Well in only a matter of hours after my post on Back Link Analyzer I have had a few people ask, "just how to you get a Google API Key" and given it has been so long since I got mine I forgot how screwed up Google is about this if you already have an account. Everyone who asked me how has an existing Google account by the way.
Now why is this a pain in the butt to get the key well because apparently the folks at Google did not really think the api page though
Here is what you do go to http://www.google.com/apis/ you will see all types of wonderful information about the API Key and what it can do and an invitation to set up an account. You can then set up your google account if you don't have one yet. All you do is set up your account and because you came through the API portion of the Google site they will send you an api key when you sign up. No real troubles there.
Now for those who have an existing Google account.
You will notice on the api key page there is nothing about creating an api key such as something simple like "click here to create an api key"
Nope that would be too simple so the only thing you see to click on is create an account which you already have!
So if you search for "create a google api key" on google you will find this URL www.api.google.com/create key yet it will just take you to the create an account page like some twisted circle set up just to annoy you. Of course you can't set up an account because you already have an account and that would violate the terms and condition by having two accounts (heaven forbid you do that and get banned). All you want is your API key but Google just mocks you!
Of course no one at Google seems to of had the foresight to have put a link on said page that says something like "existing account holders click here to sign in and get your API key".
Now doesn't this make you wonder how a company as successful as Google could do something this confusing?
So if you have a Google account and you want to get an api key added to it just how the heck do you do it?
Only way I can see to get it done is this
1. Go to https://www.google.com/accounts/ and log into your google account
then
2. Go to www.api.google.com/create key after you have logged in during the same browser session and Google will recognize you as being logged in and create and email your key to you.
Now is it just me or does this seem to be overly complicated? Perhaps someone should point this out to Matt Cutts?
Jack Spirko
Search Engine Marketing Specialist
The MasterLink Group, Inc
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