---
title: How to Create a Google Books API Key for WordPress (Step by Step)
description: "A Google Books API key is required to use Books Gallery's automatic book import feature - which lets you import complete book data (title, author, cover, description) into your WordPress site using just an ISBN number. This guide shows you…"
url: "https://books-gallery.com/docs/create-google-api-key/"
updated: "2026-06-14"
category: Import Export Books
tags:
  - Books Import
  - google api key
  - google books api
  - google cloud console
  - import books
  - isbn import
---

# How to Create a Google Books API Key for WordPress (Step by Step)

A Google Books API key is required to use Books Gallery's automatic book import feature - which lets you import complete book data (title, author, cover, description) into your WordPress site using just an ISBN number. This guide shows you exactly how to create a free Google Books API key in under 5 minutes. Once set up, you can import hundreds of books into your WordPress digital library without any manual data entry.

You can create a Google Books API key from the [Google Cloud Console](https://console.cloud.google.com/) in a few minutes.

 

### 1. Open Google Cloud Console

Go to → [Google Cloud Console](https://console.cloud.google.com/)

Login with your Google account.

 

![Google Cloud Console homepage for creating Google Books API key for WordPress](https://books-gallery.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/google-cloud-console-homepage.webp)

 

### 2. Create a Project

At the top:

- Click the project dropdown
- Click **New Project**
- Enter a name

Example:

`Books Gallery API`

Then click **Create**.

 

![Creating a new project in Google Cloud Console for Books Gallery WordPress plugin API key](https://books-gallery.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/google-cloud-console-create-new-project.webp)

 

### 3. Enable Google Books API

Open → [Google API Library](https://console.cloud.google.com/apis/library)

Search for → **Books API**

Open it and click → Enable

 

![Enabling Google Books API in Google Cloud Console API Library for WordPress book import](https://books-gallery.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/google-books-api-library-enable.webp)

 

### 4. Create Credentials

Go to → [Credentials Page](https://console.cloud.google.com/apis/credentials)

Click → Create Credentials

Choose → API Key

Google will generate a key like:

`AIzaSyAxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx`

 

![Creating API key credentials in Google Cloud Console for Google Books API WordPress integration](https://books-gallery.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/google-cloud-console-create-api-key-credentials.webp)

 

### 5. Restrict the API Key (IMPORTANT)

Click the created key.

**Application Restrictions**

Choose one:

**For Website**

`HTTP referrers`

Add your domain:

`https://your-domain.com/*`

 

![Restricting Google Books API key to specific domain and Books API in Google Cloud Console](https://books-gallery.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/google-api-key-restriction-settings-wordpress.webp)

 

### 6. Restrict API Usage

Under:

`API restrictions`

Choose:

`Restrict key`

Select:

`Books API`

This prevents other Google services from using your key.

 

💡 Once your API key is created, go to your WordPress admin → WBG Books → General Settings → Google API Key field and paste it there. You can then import any book instantly using just its ISBN number - no manual data entry required.

 

![Pasting Google Books API key into Books Gallery WordPress plugin settings for book import](https://books-gallery.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/books-gallery-google-api-key-settings-wordpress.webp)

 

This Google Books API key WordPress setup is a one-time process - once configured you never need to repeat it.

Once your API key is set up, you're ready to start importing books. Read our complete guide: [How to Create a Digital Library in WordPress →](/how-to-create-digital-library-wordpress/)

Want to see all Books Gallery features? [View the full features list →](/wordpress-book-gallery-plugin-features/)