In short. Deep research reads from eligible connected apps and does not use their write actions during research.
Definition: Deep research is a read-only research workflow for connected services. OpenAI documents it as using available read actions from supported connected apps, while write actions belong to other supported app workflows.
Key facts
- OpenAI's deep research help page says that connected apps can provide research sources when the app, account and workspace make them available.
- The same documentation states that deep research uses available read actions from connected apps, with app write actions outside the research workflow.
- OpenAI's connected apps documentation describes ordinary app sessions as supporting actions such as creating or updating information when the app offers them.
- App permissions preserve the existing access scope. The connected app, the provider account and workspace controls determine the data and actions available to ChatGPT.
What can deep research do with a connected app?
Deep research can use supported connected apps as research sources. OpenAI's deep research help page gives document stores such as Google Drive and SharePoint as examples, alongside authenticated industry data services. An app must support deep research and be available to the account. Workspace enablement, role access, the connected provider account and the app's capabilities all affect availability.
The source boundary is read access. Deep research can retrieve information that the connected app exposes through its available read actions and use that information in a report. The help page places app write actions outside the research workflow. A research plan can therefore include material from an eligible connected service without turning the research task into an editing or publishing operation.
Why can a connected app still have write actions?
Connected apps have a wider product scope outside deep research. OpenAI's connected apps documentation describes apps as connecting ChatGPT to services such as Google Drive or Slack. Depending on the app, ChatGPT can search and reference information, use the app as a deep research source, interact with in-chat experiences, or take supported actions such as creating or updating information.
The permission choices documented for apps include the following:
Allow read actions
Allow low-risk actions
Allow all actions
These choices govern when ChatGPT asks before using access that the app already has. They preserve the app's existing capabilities and connected account scope. A write action therefore depends on the app's support, the provider authorization and workspace action controls, and it is separate from the read actions used by deep research.
What limits the information that deep research can read?
A connected account remains subject to the provider's permissions and the workspace's restrictions. OpenAI's account-connection guidance states that app connections respect both. The app also has to be available for the relevant plan, region, account, ChatGPT surface and workspace. An app that is installed or visible in ChatGPT can still be unavailable as a deep research source if it lacks deep research support.
The account choice matters when an app requires individual authorization. OpenAI instructs users to choose the provider account that already has access to the needed information. A personal account exposes only its own files, channels and records, while work-only information remains tied to the work account. A supported administrator-managed source can be available without an individual connection, while its workspace controls still apply.
Related terms
FAQ
Can you ask deep research to update a connected document?
No. OpenAI's deep research documentation says that research uses available read actions and places app write actions outside the research workflow. An app may support document updates in an ordinary ChatGPT workflow, subject to its own permissions and workspace controls.
Why is a connected app missing from deep research?
The app must support deep research and be available to your account and workspace. OpenAI's deep research documentation says that your plan, region, role, provider-account permissions and workspace settings can affect whether it appears as a research source.
Does connecting a personal account expose your work files?
No. OpenAI's account-connection guidance says that connecting a personal account does not provide access to files, channels or records available only to your work account. Connect the provider account that already has the required access.
Sources
- OpenAI Help Center, "Deep research in ChatGPT", undated
- OpenAI Help Center, "Connected apps in ChatGPT", undated
- OpenAI Help Center, "Connecting and managing app accounts in ChatGPT", undated
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