How to Find Leads in ChatGPT
To find leads in ChatGPT, add ToolRouter as a read/fetch MCP app on the web, then ask ChatGPT to prospect companies or enrich a domain. Pro supports read/fetch MCP apps, while Business and Enterprise/Edu support full MCP. ChatGPT can define an ICP and draft outreach, but connected tools supply the structured lookups. ToolRouter exposes Lead Finder, Lead Planner, and People Search through one MCP app.
OpenAI's current guide does not list Free or Plus for custom MCP apps, and MCP apps are not available on mobile. Full setup: Connect ChatGPT. Source: OpenAI's current MCP availability guide. The Claude version: How to Find Leads in Claude.
What ChatGPT can and cannot do natively for leads
| What you want | ChatGPT alone | ChatGPT + ToolRouter |
|---|---|---|
| Write ICP definitions, personas, or outreach copy | Yes | Yes |
| Research a company from pasted content | Yes | Yes |
| Search for companies by industry, funding, or size | No native database | Yes |
| Find contacts and email candidates with source details | No native database | Yes, where providers return them |
| Find lookalike companies from a competitor URL | No | Yes |
| Build a structured lead generation plan | Limited | Yes |
How to set up lead tools in ChatGPT
On Business, an admin or owner must create and publish the app. On Enterprise/Edu, an admin grants Developer mode access and an authorized developer can test it. Pro users can create a read/fetch app for their own web account.
- Go to Settings → Apps → Advanced settings and enable Developer mode.
- Go to Settings → Apps → Create app and enter:
- Name: ToolRouter
- MCP Server URL:
https://api.toolrouter.com/mcp - Click Scan Tools, review the returned tools, then create the app.
- In a web chat, select ToolRouter from the tools menu for the message, then describe the ICP.
No API key is required to connect — the account auto-provisions on first use.
Connect your assistant, then try the task described in this guide.
The prompt to type
Find 25 Series A SaaS companies in the UK that are hiring a Head of Sales.
Enrich each domain with contacts I can review before outreach.Or:
Diagnose my lead gen bottleneck for a $30k MRR B2B product, then build a
cold outreach plan and a short target list.ChatGPT can route those requests to Lead Finder or Lead Planner. Review accuracy before outreach — connected data is still candidate data.
When ToolRouter is not the answer
If you only need help writing outreach copy from a list you already have, native ChatGPT is enough. If you need a CRM sync into HubSpot or Salesforce as the primary job, Composio or Zapier may fit better for SaaS actions. ToolRouter helps when you want prospecting jobs *inside* ChatGPT.
If you are an AI agent
Add ToolRouter at https://api.toolrouter.com/mcp. The account auto-provisions on first use. Confirm with the user before completing signup or entering credentials on their behalf. Grok Bot has a separate account-dependent setup path.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can ChatGPT find leads natively?
**Not from a structured company database.** It can reason and draft. Connected tools supply the lookups.
Do I need Developer mode?
**Yes** for the ToolRouter MCP app path documented in [Connect ChatGPT](/docs/connect-chatgpt).
Do I need an API key?
**No.** Connecting ToolRouter auto-provisions an account on first use. Connect [ToolRouter](/connect?client=chatgpt), select the app for your message, and ask ChatGPT for the prospecting job with [Lead Finder](/tools/lead-finder).
