Why an API Key?
BeatOps uses Google Image Search via SerpAPI to find artist photos for your thumbnails. This requires a SerpAPI key so searches can run on your behalf. The free plan includes 100 searches per month, which is enough for most producers.
Setup
-
Create a free account
Go to serpapi.com and sign up. -
Select the Free plan
The free tier includes 100 searches per month at no cost. -
Go to Account > API Key
Find your API key in the account dashboard. -
Copy your private key
Copy the full API key string. -
Paste in BeatOps
Open Settings > API Keys and paste your SerpAPI key.
Smart Caching
BeatOps caches image search results per artist. If you use the same artist name across multiple beats, the cached images are reused without consuming additional API searches.
Tip: Keep your artist names consistent across beats (e.g., always use "Metro Boomin" not "Metro" or "MetroBoomin") to get the most out of caching.