Skip to main content

ChatGPT Integration

Copy for LLM

Learn how to integrate Apify Actors with ChatGPT to provide web context in real-time.

The ChatGPT integration enables you to connect ChatGPT to Apify's extensive library of Actors through the Model Context Protocol (MCP). This allows ChatGPT to use Apify tools and Actors directly in conversations, providing real-time web data access and automation capabilities.

In this tutorial, you'll learn how to connect ChatGPT to the Apify MCP server using a custom connector.

Prerequisites

Before connecting ChatGPT to Apify, you'll need:

  • An Apify account - Sign up for an Apify account, if you don't have one.
  • Apify API token - Get your API token from the Integrations section in Apify Console. This token authorizes the MCP server to run Actors on your behalf. Make sure to keep it secure.
  • An OpenAI account with access to ChatGPT - You need an OpenAI account to use ChatGPT.
  • ChatGPT with Developer Mode enabled - You must enable Developer Mode to add custom connectors.

Enable developer mode in ChatGPT

You must enable Developer Mode in ChatGPT to add custom connectors like the Apify MCP server. When Developer Mode is active, the message input box is outlined in orange.

Create an MCP connector

  1. In ChatGPT, go to Settings → Apps & Connectors → Create. If you don't see the Create button, enable developer mode or reload the page.

  2. Fill in the following fields:

    • Name – a user-facing title, e.g., apify-mcp
    • Description – a short description of what the connector does
    • MCP Server URL – choose one of the following:
      • https://mcp.apify.com — use the default set of Apify tools
      • https://mcp.apify.com?tools=actors,docs,mtrunkat/url-list-download-html — use specific tools (See mcp.apify.com for details.)
    • Authentication – OAuth, you don’t need to provide a client ID or secret.

ChatGPT Create connect

ChatGPT currently cannot change selected tools after connector creation

At the moment, ChatGPT does not allow modifying the selected tools after the connector is created. If you need to add or remove tools later, you’ll need to create a new connector.

If you try to use a connector with social media scrapers like Instagram or TikTok, you may see the error: "Something went wrong with setting up the connection." This error typically occurs for social media scrapers like Instagram, TikTok, etc. But you can still use these Actors with ChatGPT by including them when initially setting up the connector.

Authorize access

Click Create to proceed to the authentication page. You’ll be redirected to the Apify website to authorize ChatGPT to access your Apify account. Ensure you're logged into the correct Apify account before approving access.

Once authorized, you’ll return to ChatGPT and see a success message with a list of tools available from the Apify MCP server.

Try the MCP connector in ChatGPT

Once your connector is ready:

  1. Open a new chat in ChatGPT.

  2. Click the + button near the message composer and select More.

  3. Choose your Apify MCP connector to add it to the conversation.

  4. Ask ChatGPT to use Apify tools, for example:

    “Search the web and summarize recent trends in AI agents”

You’ll need to grant permission for each Apify tool when it’s used for the first time. You should see ChatGPT calling Apify tools — such as the RAG Web Browser — to gather information.

ChatGPT Apify tools

Use any Actor with ChatGPT

You can use any Apify Actor with ChatGPT. By default, the Apify MCP server exposes a set of tools that lets you search and use Actors directly.

Example query:

"Find and run an Actor that scrapes Instagram profiles, and get the profile of @natgeo"

Limitations

  • MCP integration in ChatGPT is still in beta and may have some limitations or bugs.
  • Tool selection and execution can be slow, especially with the latest GPT models.
  • Custom connectors are only available in ChatGPT Developer Mode.

Resources