> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://brightdata-ipv6-release.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# How to Get Started with SERP API

> Get started quickly with Bright Data's SERP API by following these simple steps. Sign in, create your proxy, and verify your account to begin collecting search engine data effortlessly.

<Tip>
  if you haven't yet signed up for Bright Data, you can [sign up for
  free](https://brightdata.com/), and when adding your payment method, you'll
  receive a \$5 credit to get you started!
</Tip>

<Steps>
  <Step title={<a href="https://brightdata.com/cp/start">Sign in</a>} />

  <Step title={<>Navigate to <a href="https://brightdata.com/cp/zones">My Zones</a></>}>
    <Accordion title="In My Zones page, under SERP API click Get started">
      <Warning>
        If you already have an active proxy, simply choose **Add** at the top right corner
      </Warning>

      <Frame>
        <img src="https://mintcdn.com/brightdata-ipv6-release/yAA1dELwzqgxV65_/images/scraping-automation/serp-api/quick-start/get-started.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=yAA1dELwzqgxV65_&q=85&s=41458c39787d9b72db9c4051bd4caeba" alt="Get Started" width="846" height="911" data-path="images/scraping-automation/serp-api/quick-start/get-started.png" />
      </Frame>
    </Accordion>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Assign a name to your SERP API">
    <Warning>
      Please select a meaningful name, as the zone's name cannot be changed once created.
    </Warning>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Add" />
</Steps>

<Accordion title="Before continuing, verify your account">
  If you haven’t yet added a payment method, you’ll be prompted to add one at this point to verify your account. If it’s your first time using Bright Data, then you’ll also receive a \$5 bonus credit to get you started!

  <Tip>
    You will not be charged anything at this point and this is solely for verification purposes
  </Tip>
</Accordion>

<Note>
  Don't worry, we'll cover all the configurations in the next section [Configure your Proxy](/scraping-automation/serp-api/configuration)
</Note>