---
updatedAt: 2025-08-05T19:39:12.000Z
agentTools:
  projectIndex: https://docs.customgpt.ai/llms.txt
---

# Conversation retention period

This step-by-step guide explains the Conversation Retention Period feature, which allows you to manage how long user conversations are stored for security, privacy, and compliance purposes.

## Conversation retention period

The **Conversation Retention Period** allows you to automatically delete conversations after a specified time, helping you comply with internal data policies and external regulations such as GDPR.

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## Available retention options

CustomGPT offers the following retention period settings:

* **Custom** – Define a specific retention period in days.
* **12 months** – Delete conversations automatically after 12 months.
* **Never** – Keep conversations indefinitely.

These options allow organizations to strike a balance between operational needs and data protection obligations.

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## Retention settings by subscription plan

1. **Standard users:** Queries are automatically deleted after 12 months.
2. **Premium and Custom Plan users:** Can choose one of the following:

* 12 months
* Custom (enter a number of days)
* Never (retain all conversations indefinitely)

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## Default setting

Default setting for all new agents is 12 months.

> 📘 Note:
>
> This setting is especially useful for organizations with compliance or regulatory requirements related to data lifecycle management.

To learn how to configure this setting at the agent level, see [Manage conversation retention period](https://docs.customgpt.ai/docs/set-your-conversation-retention-period).