How to Create a Google API Key for Text-to-Speech (TTS)

VoicePen AI uses Google Cloud Text-to-Speech (TTS) as an optional feature to convert text into natural-sounding speech. This guide shows you how to create a Google API key and connect it to the extension.

1. Create a Google Cloud Account

To use Google Text-to-Speech, you need a Google Cloud account.

Go to the official Google Cloud console:
Google Cloud Console

Sign in with your Google account and accept the terms if prompted.

2. Create a New Project

Every API key belongs to a project.

• Click the project dropdown at the top bar

• Select “New Project”

• Give it a name (e.g., VoicePen TTS)

• Click Create

3. Enable the Text-to-Speech API

Now you need to enable the Google Text-to-Speech API.

Go here:
Enable Text-to-Speech API

• Make sure your project is selected

• Click Enable

Google may ask you to enable billing. This is required for API usage.

4. Create an API Key

Now generate your API key:

• Go to: Google Credentials Page

• Click “Create Credentials”

• Select “API Key”

• Copy your API key

Important:

• Restrict your API key for security (recommended)

• Do not expose it publicly

• Do not commit it to GitHub

5. (Recommended) Restrict Your API Key

For safety and cost control, you should restrict your key.

• Go to Credentials page

• Click your API key

• Under API restrictions, select:

  • Restrict key

  • Choose Cloud Text-to-Speech API

6. Add API Key to VoicePen AI Extension

Now connect your Google TTS API key:

Steps inside the extension:

• Open VoicePen AI extension

• Go to Settings

• Find Google TTS API Key

• Paste your API key

• Click Save

Once saved, VoicePen AI can use Google’s neural voices for text-to-speech.

7. Troubleshooting

“API key not valid”

• Make sure you copied the full key

• Ensure Text-to-Speech API is enabled

“Permission denied”

• Check billing is enabled

• Verify API restrictions allow TTS

No audio output

• Check internet connection

• Ensure extension has the correct key saved

Final Notes

Google Text-to-Speech provides high-quality voice synthesis and is completely optional in VoicePen AI. Once configured, it allows the extension to generate natural-sounding speech from text in real time.