What is a Google API Key?

A Google API key is a unique code that Google gives you to use its services, such as the YouTube Data API, the Google Maps API, and the Google Places API. This key lets you use Google services on your website, like Google Maps, Google reviews, and YouTube videos, using Elementor widgets from Premium Addons. In this tutorial, we will show in details how to get a free Google maps API key.

Why Do You Need a Google API Key for Premium Addons?

For the following Premium Addons apps, you need the Google API key:

1. Maps Widget: This is a free widget in Premium Addons for Elementor that lets you show live Google Maps on your site.
2. Video Box Widget: Adds YouTube playlists or channel movies to your website. It’s also included in the free version of Premium Addons.
3. Google Reviews Widget: This is a pro widget that gets the reviews from your Google business and show them on your Elementor page.

How to Get an API Key from Google?

To make a Google API key, do these things:

1. Visit the Google Cloud Console.
2. Click on the button that says, “Get Started.”

• Use the information for your Google Account to log in.
  • You’ll need to set up a Billing Account if this is your first Google account.
  • Google services need to be paid for, but new users get a $300 free trial.

• After setting up your account, click the “Finish” button.

• After you choose the country, you’ll be asked to agree to Google Cloud Platform terms of service.

You can try Maps APIs for free. For Google Maps APIs, you can get $200 every month for free. Get an extra $300 to use on any Cloud package for 90 days.

• Set up your payment information.

Step 1: Start a new project.

1. In the menu bar at the top, click the dropdown next to “Project.” It will say “Select a project” if no projects have been made yet.
2. A message box will show up. Press “New Project.”
3. Type a Project Name (for example, “My Website API Project“) into the Create Project box.
4. Pick your Billing Account. If this is your first time, Google will ask you to set this up.

Step 2: Turn on APIs that are needed

• Go to APIs & Services > Library in the menu on the left.

• Find the following APIs and turn them on:
  • Maps JavaScript API (the Premium Maps Widget needs this)

• Places API (the Premium Google Reviews Widget needs this)

Tip: If you want to learn more about the various APIs, you can look at Google’s API Library documentation.

Step 3: Generate an API key

1. From the menu on the left, go to APIs & Services > Credentials.
2. When you’re done, click “Create Credentials” and then “API Key.”
3. To use the API key in your apps, copy it.

Tips on how to keep your API key safe

Do these things to keep your API key safe from people who shouldn’t have it:

1. Go to APIs & Services > Credentials to limit who can use your API key.
   • Choose your API key and set up Application Restrictions to make sure that it can only be used by certain IP addresses or websites (HTTP referrers).
   • You can limit APIs so that they can only do what you need them to do, like the Maps JavaScript API, the Places API, or the YouTube Data API v3.
2. Always regenerate your key:
   • Change your API keys every so often to lower the risk of someone using them without your permission.
3. Use of Monitor:
   • In the Google Cloud Console, turn on API tracking to keep an eye on how it’s being used and spot any strange behavior.

Visit Google’s API Key Best Practices to learn more about how to keep your API keys safe.

What ways could the API key for your Premium Addons be used?

• Fill in Elementor Google Reviews Widget API key field with your unique API key.

• For Elementor Google Maps Widget
  • Go to the WP Dashboard and click on Premium Addons. Then, click on Integrations tab.
  • Paste your API key into the Google Maps API Key box.

Final Step: Activate and Enjoy!

Once you’ve added the API key, your widgets can show Google Maps, customer reviews, and YouTube movies, which will make your website more useful.

Need More Help?

For complete direction, see the official Elementor Google Maps Integration Documentation.

If you still need any further assistance, feel free to contact Premium Addons support team. We would be more than glad to help!