# Access the API

The Bing API works as a custom engine of our **SERP API** suite. Accessing the API is possible by sending GET requests via our official SERP API endpoint and by specifying the `engine=bing` parameter.

The official SERP API endpoint is:

* `https://serpapi.webscrapingapi.com/v2`

{% hint style="info" %}
You can use this as the base URL for the Bing API **`https://serpapi.webscrapingapi.com/v2?api_key=<YOUR_API_KEY>&engine=bing`**
{% endhint %}

### The API Key

All requests sent to our SERP API have to include an API key, used for authorization. Failing to pass the  <mark style="color:yellow;">**required**</mark> `api_key` parameter to your request will result in a `401: Unauthorised` status.&#x20;

If you haven't obtained your API key, you can do so by [registering an account](https://docs.webscrapingapi.com/readme/registration) here, followed by subscribing to our SERP API service. Once subscribed, your private API key will be available inside the Dashboard, under the SERP API section.&#x20;

In the following documentation, we will refer to the API key by using this syntax:**`<YOUR_API_KEY>`**

{% hint style="warning" %}
Make sure you store the API key in a safe, private file. Making your API key publicly available can affect the usage on your subscription plan.
{% endhint %}