This feature is available in the Premium plan.
Smart SEO uses OpenAI as its default AI provider. By adding your own API key, you can choose from multiple providers and models - OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google - giving you more control over content generation while also removing the monthly quota limit within Smart SEO.
⚠️ When using your own API key, you will be charged by your chosen provider for every AI generation. This is separate from your Smart SEO subscription - the cost depends on your AI provider's subscription plan and the selected language model. Make sure you have an active billing method and sufficient credits in your provider account before getting started, especially before running large bulk tasks.
To get started, go to Settings → AI Settings and select your preferred provider under AI Provider.
Paste your API key and click Verify. Once verified, you can select a model from the dropdown menu below.
OpenAI
You can get your OpenAI API key from platform.openai.com/api-keys. You'll need an active billing method or credits in your account before the key can be used. Copy/paste the API key and verify it.
Anthropic
You can get your Anthropic API key from console.anthropic.com. Just like with OpenAI, you can choose the model as well.
Select Google as your provider, paste your API key in the Google API Key field, and click Verify. You can get your Google API key from aistudio.google.com.
Each provider offers multiple models to choose from. If you're not satisfied with the quality of the generated content, try switching to a different model and compare the results. Keep in mind that AI is a powerful tool for generating content, but it still has its limitations - always review the output before applying it to your store.
Troubleshooting your API key
If verification fails, here are the most common reasons:
Invalid key - double-check that you copied the full key without any extra spaces.
No credits or billing method - make sure your account is active and funded before trying again.
Insufficient permissions - make sure your key has permission to make API calls.
If none of the above resolves it, try generating a new API key from your provider's dashboard and paste it in again.
2. If verification was successful, but a bulk AI task fails or only partially completes, the issue is most likely your API key's rate limit. Every AI provider assigns a rate limit to their API keys, controlling how many requests can be made within a given time window. New or free-tier keys start with very low limits, which is fine for single generations but can cause problems with bulk tasks. Rate limits generally increase automatically as you spend more with the provider over time.
You can check your current limits here:
OpenAI - platform.openai.com → Settings → Limits
Anthropic - console.anthropic.com → Settings → Limits
Google - aistudio.google.com → API keys → project quotas
We recommend upgrading your API plan with your chosen provider to increase your rate limits.
FAQ
Question: Do I need my own API key to use AI features in Smart SEO?
Answer: No. Smart SEO uses OpenAI by default and includes a monthly quota. You only need your own API key if you want to remove that quota limit or use a different provider or model.
Question: Will I be charged extra for using my own API key?
Answer: Yes. When you use your own key, your AI provider (OpenAI, Anthropic, or Google) will charge you directly for every generation. This is separate from your Smart SEO subscription. Make sure your provider account has an active billing method and sufficient credits before getting started.
Question: My API key verification failed. What should I check?
Answer: The most common causes are: copying the key incorrectly (extra spaces or missing characters), no active billing or credits in your provider account, or insufficient permissions on the key. If none of those apply, generate a new key from your provider's dashboard and try again.
Question: How can I test if an issue is with my API key?
Answer: Switch back to the default AI generator in Settings and rerun the task. If it completes successfully, the issue is with your API key. If not, contact our support.
Question: Which AI providers and models does Smart SEO support?
Answer: Smart SEO supports OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google. Each provider offers multiple models to choose from. If you're not happy with the output quality, try switching to a different model and compare results.