulting firms. Generate 3 business ideas for how I could serve this market with a low-overhead business model. For each idea, explain the service, the business model, and the main challenge I'd face."
See the pattern?
Google-style asks for information that exists.
AI-style asks for something created specifically for you.
The Wrong Situations for AI
AI isn't always the right tool. Here's when to use Google instead:
Use Google When You Need:
Facts and current information
"What's the weather tomorrow"
"Who won the World Series in 2024"
"Current price of [stock]"
AI doesn't have real-time information. It'll guess or give outdated info.
Existing resources
"Best CRM for small business"
"Tutorial for [software]"
"Reviews of [product]"
AI can recommend but can't search current reviews or pricing.
Specific sources
"What did [person] say about [topic]"
"Find research on [specific study]"
"[Company] official documentation"
AI can't browse the web (in most cases). It can't find specific sources.
Navigation
"How to reset my Instagram password"
"Nearest coffee shop"
"Flight status for [flight number]"
These need real-time data or site-specific navigation. Google handles these.
The Right Situations for AI
Use AI when you need creation, not information.
Use AI When You Need:
Custom content
- Writing tailored to your situation
- Ideas specific to your constraints
- Explanations at your level
Analysis
- Breaking down complex problems
- Considering multiple perspectives
- Thinking through scenarios
Creation
- First drafts
- Brainstorming
- Rewriting or improving existing content
Planning
- Step-by-step guides for your situation
- Custom frameworks
- Personalized strategies
The Hybrid Approach
Sometimes you need both.
Use Google to find information. Use AI to make sense of it.
Example:
- Google: "2024 social media algorithm changes"
- Read the articles
- AI: "I run a small business Instagram account with 2,000 followers. Based on the 2024 algorithm changes [briefly summarize what you learned], what should I change about my posting strategy? Give me 3 specific tactical changes I can make this week."
Google finds the facts. AI creates your application strategy.
The Test
Here's how to know if you're doing it right.
Look at your prompt. Remove all context about you and your situation.
If the prompt still makes sense for anyone asking about this topic? You're being too generic.
If the prompt only makes sense for someone in your specific situation? You're doing it right.
Generic (Wrong):
"How to improve my website" → Could be anyone
Specific (Right):
"I'm a freelance photographer. My website gets 500 visitors per month but only 2% fill out the contact form. My portfolio is strong. What are the most likely reasons people aren't contacting me, and what should I test first?" → Only makes sense for this person
Your Challenge This Week
For one week, before you prompt AI, ask:
"Am I treating this like Google or like a creative assistant?"
If you're treating it like Google, stop. Reframe your prompt.
Add context. Be specific. Ask for creation.
See what happens.
The Bottom Line
Google finds answers.
AI creates solutions.
Stop asking AI to find. Start asking AI to create.
That's the shift.
Everything else is just details.
Now go prompt differently.