Setting Up Your Google Maps API Key

Step 1: Create a Google Cloud Account

  1. Visit Google Cloud.
  2. Click on the “Get Started for Free” button to create an account.
  3. Follow the prompts to create your Google Cloud account.

Step 2: Create a New Project

  1. Once logged in, navigate to the Google Cloud Console.
  2. Click on the project dropdown at the top and select “New Project”.
  3. Enter a project name and click “Create”.

Step 3: Enable Billing

  1. In the Google Cloud Console, go to the menu and select “Billing”.
  2. Follow the instructions to set up a billing account. You will need to enter your payment information.

Step 4: Enable Google Maps APIs

  1. In the Google Cloud Console, go to the “API & Services” dashboard.
  2. Click on “Enable APIs and Services”.
  3. Search for the following APIs and enable each one:
    • Maps JavaScript API
    • Geocoding API
    • Places API
  4. Click on each API and then click the “Enable” button.

Step 5: Get Your API Key

  1. In the “API & Services” dashboard, go to “Credentials”.
  2. Click on “Create Credentials” and select “API Key”.
  3. Copy the API key that appears.

Step 6: Restrict Your API Key (Optional)

  1. In the “Credentials” section, click on your API key.
  2. Under “API restrictions”, select “Restrict key” and choose the APIs you enabled.
  3. Under “Application restrictions”, select the appropriate restriction (HTTP referrers, IP addresses, etc.).

Step 7: Add Your API Key to Athena SEO PRO

  1. Log into your WordPress admin dashboard.
  2. Navigate to “Settings” > “Athena SEO PRO”.
  3. Paste your API key into the “Google Maps API Key” field and save changes.