---
title: "Google Cloud Translation API Key"
date: 2026-02-03
author: "Jeroen Moolenschot"
---

# Google Cloud Translation API Key

Follow these steps to create and secure an API key for use in Joomla or other translation applications.

 
### Step 1: Create a New Project

 
1. Go to the [Google Cloud Console](https://console.cloud.google.com/).
2. Log in with your Google account.
3. Click the **Project Dropdown** in the top-left corner (next to the Google Cloud logo).  
![google api 01](https://www.joomill-extensions.com/images/documentation/autolanguage/google-api-01.png)
4. Click **New Project** in the top-right of the pop-up window.![google api 02](https://www.joomill-extensions.com/images/documentation/autolanguage/google-api-02.png)
5. Enter a name (e.g., `Joomla-Auto-Translate`) and click **Create**.  
![google api 03](https://www.joomill-extensions.com/images/documentation/autolanguage/google-api-03.png)
6. **Important:** Ensure the new project is selected in the dropdown menu before proceeding.  
![google api 04](https://www.joomill-extensions.com/images/documentation/autolanguage/google-api-04.png)

---

 
### 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**.  
![google api 05](https://www.joomill-extensions.com/images/documentation/autolanguage/google-api-05.png)
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 specific "Cloud Translation" service is turned on.

 
1. In the top search bar, type: **"Cloud Translation API"**.  
![google api 06](https://www.joomill-extensions.com/images/documentation/autolanguage/google-api-06.png)
2. Select the result under "Marketplace" or "APIs".
3. Click the blue **Enable** button.  
![google api 06](https://www.joomill-extensions.com/images/documentation/autolanguage/google-api-07.png)

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### Step 4: Create Your API Key

 
1. Navigate to **APIs & Services** > **Credentials** via the sidebar menu (≡).
2. Click **+ CREATE CREDENTIALS** at the top and select **API key**.  
  
![google api 08](https://www.joomill-extensions.com/images/documentation/autolanguage/google-api-08.png)
3. A pop-up will appear with your key (starting with `AIza...`). Copy this key for later use.  
  
![google api 09](https://www.joomill-extensions.com/images/documentation/autolanguage/google-api-09.png)

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### Step 5: Secure Your Key (Highly Recommended)

 To prevent unauthorized use and unexpected costs, you must restrict your key.

 
1. In the Credentials list, click the **Name** of the key you just created.  
![google api 10](https://www.joomill-extensions.com/images/documentation/autolanguage/google-api-10.png)
2. Under **API restrictions**, select **Restrict key**.
3. Click the "Select APIs" dropdown, search for **Cloud Translation API**, and check the box.  
  
![google api 11](https://www.joomill-extensions.com/images/documentation/autolanguage/google-api-11.png)
4. Click **OK**, then click **Save**.

 
> **[Visual: Screenshot showing the "Restrict key" radio button and the API selection dropdown]**

 
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### Step 6: Integration in Joomla

 
1. Log in to your Joomla Backend.
2. Navigate to **Plugins** > **System - Autolanguage**.
3. Open the **Service & API** tab.
4. Select Google Translate API 
5. Paste your key into the **Google API Key** field.  
![google api 12](https://www.joomill-extensions.com/images/documentation/autolanguage/google-api-12.png)
6. **Save & Close**.

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### Usage & Costs at a Glance

 
| **Usage Volume** | **Estimated Cost** |
| --- | --- |
| First 500,000 characters / month | **Free** |
| Every 1 million characters after | ~$20.00 |