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Stick to the Facts

Learn how to write prompts that keep Omnifact focused on real information and prevent it from creating details that aren’t accurate.

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The Core Principle

Sometimes AI creates information that sounds believable but isn’t actually true or based on your materials. This includes made-up statistics, fictional details, or confident answers about things it doesn’t actually know. The solution is simple: Always tell Omnifact to stick to the information you provide and say when it doesn’t know something. To provide this information, you can copy and paste text or attach files directly to your message. If cloud storage integrations are enabled, you can import documents from Google Drive, OneDrive, or SharePoint using the attachment menu. In Spaces, the AI can also retrieve from Uploaded Files and Connected Sources. When you use these techniques, you:
  • Get more reliable answers for important business decisions
  • Avoid spreading incorrect information to colleagues or clients
  • Build appropriate trust in AI-generated content
Use this pattern for factual accuracy:
Example:
“Using only the information in this report, summarize the key findings. If any important details are missing, say so clearly. REPORT: [your document]“

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Grounding Strategies for Accurate Answers

When working with sensitive information or company documents, use these grounding techniques to ensure the AI sticks strictly to verified facts:

Provide Explicit Constraints

Tell the agent directly in your prompt:
  • “Answer using only the information in the attached files.”
  • “If the document does not contain the answer, say ‘I cannot find this information in the document.’”
  • “Do not make assumptions or extrapolate beyond what is explicitly stated.”

Use Spaces with Uploaded Files

For shared team documentation, create a dedicated Space and upload your reference files. Set the Space’s Chat Instructions to require strict document grounding for all team interactions.

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Helpful Phrases to Keep Responses Accurate

Use these phrases to keep Omnifact focused on facts:

Set Clear Boundaries

  • “Using only the information provided…”
  • “Based solely on this document…”
  • “If the answer isn’t in the content, say so”
  • “Don’t guess beyond what’s written”

Encourage Honesty

  • “If you’re not certain, say so”
  • “Only answer what you can verify”
  • “Tell me when information is missing”
  • “If unclear, ask for clarification”

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Real Examples You Can Use

“What are the latest trends in our industry and how do they affect our strategy?”
“Based on the market research I’m providing, identify industry trends mentioned and their potential impact on our strategy. If you need additional recent information not in these documents, let me know.
RESEARCH DOCUMENTS: [your research]”

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Common Mistakes That Lead to Made-Up Information

Problem: Requesting details that aren’t in your materials
Instead of: “What’s our customer satisfaction score?” (when you haven’t shared survey data)
Try: “What does this customer survey data tell us about satisfaction levels?”
Problem: Asking for forecasts without past information
Instead of: “What will our sales be next quarter?”
Try: “Based on these past 4 quarters of sales data, what trends do you see?”
Problem: Asking for advice without your specific context
Instead of: “What are the best marketing strategies for SaaS companies?”
Try: “Based on our company profile and these market research documents, which marketing approaches might work best for us?”

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When It’s Still Not Working

Be more explicit about boundaries:
  • Add “Don’t assume standard practices not mentioned”
  • Use “If this information isn’t provided, state that clearly”
  • Try “Limit your analysis to only what’s documented”
Ask Omnifact to cite sources:
  • “For each point, tell me which section of the document it comes from”
  • “Quote relevant sections to support your analysis”
  • “Point to specific data from the materials provided”
Explicitly ask for limitations:
  • “Clearly state any assumptions you’re making”
  • “Tell me what additional information would be needed”
  • “Point out any sections that are unclear or could be interpreted differently”
When Omnifact says “I don’t have enough information to answer that accurately,” that’s actually good—it shows the AI is being careful rather than making things up.

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When to Be Extra Careful

Watch out for these situations where made-up information is more likely:
  • Requests for specific statistics without providing data sources
  • Questions about recent events or current market conditions
  • Requests for industry benchmarks without providing reference materials
  • Legal or compliance questions without specific documentation
  • Technical specifications not provided in your materials
For critical business decisions, financial analysis, legal matters, or compliance issues, always double-check AI responses with appropriate experts and authoritative sources.

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