I would keep this page clean and focused, similar to Stripe or Anthropic’s authentication pages. Here’s a polished version.

---
title: Authentication
description: Learn how to authenticate with the SERPtag MCP Server using your API key.
icon: shield
---

Authentication

The SERPtag MCP Server uses API key authentication for every request. Before your AI assistant can access your projects and keyword rankings, you’ll need to create an API key from your SERPtag dashboard.

MCP Server https://mcp.serptag.com/mcp

Create an API Key

If you haven’t already created an API key, follow the guide below. 👉 Getting Started → Create an API Key Your API key will look similar to:

sk_live_xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Requirements:

Agency or Enterprise plan (2,500+ keywords)
One active API key per account

Authentication Methods

The SERPtag MCP Server supports three authentication methods depending on your AI application.

Bearer Authentication (Recommended)

This is the preferred method for applications that support remote HTTP MCP, including Cursor and VS Code.

HTTP Header

Authorization: Bearer sk_live_your_key_here

Cursor Example

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "serptag": {
      "url": "https://mcp.serptag.com/mcp",
      "headers": {
        "Authorization": "Bearer sk_live_your_key_here"
      }
    }
  }
}

X-API-Key Header

The SERPtag MCP Server also accepts an X-API-Key header.

X-API-Key: sk_live_your_key_here

This method is also supported by the SERPtag REST API.

Environment Variable

Applications that use the npm bridge, such as Claude Desktop, should store the API key as an environment variable.

{
  "env": {
    "SERPTAG_API_KEY": "sk_live_your_key_here"
  }
}

The local bridge automatically sends your API key as a Bearer token when communicating with the hosted SERPtag MCP Server.

Authentication Requirements

Every request is validated before data is returned.

Requirement	Details
API Key	Must be valid and active
Subscription	Active Agency or Enterprise plan
Plan Size	Supports 2,500 or more tracked keywords

Rate Limits

Each API key includes generous usage limits.

Limit	Value
Requests	1,000 requests per hour

The rate limit is shared across both the SERPtag MCP Server and the SERPtag REST API.

Security Best Practices

✅ Recommended

Store API keys in environment variables
Use a password manager to save your key
Revoke and regenerate keys if they’re ever exposed
Only share keys with trusted team members

❌ Avoid

Committing API keys to Git
Posting keys in public repositories
Sharing keys in emails or chat messages
Embedding keys directly into websites or frontend applications

Common Authentication Errors

Error	Solution
Missing API key	Add your API key using the Bearer header or `SERPTAG_API_KEY` environment variable.
Invalid or inactive API key	Generate a new API key from Settings → API Keys and update your MCP configuration.
MCP access requires Agency or Enterprise	Upgrade to a plan that includes 2,500 or more tracked keywords.
Subscription expired	Renew your SERPtag subscription before attempting to connect again.

OAuth Support

SERPtag currently authenticates using API keys only. OAuth authentication is planned for a future release but is not available today.

​Authentication

​Create an API Key

​Authentication Methods

​Bearer Authentication (Recommended)

​HTTP Header

​Cursor Example

​X-API-Key Header

​Environment Variable

​Authentication Requirements

​Rate Limits

​Security Best Practices

​✅ Recommended

​❌ Avoid

​Common Authentication Errors

​OAuth Support