SocialMint AI help
How to get your API key
An API key (also called an API key) is a long password-like code that lets SocialMint AI use an AI company's service on your account. You pay that company directly for what you use; the cost depends on how much you make. SocialMint AI never sees your bill. Your key is saved in your browser. It passes through our server with each request, but we never save it.
Which key do I need?
Start with one key from OpenAI or Google Gemini. Either one writes posts, chats and makes images. You can add others later.
| What you want to do | Keys that work |
|---|---|
| Write posts, hashtags and chat | OpenAI, Google Gemini or Claude |
| Make and edit images | OpenAI or Google Gemini |
| Voice-over for short videos | OpenAI, Google Gemini or ElevenLabs |
| Veo AI video clips | Google Gemini only |
| Motion video (Pro and Bundle plans) | Claude |
Keep your key safe
- Treat the key like a bank PIN. Anyone with it can spend money on your AI account.
- Never email it, post it or share it with anyone, including us. Our support team will never ask for it.
- Set a monthly spending limit with the AI company if it offers one, so you are never surprised by a bill.
- If you think someone else has your key, delete it on the AI company's website and make a new one.
Option A: OpenAI key
- Go to platform.openai.com and sign up or log in. This is separate from a ChatGPT subscription: you need a platform account.
- Add a payment method and some credit in the billing section. OpenAI keys do not work until the account has credit.
- Open the API keys page (platform.openai.com/api-keys).
- Click the button to create a new secret key. Give it a name such as "SocialMint AI".
- Copy the key straight away. It starts with
sk-. OpenAI shows it only once. - In SocialMint AI, go to Settings, paste it into OpenAI API key and click Save OpenAI Key.
Option B: Google Gemini key
- Go to aistudio.google.com and sign in with a Google account.
- Open the API keys page (aistudio.google.com/apikey).
- Click the button to create an API key. If Google asks, pick or create a project.
- Copy the key. It starts with
AIza. - Some Gemini features, such as images and Veo video, need billing turned on for that project. If the app says your account has no billing access, set up billing in Google AI Studio and try again.
- In SocialMint AI, go to Settings, paste it into Google Gemini API key and click Save Google Gemini Key.
Option C: Claude key (needed for motion video)
- Go to console.anthropic.com and sign up or log in. This is separate from a Claude.ai subscription.
- Add a payment method and buy some credit in the billing section.
- Open API keys in the console settings and create a new key.
- Copy the key. It starts with
sk-ant-. - In SocialMint AI, go to Settings, paste it into Claude API key and click Save Claude Key.
Check that it works
- In Settings, under Provider by activity, choose the AI company for each job. An option that shows "(no key)" has no key saved yet.
- Click the test button, for example Test OpenAI Key. The line under it says whether the key works.
If you see "Your active provider key was rejected", the key was copied wrongly or deleted: make a new one. If you see "Your active provider account has no remaining credits or billing access", add credit or billing with the AI company.
The AI companies change their websites from time to time. If a button has a different name, look for "API keys" in their menu, or email admin@ankor.co.za and tell us which step looks different.