Connecting a ByTheWeb API Key unlocks the cloud-powered AI features available through ByTheWeb AI and enables supported Fix with AI actions inside ByTheWeb GEO.
You do not need an API Key simply to install the plugins or use their local features.
Connect an API Key when you are ready to use supported AI-assisted features and the complete AI Audit experience.
What Does the API Key Unlock?
A connected ByTheWeb API Key enables supported cloud AI features including:
- AI FAQ Generator
- AI-assisted image metadata generation
- Fix with AI actions available through ByTheWeb GEO
- Perplexity and Claude in addition to ChatGPT and Gemini in the AI Audit
- Your connected plan, credit balance, and account information inside WordPress
AI-powered actions use credits according to the feature being used.
For a full explanation, see:
Where Do I Connect the API Key?
In your WordPress dashboard, open:
ByTheWeb AI > API Connection & Credits
At the top of the screen you will see the API Key field.
If no API Key is currently connected, the page also displays the current free signup offer and a Get Free API Key button.
Starting with ByTheWeb AI 1.9.5, new installations can also connect the API Key during the Getting Started setup. In the Connect ByTheWeb AI step, you can create an account if needed, paste your API Key, and click Connect & Verify. The same domain verification is performed before the API Key is saved.
Get a Free API Key
From:
ByTheWeb AI > API Connection & Credits
click:
Get Free API Key
The ByTheWeb registration page will open with your current website domain already included.
The current free signup offer is displayed directly in the plugin and registration flow, so you can always see the available credits and trial terms before registering.
No credit card is required for the free trial.
Create Your ByTheWeb Account
If you do not already have a ByTheWeb account, complete the registration form.
Your account is used to manage:
- API Keys
- Connected domains
- AI credit plans
- Billing
- Extra Credits
- Account information
If you already have an account, log in instead of creating another account.
You can also access your existing account directly through:
Your API Key Is Connected to Your Domain
A ByTheWeb API Key is associated with the website domain registered for it.
This is an important security and account-control feature.
When WordPress attempts to save an API Key, ByTheWeb verifies both:
- The API Key
- The website domain making the request
An API Key created for one unrelated domain cannot simply be copied to a different website.
If the API Key is invalid or does not match the website domain, ByTheWeb will reject the connection and the invalid key will not replace your currently saved key.
For information about moving, changing, or removing a connected domain, see:
Changing / Removing a Connected Domain
Copy Your API Key
After registration is completed, the ByTheWeb Cloud screen displays:
API Key Ready
Your API Key is shown in a protected field.
Use Copy API Key to copy it.
You will also receive an email containing your API Key details.
Keep the API Key private. It provides authenticated access to the ByTheWeb Cloud services assigned to your website and should not be published on your site or shared publicly.
Paste the API Key into WordPress
Return to your WordPress dashboard and open:
ByTheWeb AI > API Connection & Credits
Paste the key into the:
API Key
field.
Then click:
Save
ByTheWeb will contact the Cloud service and verify the API Key against your current website domain.
If verification succeeds, the key is saved and your account becomes connected to the plugin.
When Does the Free Trial Start?
If you registered for the free trial, the trial does not begin simply because you completed the registration form.
The registration initially reserves the domain and creates the API Key.
The free trial starts when the API Key is successfully connected from the registered WordPress website for the first time.
At that point:
- The trial becomes active
- The trial credits are activated
- The trial period begins
- The domain is marked as having activated its free trial
This means you receive the full trial period from the time you actually connect the website.
Connect the API Key Within 5 Days
A new free-trial API Key should be connected to the registered WordPress site within 5 days of registration.
If the API Key is not connected during this activation window, the pending registration can expire and the reserved domain can be released.
If this happens, return to the registration flow and register the domain again if it remains eligible.
One Free Trial per Domain
The free trial is intended for first-time activation of a domain.
Once a domain has activated its free trial, creating another account or generating another API Key does not reset its free-trial eligibility.
If the domain has already used its trial, you can continue with one of the available paid AI credit plans.
For more information, see:
Plans, Billing & Credit Resets
How Do I Know the Connection Worked?
After a successful connection, the API Connection & Credits page begins displaying information associated with the connected account.
Depending on your current plan, this can include:
- Active Plan
- Billing period
- Credit Balance
- Monthly credit allowance
- Next credit reset or relevant plan date
- Extra Credits
- Available subscription options
The API Key field is also protected after it has been saved.
An Edit button is available if you need to change the saved key later.
What Happens to the AI Audit?
Without an API Key, the AI Audit provides access to ChatGPT and Gemini.
Once the account is connected, the complete supported AI Audit becomes available, including:
- ChatGPT
- Gemini
- Perplexity
- Claude
You do not need to enter the API Key into the public Website Scanner separately.
ByTheWeb AI securely identifies the connected website when launching the audit from WordPress.
What Happens in ByTheWeb GEO?
You do not need to connect a second API Key inside ByTheWeb GEO.
When both plugins are installed, ByTheWeb GEO can use the API Key connected through ByTheWeb AI for supported Fix with AI actions.
For example, depending on the content and available fields, Fix with AI can help generate supported items such as:
- AI Summary
- Short Answer
- FAQ Schema
- SEO Title when applicable
- Meta Description when applicable
ByTheWeb GEO’s normal local GEO, SEO, Schema, Sitemap, Breadcrumb, robots.txt, and LLM file functionality does not require AI credits.
The API connection is only used when you actively request a supported cloud AI action.
What If I Already Have a ByTheWeb Account?
You do not need to create another account.
Use the Account Management / Login link on the API Connection & Credits screen, or log in to your existing ByTheWeb Cloud account.
From your account you can review the API Keys and domains already associated with you.
If the website already has an API Key, copy the correct key for that domain and paste it into the WordPress plugin.
For more information about your account, see:
Managing Your ByTheWeb Account
What If the API Key Is Rejected?
If the key cannot be connected, first check that:
- The entire API Key was copied correctly
- You are using the API Key created for this website
- The registered domain matches the WordPress website
- The account or API Key has not been suspended
- The WordPress site can make outgoing HTTPS requests to the ByTheWeb Cloud service
The plugin may display a verification error when the API Key is invalid or does not match the current domain.
A temporary communication error can also occur if WordPress cannot reach the ByTheWeb Cloud service at the time of verification.
An unsuccessful verification does not silently replace a previously valid saved API Key.
For additional help, see:
or:
Can I Remove or Replace the API Key?
Yes.
The API Connection & Credits screen provides an Edit control for the currently saved key.
Removing the key disconnects that WordPress installation from the ByTheWeb Cloud account, but changing the key inside WordPress is not the same as deleting the API Key or domain from your ByTheWeb account.
Account-level changes should be managed carefully, especially if the domain has an active subscription, trial, or remaining credits.
See:
Changing / Removing a Connected Domain
Do I Have to Connect an API Key?
No.
You can continue using the local and manually managed ByTheWeb functionality without connecting to the Cloud service.
Connect the API Key when you want the AI generation and automation layer.
A simple way to think about it is:
ByTheWeb without an API Key:
Use the available local analysis, GEO, SEO, Schema, FAQ, Media, Sitemap, LLM, and other manual tools.
ByTheWeb with an API Key:
Keep those tools and add AI generation, automation, Fix with AI, and the complete supported AI Audit.
You remain in control of when AI-powered actions are used.