---
title: "DeepSeek API key"
description: "Add your DeepSeek API key to score mentions: where to get the key, model options and costs, and troubleshooting."
source: https://backtalk.sh/docs/deepseek
---
# DeepSeek key

Bring your own [DeepSeek](https://www.deepseek.com/) key to score and categorise mentions with **DeepSeek**, the cheapest of the supported AI providers and a strong fit when you're scoring a high volume of mentions. Without an AI key, BackTalk uses a free offline word-list scorer.

## What it unlocks

- AI sentiment (positive / neutral / negative) instead of the offline lexicon.
- Category and priority tagging on each mention.
- A one-time background **re-score** of your existing mentions when you save the key.

You can save **a key per provider**. Left untouched, your first key powers filtering (sentiment, relevance, priority) and every saved key's model joins the AI share-of-voice comparison. Point either job at any saved key and model, including several models from one provider, under **What runs each task** in Settings.

## Get your API key

1. Sign in to the [DeepSeek Platform](https://platform.deepseek.com/).
2. Add credit under **Billing** (pay-as-you-go, prepaid). New accounts include a one-time free-token grant, so you can start scoring before topping up.
3. Open [**API keys**](https://platform.deepseek.com/api_keys) and choose **Create new API key**.
4. Copy the key. It starts with `sk-…` and is shown only once.

## Add it in BackTalk

1. Go to [**Settings**](/app/settings/ai) and find the **DeepSeek** card under AI providers.
2. Pick a model (see below) and paste your `sk-…` key.
3. **Save.** BackTalk sends one tiny test request to confirm the key and model, then stores the key encrypted and starts the background re-score.

## Models & cost

Billed by DeepSeek directly at their token rates, with no markup from BackTalk. These are the lowest list prices of any supported provider (USD per million input / output tokens):

- **DeepSeek V4 Flash**: ~$0.14 / $0.28. Cheapest of all; the right default for sentiment.
- **DeepSeek V4 Pro**: ~$0.44 / $0.87. Stronger reasoning.

## Troubleshooting

- **"The provider rejected that API key."** Wrong or revoked key, or zero balance. Recreate the key and top up.
- **"That model isn't available on this key."** Pick DeepSeek V4 Flash.
- **Key check failed / timeout.** DeepSeek can rate-limit or briefly degrade under load. Retry in a moment.

> **Your key stays private.** It's encrypted at rest and only decrypted server-side when a scoring call runs. It is never returned to your browser and never logged. Settings shows only a masked hint.
>
> **Rotating your key:** create a new key in the DeepSeek Platform, paste it into Settings to replace the old one, then revoke the previous key.