Academy
7. Connecting Your Own API Keys
Add personal provider API keys in Settings to unlock additional sources and use your own quotas.
Deep Research queries multiple providers — web, academic, news, and specialized — in parallel, then cross-checks findings into a single sourced report. By default, these queries run on the platform's own quotas. However, some providers can also run with your personal API keys. When you add a key for a given provider in Settings, two things happen: (1) that provider's usage shifts to your own account and quota, and (2) you may unlock providers that your current OUPI plan does not include by default. This is especially useful if you already pay for a premium data source and want Deep Research to tap into it without extra platform cost.
The Settings page for Deep Research is organized per provider. Each provider slot shows a field where you can paste your API key. Once saved, that provider will use your key for every future research session you launch. You can add keys for as many providers as you like — or just one. Providers without a personal key will continue to run on the platform's default quotas (subject to your plan's limits). You can also remove or update a key at any time; the change takes effect on the next session you launch.
Before adding a key, check the rate limits and billing terms on the provider's own dashboard. Since using your own key shifts provider costs to your account, you want to make sure your plan there can handle the volume Deep Research may generate — especially if you use Select All sources on broad questions.
You don't need to add keys for every provider. A good strategy: add keys only for the specialized or premium sources you already subscribe to, and let the platform handle the rest. This way you extend coverage without duplicating costs.
Open Settings (Deep Research → Settings). Pick one provider you have an external API key for, paste the key into the corresponding field, and save. Then go back to the main Deep Research page, type a test question, select that provider among your sources, and launch. Confirm the session runs successfully using your own quota.
Once your key is saved, the provider it unlocks appears as a selectable source just like any other when you set up a new research session. There is no visual difference at launch time — you simply select it alongside web, academic, or news sources. The resulting report cites all sources inline, so you can verify which provider contributed what. If a key is invalid or expired, the provider may fail during the session; you can then open the session from History and use Try Again after fixing the key in Settings.
Adding your own API keys in Deep Research Settings lets you (1) use personal quotas instead of the platform's, (2) unlock providers not included in your plan, and (3) control costs on a per-provider basis. Keys are saved per provider, take effect on the next session, and can be updated or removed anytime. Always verify your external plan's rate limits, and remember that the report will cite every source inline regardless of whether it ran on your key or the platform's.