ChatGPT plugin rankings now favor tools users keep using, TechRadar says

The report notes that ChatGPT's growing collection of plugins has often seemed more useful than it actually felt. Many integrations received one exciting demonstration before being forgotten, and the long directory made every option look equally promising. The author recalled installing plenty of plugins that seemed clever for about seven minutes. The ranking update was designed to help users find options that had proven their staying power.

One such plugin is Spotify. Once connected, it can use a user's listening history, favorite artists, and habits to suggest music, find podcasts, and build playlists. The author highlighted its ability to handle detailed conversational requests, such as asking for a 75-minute Saturday kitchen-cleaning playlist that starts with indie rock, increases energy after 20 minutes, avoids songs played heavily in the past month, and ends with three ridiculous singalongs. The plugin can also help rediscover artists from five or ten years ago, and allows tweaking individual tracks or renaming the result before opening it in the Spotify app.

The AllTrails plugin helps turn a vague desire to spend time outside into a shortlist of hikes that match practical limits. Users can describe their location, maximum driving time, preferred distance, acceptable elevation gain, and any requirements involving children, dogs, shade, accessibility, or parking. The author offered an example prompt asking for three loop hikes within 45 minutes, between two and four miles, with less than 700 feet of elevation gain, prioritizing recent positive reviews and parking that does not require arriving at dawn. Follow-up prompts can compare routes, suggest the best choice for a hot day, or identify the gentlest opening mile. The author still checks recent reviews, closures, weather, and official routes before leaving, but called the plugin a great trip planner, especially for group hikes.

Todoist's plugin is for turning a collection of thoughts into a concrete plan without the fiddly work. After connecting an account, a user can describe an overloaded Saturday and ask the plugin to put errands in a sensible driving order with a realistic time schedule. The author recommended asking for a preview first to avoid overcommitment. The plugin is also useful for recurring household tasks, such as reminders for changing filters, checking smoke alarms, renewing documents, or ordering supplies.

FitAI Pro focuses on planning gym workouts and logging sets. Based on a user's experience level, available equipment, preferred number of training days, and maximum time spent at the gym, it generates a set of workouts that match. The plugin also lets users specify movements they dislike or need to avoid.