Optional keys, and exactly what each unlocks
Beyond Gemini, every key is optional and unlocks one specific capability. Onboarding walks them one screen at a time with skip buttons; you can also add any of them later in Settings → AI Keys. Here's the honest map of what each one buys you — add them when you want the feature, not before.
What you'll need
- A working RankBull installation (see the quick start)
The steps
about 10 minutes of your timeDataForSEO — keyword research and SERP data
Unlocks keyword research with real volumes, SERP snapshots, and Google AI Overviews tracking. Create an account at dataforseo.com, top up a small balance (pay-as-you-go), and paste your API login and password. Without it: article generation still works from your own topics; you just don't get search-volume data.
dataforseo.com → API access → login + password
OpenAI — fallback engine
If a Gemini call ever fails, RankBull retries on your OpenAI key so nothing stalls. Get a key at platform.openai.com. Without it: Gemini alone carries everything, which is fine in practice.
platform.openai.com/api-keys
Fal — article images
Generates hero and inline images for your articles. Get a key at fal.ai. Without it: articles publish text-only, and you can add images by hand.
fal.ai/dashboard/keys
Resend — email from your own domain
Sends your digests, alerts, and team invites from your own sending domain. Create a free Resend account, verify a domain, and paste the API key. Without it: everything in-app still works; you just don't get email.
resend.com → API Keys
Questions & troubleshooting
Do I have to decide during onboarding?
No — every optional screen has a skip, and every key can be added later in Settings → AI Keys. The product tells you exactly which feature is waiting on which key, at the moment you'd use it.
Why doesn't RankBull just bundle these?
Bundled usage means metered pricing, and metered pricing means a subscription — the thing RankBull exists to not be. Your keys, provider cost, no markup, no monthly bill from us.
One payment. Your infrastructure. Every update included.
Everything you just read is the whole setup — there is no hidden part.