Follow these steps to create and secure a Google Cloud Translation API key.

Step 1: Create a new project

1. Go to the Google Cloud Console.
2. Log in with your Google account.
3. Click the Project Dropdown in the top-left corner (next to the Google Cloud logo).
   
4. Click New Project in the top-right of the pop-up window.
   
5. Enter a name (e.g. Joomla-Auto-Translate) and click Create.
   
6. Important: make sure the new project is selected in the dropdown menu before continuing.
   

Step 2: Set up billing (required)

Google requires a linked credit card or bank account to activate APIs, even if you stay within the "Free Tier" limits.

1. Open the main menu (≡) in the top-left corner and select Billing.
   
2. Click Link a billing account or Manage billing accounts.
3. Follow the prompts to enter your payment information.

Step 3: Enable the Translation API

The API key won't work unless the "Cloud Translation" service is turned on.

1. In the top search bar, type "Cloud Translation API".
   
2. Select the result under "Marketplace" or "APIs".
3. Click the blue Enable button.
   

Step 4: Create your API key

1. Go to APIs & Services > Credentials in the sidebar menu (≡).
2. Click + CREATE CREDENTIALS at the top and select API key.
   
3. A pop-up shows your key (starting with AIza...). Copy it for later use.
   

Step 5: Secure your key (recommended)

To prevent unauthorized use and unexpected costs, restrict your key to this API only.

1. In the Credentials list, click the Name of the key you just created.
   
2. Under API restrictions, select Restrict key.
3. Click the "Select APIs" dropdown, search for Cloud Translation API, and check the box.
   
4. Click OK, then click Save.

Step 6: Add the key to Joomla

1. Log in to your Joomla backend.
2. Go to System > Manage > Plugins and open System - Autolanguage.
3. Open the Service & API tab.
4. Set Translation Service to Google Translate API.
5. Paste your key into the Google API Key field.
   
6. Save & Close.

Usage & costs at a glance