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Prompt review guide

Why Is My Prompt Not Working?

Diagnose the common reasons an AI prompt fails: vague goals, missing context, conflicting constraints, no output format, and weak examples.

Direct answer

A prompt usually fails because it asks for a vague outcome, hides important context, gives conflicting constraints, omits the output format, bundles too many tasks together, or lacks examples for the pattern you expect. Fix one variable at a time: clarify the task, add context, define the output, then test again on the same input.

Open Improve My Prompt

When to use this

  • The answer is generic even though the topic is specific.
  • The model ignores part of the instruction.
  • The output shape changes every run.

Steps

  1. Write down the exact failure: wrong facts, wrong format, wrong tone, missing detail, or refusal.
  2. Remove unrelated instructions so one task remains.
  3. Add the missing context and output format.
  4. Replace vague words with measurable constraints.
  5. Retest and keep a before/after note for the next prompt version.

Example review

Prompt
Analyze this report and tell me what matters. Be concise but detailed. Include everything important. Make it executive friendly.
Review focus
Failure pattern: conflicting constraints and no output contract. Replace with a defined shape: 5 bullets max, each with finding, evidence, business impact, and recommended action. Add the audience and decision the executive needs to make.

Common mistakes

  • Do not fix every prompt issue at once if you need to know what worked.
  • Do not ask for concise and comprehensive without defining priority.
  • Do not leave the output format implied.

FAQ

Why does the model ignore my instructions?
The prompt may be too broad, contradictory, or missing a clear output contract. Long prompts also bury important rules if they are not structured.
Why does the output format keep changing?
The prompt likely describes the task but not the output shape. Add headings, JSON fields, table columns, or a concrete example.
Should I rewrite the whole prompt?
Not always. First diagnose the failure, then change the smallest section that explains it.

Related prompt guides

ChatGPT Prompt Review Checklist

Review a ChatGPT prompt for role, context, task, constraints, output format, examples, audience, and grounding before testing it again.

System Prompt Review Checklist

Review a production system prompt for scope, tool rules, refusal behavior, output contract, private-data handling, and eval coverage.

Prompt Reviewer vs Prompt Optimizer

Decide whether to critique an existing prompt with Improve My Prompt or rewrite a rough idea with the AI Prompt Optimizer.

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