How to configure your own AI model API

Firefly Sky SEO includes built-in AI credits, so connecting your own AI provider is optional. Use your own provider only when you want to use your own account balance, select a particular model, or process more content with your provider’s quota.

Text model and image model

A model can be excellent at writing but unable to understand images. For Image Alt Text Optimizer, choose a model whose provider says it supports image input or vision.

Step 1: Get an API key

Choose one provider. You do not need an account with every provider.

• OpenAI: Create a key at platform.openai.com/api-keys.
• Anthropic: Create a key in the Anthropic Console.
• Google Gemini: Create a key in Google AI Studio.
• xAI Grok: Create and manage keys at console.x.ai.
• Alibaba Cloud Qwen: Create a key in the Model Studio console.
• DeepSeek: Create a key at platform.deepseek.com/api_keys. DeepSeek is intended for text tasks in Firefly Sky SEO.
• Another provider or relay service: Choose Custom in Firefly Sky SEO and use the connection details supplied by that service.

Some providers require you to add funds, enable billing, select a region, or request access to a model before the key can be used.

Step 2: Open AI model settings

1. In Shopify admin, open Apps > Firefly Sky SEO.
2. Open Settings.
3. Stay on the General tab and find AI Model Configuration.
4. Configure the Text model and Image model separately.

Step 3: Use a listed provider

1. Select the provider.
2. Paste the provider’s key into API Key.
3. Use the suggested model, or enter a different model name when your provider tells you which model to use.
4. Save the settings.

Firefly Sky SEO already knows the official connection address for listed providers. You do not need to enter an API address for them.

Step 4: Use Custom for another provider

Select Custom and enter the following details exactly as your provider supplies them:

• API Key: The secret key issued by the provider.
• Model: The model name or model ID shown in the provider’s documentation or dashboard.
• API address: The API address supplied by the provider. This is not the provider’s home page or account dashboard address.

If you are unsure which value to use, search your provider’s help center for “API address”, “Base URL”, or “endpoint”, then copy the value exactly. Do not try to rebuild or shorten the address yourself.

Step 5: Configure the image model

1. Select a provider and model that support image understanding.
2. Enter the API key. You may use the same key as the text model when both models are under the same provider account.
3. For a custom provider, copy its model name and API address exactly.
4. Save the settings.

If the provider offers several models, check its model description for words such as vision, image input, or multimodal. A text-only model cannot generate reliable image Alt text.

Step 6: Test before a large job

1. Generate one meta description to test the text model.
2. Optimize one image Alt text to test the image model.
3. Check that the result uses the language selected in Firefly Sky SEO.
4. Start a larger batch only after both tests succeed.

A one-item test can quickly reveal an incorrect key, insufficient balance, unavailable model, or missing image capability before a long batch begins.

Common errors

Security and billing

• Firefly Sky SEO stores configured API credentials in encrypted form.
• Your provider may charge for each request. Review its balance, limits, and spending controls.
• Deleting or disabling a key in the provider dashboard immediately prevents Firefly Sky SEO from using that key.
• If you prefer not to manage API keys or provider billing, reset the custom configuration and use Firefly Sky SEO credits.