How to Get Free Akismet API Key in WordPress

How to Get Free Akismet API Key in WordPress. Akismet is the popular WordPress plugin that helps to prevent web spam. It was developed by Automattic Inc and is also known as A Kismet (Automattic Kismet). Although it works under GPL license, the algorithm used in Akismet has not been released.

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Why to use Akismet Plugin ?

Most of the comments posted on your blog are SPAM and if there is no Akismet plugin, then you have to manually approve legit comments and have to trash spam comments, which is quite difficult task.

Also Check: How to Setup and Activate Akismet Anti-Spam Plugin in WordPress

How to Get Free Akismet API Key for WordPress blog ?

Akismet comes pre-installed with WordPress and you need to activate it manually, by entering an API key. Here is the step-by-step guide that helps to get a free Akismet API key.

Go to Akismet Signup Page and select personal plan.

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Fill in your details (name, email etc) and in the right-section select $0.00/year by dragging the pointer. Click on continue button to proceed further.

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Your Akismet subscription will be activated and the API key will be mailed to you.

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Check your mail and you can see the API key.

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Now, open Akismet options page from WordPress Dashboard.

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Enter that API key and click on “Update Options” button.

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Voila, you have successfully activated Akismet for free.
Never share your Akismet API key with others, its just like a password.

When to get Commercial API key for Akismet ?

Akismet TOS (Terms of Service) allows you to use free API key for personal blogs only. If you have a blog that generates income more than 500$, then you need to get commercial API key for Akismet. Till then you can use the free API Key without any hurdles.

Final Words on Akismet Plugin

Many criticize that Akismet marks some legit comments as SPAM, this is because if any webmaster of a blog has manually marked your comment as spam then comments made by you on other blogs with same email address will be automatically filtered as spam by Akismet.

In this case you have to contact the webmaster and have to request to approve your comments or can also use another email address while making comments.

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