9.2. Signing Up and Google's Terms

Signing up for a Google Web API developer's key is simple. First, create a Google account. The only requirements are a valid email address and a made-up password.

Not only will you be able to use the Google Web API, but also participate in Google Answers (http://answers.google.com/answers/main), volunteer to translate Google into other languages for the Google in Your Language program (https://services.google.com/tc/Welcome.html), and post to Usenet through Google Groups [Chapter 4].

You will, of course, have to agree to Google's Terms and Conditions (http://www.google.com/apis/download.html) before you can proceed. In broad strokes, this says:

• Google exercises no editorial control over the sites that appear in its index. The Google API might return some results that you might find offensive.

• The Google API may be used for personal, non-commercial use only. It may not be used to sell a product or service or to drive traffic to a site for the sake of advertising sales.

• You can't noodle with Google's intellectual property marks that appear within the API.

• Google does not accept any liability for the use of their API. This is a beta program.

• You may indicate that the program you create uses the Google API, but not if the application(s) "(1) tarnish, infringe, or dilute Google's trademarks, (2) violate any applicable law, and (3) infringe any third-party rights." Any other use of Google's trademark or logo requires written consent.

Once you've entered your email address, created a password, and agreed to the Terms of Service, Google sends you an email message to confirm the legitimacy of your email address. The message includes a link for final activation of the account. Click the link to activate your account, and Google will email you your very own license key.

You have signed in and generated a key; you're all set! What now? If you don't intend to do any programming, just stop here. Put your key in a safe place and keep it on hand to use with any cool third-party Google API-based services that you come across.