AI Parameters & Settings
What is Top-P?
Top-P (nucleus sampling) is an AI parameter that controls output diversity by limiting token selection to the smallest set of tokens whose cumulative probability exceeds a threshold. At Top-P 0.9, AI only considers tokens representing the top 90% of probability, ignoring unlikely outliers.
Understanding Top-P
When AI generates text, it calculates a probability for every possible next word. Some words are highly likely, others are possible but unusual, and some are extremely unlikely. Top-P works by cutting off the long tail of unlikely options.
Imagine AI is choosing the next word and has these probabilities: "beautiful" (40%), "stunning" (30%), "lovely" (15%), "gorgeous" (10%), "resplendent" (3%), "pulchritudinous" (2%). At Top-P 0.9, AI would only consider "beautiful," "stunning," and "lovely" (totaling 85%), plus "gorgeous" to exceed 90%. The rare words are excluded entirely.
For real estate professionals, Top-P is an advanced parameter you'll rarely need to adjust directly. Most AI interfaces handle this automatically, and temperature provides sufficient control for typical use cases. Understanding Top-P helps when you need precise control over output consistency.
The Top-P Scale
Only the most likely tokens considered. Highly predictable, potentially repetitive.
Best for: Factual summaries, technical content, legal language
Good variety while excluding unlikely tokens. Natural-sounding output.
Best for: Listing descriptions, emails, general content
More variety allowed while still filtering extreme outliers.
Best for: Marketing copy, social media, brainstorming
All tokens considered regardless of probability. Maximum randomness possible.
Best for: Experimental or when combined with low temperature
Top-P vs Temperature: What's the Difference?
Temperature
- Adjusts probability distribution of all tokens
- Higher = unlikely tokens become more likely
- Can produce very unexpected outputs
- Like turning a "creativity dial"
- More intuitive for most users
Top-P
- Cuts off tail of unlikely tokens
- Lower = fewer tokens in consideration
- Prevents extreme outlier selections
- Like setting a "consideration boundary"
- More predictable control over randomness
Which Should You Use?
Most AI interfaces use one or the other, and temperature is more common. For real estate content, temperature alone provides sufficient control. Top-P becomes valuable in API usage or advanced configurations where you want diversity without the risk of very unlikely (potentially nonsensical) word choices.
Top-P for Real Estate Content
While you'll rarely adjust Top-P directly, understanding its effect helps you interpret AI behavior:
Listing Descriptions
Top-P: 0.85-0.9
Allows varied vocabulary while avoiding unusual word choices
Contract Summaries
Top-P: 0.5-0.7
Focused selection for consistent, professional language
Social Media Captions
Top-P: 0.9-0.95
More variety for engaging, fresh-sounding content
Market Analysis
Top-P: 0.7-0.8
Balanced for professional yet readable reports
Practical Note: Most agents won't need to adjust Top-P. Standard ChatGPT and Claude interfaces don't expose this setting. It becomes relevant if you're using AI APIs directly or building custom tools.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Top-P and temperature together?
Technically yes, but it's generally not recommended. Using both can create unpredictable interactions. Most best practices suggest adjusting one parameter while keeping the other at defaults. If using Top-P, set temperature to 1.0; if using temperature, set Top-P to 1.0.
Why is it called "nucleus sampling"?
The "nucleus" refers to the core set of high-probability tokens. Just as an atom's nucleus contains most of its mass, the probability nucleus contains most of the likelihood mass. Sampling only from this nucleus produces more predictable results than considering all possible tokens.
Does Top-P affect AI hallucinations?
Lower Top-P values can reduce certain types of errors by preventing the selection of unlikely tokens. However, hallucinations aren't just about word choice—they involve factual inaccuracies in the AI's knowledge. Top-P is not a cure for hallucinations, but lower values promote more conservative outputs.
Where can I adjust Top-P settings?
Top-P is typically available in: OpenAI API (Playground and programmatic access), Claude API, custom GPTs (sometimes), and some advanced AI interfaces. Standard ChatGPT and Claude consumer apps don't expose this setting—they use optimized defaults.
Sources & Further Reading
Master AI Parameters
Learn when and how to adjust AI settings for optimal real estate content. Our workshop covers practical parameter tuning alongside advanced prompting techniques.
View Programs