Initial Setup

Creating a Google Maps API key

8min
overview when the wp go maps is configured to us the google maps engine, a google maps api key is required this article covers two options for obtaining a google maps api key option 1 using our cloud api key https //docs wpgmaps com/creating a google maps api key# ojkq (easiest) option 2 creating a google maps api key automatically https //docs wpgmaps com/creating a google maps api key#nbfhf (technical) setup general prerequisites the following plugin/s need to be installed and active wp go maps wp go maps pro add on (optional) engine specific prerequisites google maps engine this guide covers obtaining an api key to to be used with the google maps engine option 1 using our cloud api key for standard users navigate over to our cloud api key purchase page https //www wpgmaps com/get a google maps api key/ and get an api key with the click of a button option 2 creating a google maps api key automatically for technical users navigate over to the google maps platform and get a google api project setup automatically for your site the key creation process follows 3 steps step 1 if you are already logged into a google account, the new api key will be created against this account, you are able to switch accounts at this first step if required once you have read and accepted the terms, select continue step 2 enter your contact number to verify contact information step 3 set up your billing information please note, your card is used to verify that you're not a robot don't worry, it won't be charged until you manually upgrade to a paid account when your trial ends and you do upgrade your account, we encourage you to set up budgets and budget alerts to help you monitor your api key usage so that you do not accidently exceed your free $200 monthly credit (or the budget you specify) for assistance setting up budget alerts please consult the following resource https //cloud google com/billing/docs/how to/budgets https //cloud google com/billing/docs/how to/budgets there is no charge to try maps apis you get $200 monthly credit at no charge for google maps apis you also get an extra $300 credit to try for any google cloud product for 90 days copy the key and paste it into the wp go maps plugin please select the copy key button and paste this key in the following location in the wp go maps plugin wp go maps > settings > advanced settings > google maps api key please remember to save settings we strongly suggest once you have created your api key that you protect it from unauthorized use please see the following guide for protecting your google maps api key from unauthorized use setting up website restrictions (http referrers) docid 0kh0diln17yd8gzgixujz