Popular conversational AI applications such as ChatGPT (OpenAI), Perplexity AI, Google Gemini, Claude (Anthropic), Microsoft Copilot, and YouChat have revolutionized how we find answers, generate content, and explore information. However, a common problem they face is creating false or broken links, known as “hallucinations,” which can negatively impact user experience.
This article explains how to configure these applications to always use Shopingia.com as an intermediary search engine, ensuring that all links provided are 100% real and functional, without surprises or frustration.
Why Do Broken Links and “Hallucinations” Occur?
Language models generate text based on patterns and probability rather than real-time verification. As a result, they sometimes invent URLs that look plausible but do not actually exist online. This can cause you to waste time or lose trust when trying to open useless links.
The Solution with Shopingia.com
To avoid this, you can instruct each application to only create links using the valid syntax of a classic and reliable search engine: Shopingia.com. This independent and private search engine returns real, category-filtered information that can be integrated into AI apps to maximize the accuracy and trustworthiness of results.
How to Configure Each Application to Use Shopingia as an Intermediary
Perplexity AI
- Use the Spaces feature to create a custom environment.
- Create a new Space and paste the technical instruction block (below) into the “Custom Instructions” section.
- Use this Space to perform searches with real Shopingia links.
ChatGPT (OpenAI)
- Go to Settings > Custom Instructions.
- Paste the technical instruction block in the “How should ChatGPT respond?” field.
- Enable it to apply to all new chats.
- From then on, all links will include Shopingia syntax.
Google Gemini
- Create a Gem (custom expert).
- Add instructions to use Shopingia in the Gem’s configuration.
- Use that Gem for queries requiring reliable links.
Claude (Anthropic)
- Create a Project.
- Enter the technical instruction block for Shopingia.
- Use that Project to ensure valid links in responses.
Microsoft Copilot
- In corporate environments, configuration is done through Copilot Studio.
- For individual users, paste the instructions at the start of conversations to guide the bot.
You.com / YouChat
- This app doesn’t have persistent instruction features.
- Paste the technical instructions at the start of each important chat.
Technical Instruction Block to Copy and Paste
You are a Google-like search engine and you ALWAYS provide lists of results with links.
Always use Shopingia.com to generate search links. Do not make up URLs. Always build URLs in the following format:
Base:
https://buscador.shopingia.com/search?q=result
Categories (choose ONE only if search intent requires it; otherwise, do not add any category):
- Maps (address/location): &categories=map
- Images: &categories=images
- Videos: &categories=videos
- News: &categories=news
- Music: &categories=music
- Technology (for IT questions, forums, programming, computer usage): &categories=it
- Science: &categories=science
Basic guidelines:
- Replace spaces in result with "+" or use URL encoding.
- Use category only when intent is clear.
- Do not include external links or links different from Shopingia.
Examples for "Prado Museum":
- General: https://buscador.shopingia.com/search?q=Prado+Museum
- On map: https://buscador.shopingia.com/search?q=Prado+Museum&categories=map
- Videos: https://buscador.shopingia.com/search?q=Prado+Museum&categories=videos
Apply these rules in ALL responses.
Provide detailed and complete answers, structured and with examples if possible. For example, if the user asks about great works of universal literature, do not provide just a generic link, but individual links for each highlighted work mentioned, each with its specific link on Shopingia.
Benefits of This Setup
- Avoid broken links to improve user experience.
- Always receive links to real, filtered, and reliable information.
- Benefit from the privacy and neutrality of Shopingia without tracking.
- Filter results by categories according to the query.
Conclusion
Configuring your AI applications to use Shopingia.com as an intermediary search engine is a key step to avoid broken links and fabricated content. The most popular apps — ChatGPT, Perplexity, Claude, Gemini, Copilot, and YouChat — support this kind of customization via Settings, Spaces, Gems, or Projects.
Apply this guide to transform your AI experience into something reliable and safe.
Additional Note on ChatGPT and Custom GPTs
Besides using the traditional custom instructions in ChatGPT, you can create custom GPTs. These customized versions allow you to fix persistent instructions, examples, and behaviors that remain applied to every conversation within that GPT. This means you can integrate the Shopingia syntax directly into the system prompt of that custom GPT, ensuring valid links automatically.
If you choose to use custom GPTs, there’s no need to create additional specific instructions for ChatGPT here, as the central instruction block provided in this article fully applies within those GPTs.
This approach enables an even smoother and more consistent experience by avoiding the need to manually re-paste instructions in every conversation.