A Gemini API key lets an app use Google's Gemini AI models on your behalf. Google gives one away free, with daily limits, and you don't need a credit card. This guide walks through getting one, keeping it free, and fixing the usual problems. It's also how you run Ticker Council for free.
What you need
- Any Google account (a normal Gmail account is fine).
- About two minutes.
Step by step
- Open Google AI Studio's API key page at aistudio.google.com/app/apikey. Sign in with your Google account if it asks; it comes straight back to the key page.
- Click "Create API key" (top right). If it asks about a Google Cloud project, let it create one for you. The first time, you may need to accept Google's terms.
- Copy the key. New keys usually start with
AQ.. Paste it wherever the app asks for it. On Ticker Council that's Settings → API keys → Google (Gemini), and the key is checked as soon as you save it.
That's it. There's nothing to install.
Keeping it free
- Don't add billing to the Google project the key belongs to. While a project has no billing set up, it stays on the free tier, and you can't be charged.
- Free means limits. The free tier has a cap on requests per minute and per day, which resets daily (at midnight Pacific time). When it runs out, apps get an error until it resets.
- Busy times. Free-tier requests can be turned away when Google's servers are busy, often on weekday afternoons in the US. Waiting a few minutes usually fixes it.
- Privacy note. On the free tier, Google may use what's sent through the key to improve its products. Don't send anything private through it. (Ticker Council only sends stock data and prompts, never your name or email.)
Keeping it safe
- Treat the key like a password. Anyone who has it can use your quota.
- Don't paste it into public places like GitHub, Discord or screenshots.
- If it leaks, delete it on the same page in AI Studio and create a new one. The old one stops working at once.
Fixing common errors
"API key not valid" or the key is refused
The most common cause is a key made in the Google Cloud Console instead of Google AI Studio, in a project where the Gemini API isn't switched on. The fix: go to aistudio.google.com/app/apikey, create a new key there, and use that one instead.
"Quota exceeded" or the daily limit is used up
You've hit the free tier's daily limit. It resets at midnight Pacific time. If you hit it often, a second free provider as a backup helps: on Ticker Council you can add a free Groq key, and the Council switches to Groq's free models when Gemini is busy or out of quota.
"Model overloaded" or the service is busy
Google is turning away free-tier requests for a moment. Try again in a few minutes.
Using it with Ticker Council
Ticker Council's free plan runs all twelve AI analyst seats, the debate and the verdict on your own free Gemini key. With only free keys, Free Mode turns on by itself so every seat uses them. Free answers are a bit weaker than paid models, and the site tells you what you give up in Settings → Models and cost. Whatever model answers, a run is research, not financial advice.
Questions
Is the Gemini API free?
Yes, Google offers a free tier with daily limits and no credit card required. You stay on the free tier as long as the project the key belongs to has no billing set up.
Where do I get a Gemini API key?
In Google AI Studio, at aistudio.google.com/app/apikey. Sign in with any Google account and click Create API key.
Why was my Gemini API key refused?
Usually because it was made in Google Cloud Console in a project without the Gemini API switched on. Make a new key in Google AI Studio instead and use that.
When does the free Gemini limit reset?
Daily, at midnight Pacific time.