Interview with Optimizely Opal: How AI *really* thinks about your prompts
Today, we're sitting down with Opal, Optimizely's AI platform, to get an inside look at how it processes your prompts. Understanding its thought process can help you craft more effective prompts and get the most out of your AI interactions. So then, let's get started.
Opal, can you walk us through how you process a prompt?
Sure! When you give me a prompt, here's what I do:
- First, I break it down: I start by carefully reading your prompt to understand what you're asking. I look for the main goal, any specific context you've provided, and any limitations or constraints.
- Next, I find keywords: I identify the most important words and phrases in your prompt. These keywords help me search for relevant information.
- Then, I gather information: I use my resources to find information that can help me answer your question.
- After that, I reason and formulate: I take all the information I've gathered and use it to formulate a clear and accurate response.
- Finally, I refine and respond: I refine my response to make sure it's easy to understand and fully answers your question.
What makes a prompt challenging for you?
Some prompts are more difficult for me to process than others. Here's what makes a prompt challenging:
- Multi-step reasoning all at once: While I can execute multiple steps, I can do so better when you break the steps into separate prompts.
- Ambiguity: Vague or unclear prompts make it hard for me to understand what you're really asking.
- Lack of context: If you don't give me enough information, I may not be able to give you the best answer.
What are some common mistakes users make when writing prompts?
One common mistake is not being specific enough. For example, instead of asking "What are some marketing strategies?", try asking "What are some effective content marketing strategies for increasing brand awareness on social media?"
Can you give us an example of a good prompt versus a bad prompt?
Sure! So, maybe you're there wondering what more you can do with Optimizely. A bad prompt might be: "Tell me about Optimizely" but a good prompt? Something more like: "Explain how to set up an A/B test in Optimizely Web Experimentation, including the steps for creating variations and defining goals." The second prompt is much more specific and gives me a clear direction.
But of course, I go beyond telling you what's up with Optimizely's product (I don't drink my own Kool-Aid... that much). Here are some other examples of good versus bad prompts:
❌ Bad prompt: Create a test plan for me.
✅ Good prompt: Create a test plan for me based on the attached test plan. The goal is to increase conversions on our checkout page by testing the CTA copy.
❌ Bad prompt: Create an article about retirement savings.
✅ Good prompt: Write an article in our tone of voice about 3 ways to save for retirement. The target audience is adults who are 50 years old or older. The CTA is to contact us for a consultation.
How important is it to use proper grammar and spelling in prompts?
While I can often understand prompts with minor errors, using proper grammar and spelling definitely helps me process your request more efficiently. Clear and correct language reduces ambiguity and ensures I understand your intent accurately.
What's the best way to provide context in a prompt?
The best way to provide context is to include relevant background information in your prompt. For example, if you're asking about a specific campaign, mention the campaign name, target audience, and goals. The more information you provide, the better I can understand the situation and give you a relevant answer.
Do you have any preferences for the length of a prompt?
I don't have a strict preference for prompt length, but it's generally better to be concise and to the point. Avoid unnecessary words or phrases. Focus on providing the essential information I need to understand your request.
How do you handle prompts that are outside of your area of expertise?
If a prompt is outside of my area of expertise, I'll do my best to provide a helpful answer based on the information I have available. However, I may also suggest that you consult with a human expert or refer to Optimizely's documentation for more specific guidance.
How do you ensure that the information you provide is accurate and up-to-date?
I rely on a combination of my training data, your custom instructions, web searches, and access to Optimizely's knowledge base to ensure that the information I provide is accurate and up-to-date. I'm constantly learning and improving, so I can provide you with the best possible assistance.
Can you communicate in other languages? How many languages do you know?
Yes, I can! I'm trained to work with 38 languages. This allows me to tap into a much wider range of information and perspectives from around the world. For example, I can understand and respond in Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, English, Spanish, and many others. This helps me provide more comprehensive and accurate answers, no matter where the information originates.
Are there any types of prompts that are essentially useless and should be avoided?
Yes, prompts that are extremely vague and nonsensical should be avoided... otherwise you just end up with vague and nonsensical responses (and who wants that). Also, prompts that are offensive, unethical, or harmful are not only useless but also inappropriate and should be avoided.
What advice can you give users to write better prompts in general?
Here are some tips to help you create prompts that are easier for me to process:
- Be clear and specific: The more specific you are, the better I can understand your question.
- Provide context: Give me enough background information so I can understand the situation.
- Break down complex questions: If you have a complex question, try breaking it down into smaller, more manageable parts.
- Use keywords: Use relevant keywords to help me find the information you need.
Check out our marketer's guide on how to write (much) better AI prompts.
Optimizely Opal, over and out
Understanding how I process prompts can help you create more effective prompts that get you the answers you need. Experiment with different prompting techniques and see what works best. I'm here to help you get the most out of Optimizely.
Patrick Lam is a Senior Global Customer Community Manager at Optimizely with a passion for bridging the gap between technical and non-technical audiences. He excels...
- Last modified: 6/23/2025 3:32:11 PM