Documentation
API keys
Add the OpenRouter, Google Gemini, Google Maps, and Web Analytics credentials your chosen tools require.
PirateSERP includes search and ranking data with Pro and LTD access, so you add only the AI, Google Maps, and analytics credentials that your chosen tools require. Account Settings stores each key encrypted and shows only its last four characters after you save it.
Choose the required connection
| Tool or task | What you need |
|---|---|
| Service Atlas research | OpenRouter key and a saved Preferred LLM. |
| Content Editor AI writing, Article Writer, Entity SEO Auditor, Content Alignment rewrites, Product Optimizer, Product Roundup, and GPTs | OpenRouter key and a saved Preferred LLM. Every one of these tools runs on that model. |
| E-E-A-T Analysis | No key for the graded report. The optional AI review requires an OpenRouter key and a saved Preferred LLM. |
| Content Alignment analysis | Google Gemini key. |
| Content Alignment rewrites | OpenRouter key, in addition to the Gemini key. |
| Business Search | Google Maps key with Places API (New) enabled. |
| Web Analytics | A connected Google account or a Google service account key, a Bing Webmaster Tools key, or both, saved in the active project. Ask about this report also requires an OpenRouter key and a saved Preferred LLM. |
| Keyword Research, Rank Tracker, GeoPin Generator, AI Visibility, Domain Overview, Backlinks, Topical Maps, Niche Insights, GBP Audit, and Content Editor People Also Ask (PAA) questions | No key. |
| Site Auditor, Sitemap Scraper, Internal Linking, Entity Home, Lexical Diversity, Entity Graph Viewer, and Schema Generator | No key. |
Provider usage can create charges in your provider account. PirateSERP access does not include your own OpenRouter, Google Gemini, or Google Maps charges.
Add OpenRouter
OpenRouter, an AI model marketplace, runs PirateSERP's writing, research, and chat features on your own key.
- Create a key in OpenRouter.
- Open Account Settings and find AI Provider API Keys.
- Paste the key under OpenRouter and click Save.
- Choose a model in Preferred LLM. The selector appears after you save your key.
Preferred LLM is the one model that every PirateSERP AI feature uses with your key: Article Writer, Content Editor rewrites, style reviews, outlines, briefs, meta descriptions, Entity SEO audits, Content Alignment rewrites, the product tools, Service Atlas research, and chat. AI features stop and ask you to choose a model until you save one.
The selector lists Free models first, then Paid models, each in alphabetical order. A free model costs nothing, but OpenRouter limits how many requests it accepts per minute, so long jobs such as Article Writer can stop with a rate-limit message. Choose a paid model when a job keeps hitting that limit.
Account Settings holds one OpenRouter key. To use a different OpenRouter account, remove the saved key and save the new one.
OpenAI and Anthropic models are available through OpenRouter. Account Settings has no separate OpenAI or Anthropic key field.
Add Google Gemini
Create a key in Google AI Studio, then save it under Google Gemini in AI Provider API Keys.
Content Alignment requires this key for analysis. An OpenRouter model does not replace it.
Add Google Maps
Create a key in a Google Cloud project with Places API (New) enabled, then save it under Google Maps (Places API) in AI Provider API Keys.
The Google Cloud project must have billing enabled for the requests you make. Restrict the key to Places API (New), the API that Business Search calls.
Connect Web Analytics
Web Analytics credentials belong to one project, so open Web Analytics with the correct project active.
- Click Connect Google to grant read-only Search Console and Analytics access for the project.
- Save a key under Bing Webmaster Tools in Web Analytics setup to add Bing data.
- Use Advanced: Google service account key only when you cannot connect a Google account. A connected Google account takes priority over this key.
Follow the Web Analytics guide to choose properties and enter matching site identifiers.
Replace a key or fix a failed request
Remove a saved key with its remove button, then add the replacement. Account keys live in AI Provider API Keys; project credentials live in Web Analytics setup.
When a request fails, check three conditions: the required key is saved, the selected model is available, and the provider account has credit or quota. Product Optimizer names the cause when OpenRouter reports that your key is out of credits, rejected, or rate-limited. Removing a key does not remove previously saved results.