F! Insights Setup: Connect Google and Anthropic API in 15 Minutes
You have F! Insights installed. You need two API keys and one shortcode, and your site will be running a live local business scanner. Here is the exact sequence, in order.
In This Article
Step 1: Get Your Google Places API Key
- Go to console.cloud.google.com. Sign in or create an account.
- Click the project dropdown and select New Project.
- Go to APIs and Services, then Library. Enable Places API (New) and PageSpeed Insights API.
- Go to Credentials. Click Create Credentials, select API Key. Copy the key.
Important: F! Insights makes server-side calls. Do not use HTTP referer (Website) restrictions on this key. Set restrictions to None or to IP addresses. Referer restrictions will cause scans to fail.
Step 2: Get Your Anthropic API Key
- Go to console.anthropic.com and create an account.
- Under Billing, add a payment method.
- Click API Keys in the left navigation.
- Click Create Key. Name it. Copy it immediately. The full key is only shown once.
Step 3: Enter Both Keys in Plugin Settings
- In your WordPress admin go to F! Insights, then Settings, then API Config.
- Paste your Google Places API key into the Google field.
- Paste your Anthropic API key into the Anthropic field.
- Set the Report Model to Claude Haiku 4.5 for cost-efficient scanning at roughly $0.01 to $0.03 per scan.
- Set the Admin Intelligence Model to Claude Sonnet 4.5 for pitch generation and market analysis.
- Click Save. F! Insights validates both keys on save and displays a confirmation.
Step 4: Add the Shortcode to a Page
- Create a new WordPress page.
- Add a clear, specific headline: “Find Out How Your Google Business Profile Compares to Your Competitors.”
- Add one sentence explaining what the visitor will get.
- Paste the shortcode:
- Publish the page. Keep it focused. Nothing else should compete with the scanner for the visitor’s attention.
Step 5: Run Your First Scan
Enter a local business name and city you know well. Within 60 to 90 seconds F! Insights returns a scored report across eight categories: Online Presence, Customer Reviews, Photos and Media, Business Info, Competitive Position, Website Performance, Local SEO Signals, and Page Speed.
To learn more about the full client workflow behind this, visit Client Content Calendar With Funnel Mapping. How to Read a Geogrid and Build a Local SEO Action Plan and Run a Keyword Content Sprint for a Local SEO Client cover adjacent steps in detail.
Check the competitor section. Confirm the named competitors are real businesses in the right location. If competitor results look off, adjust the scan radius in Settings.
What the API Usage Costs
| Cost Driver | Typical Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Google Places API per scan | $0.005 to $0.02 | Varies by data fields returned |
| PageSpeed Insights API | Free | No cost per request |
| Claude Haiku 4.5 per scan | $0.01 to $0.03 | Recommended for Report Model |
| Claude Sonnet 4.5 per task | $0.03 to $0.08 | Recommended for Admin Intelligence |
| Combined cost per scan | $0.01 to $0.05 | Typical all-in cost for a full scan |
Google provides $200 per month in free API credits for new accounts. You pay Google and Anthropic directly at their published rates. F! Insights applies no markup.
Quick Troubleshooting
| Symptom | Most Likely Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| No competitor data in report | Scan radius too small or no competitors in range | Increase scan radius in Settings |
| API validation fails on save | Key has HTTP referer restrictions or billing not enabled | Remove website restrictions; confirm billing is active on both consoles |
| Scan starts but never completes | WP-Cron not running or API timeout | Check Debug Logs under F! Insights for error details |
| AI analysis section is blank | Anthropic API key invalid or quota exceeded | Regenerate the key in console.anthropic.com; check billing limits |
For a broader walkthrough of how to use F! Insights as a lead generation system, see How to Add a Free SEO Audit Tool to Your WordPress Site.