More than 10 calls in 10 seconds, or more than 3 in 10 seconds for backlinks. Wait 10 seconds and send the same request once.

Connect BuzzSumo MCP Server to Claude and ChatGPT

One BuzzSumo API key, generated in Settings on the API tab and pasted into PopMCP's API key field. The same key works for BuzzSumo's Search API and Account API.

Paid plan required before this connector works

BuzzSumo says API access comes with all of its paid plans. Nobody reviews anything for a paid account: you generate the key yourself in Settings.

Typical wait: None on a paid plan. The key is generated straight away. A trial key for an account with no paid plan is approved case by case, and BuzzSumo gives no time for that.
Cost: Prices are on BuzzSumo's pricing page. PopMCP does not add a charge for BuzzSumo's API, and higher limits are priced by BuzzSumo after you apply.
Blocked until approved: Without a paid plan or an approved trial key there is no key to paste, so nothing connects.
Works meanwhile: BuzzSumo's web app works on its own. Nothing in PopMCP works until you have a key.

Where to apply: On a paid plan, open Settings, then the API tab, and select Generate API key. For a trial or higher limits, use the application form linked from BuzzSumo's API docs.

BuzzSumo's docs give paid web plans 100 Search API calls a month. Searches count against it, and alerts and projects count against the Account API instead.
BuzzSumo's pages disagree on the Account API's monthly limit: 100,000 in the help article and the rate limit page, 100 on the pricing page.
BuzzSumo describes its Backlinks API as a private beta, so that one tool may not work on your account.

Setup time: 2 min
Auth: API credentials
API base URL: https://api.buzzsumo.com and https://account-api.buzzsumo.com
Rate limits: 10 calls in every 10 seconds on the Search API (answered with HTTP 420) and on the Account API (answered with HTTP 429), and 3 calls in 10 seconds for backlinks. BuzzSumo's docs give paid web plans 100 Search API calls a month. For the Account API its pages give both 100,000 and 100 a month.

Before you begin

A BuzzSumo account you can sign in to
A paid BuzzSumo plan, since BuzzSumo says API access comes with paid plans. Without one, you can apply for a trial key through the form linked from BuzzSumo's API docs, and BuzzSumo approves those case by case

Get your credentials

Open the API tab

Sign in to BuzzSumo, open Settings, and click the API tab. The link below takes you there, and asks you to sign in first if you have not.

Open this screen →

Generate your key

Click Generate API key if there is no key yet, then copy the key. Every paid account can make one this way, with nothing to apply for.

Open this screen →

app.buzzsumo.com/settings/api

Acme Inc

Settings / API

API

Your API key

API key

a1b2****e5f6

Generate API key

This view is a simplified sketch: the labels on your page may differ slightly.

Paste it into PopMCP

Paste the key into PopMCP's API key field and connect. PopMCP checks it on BuzzSumo's Account API, so connecting spends none of your searches.

Connect in PopMCP

Open your workspace, choose BuzzSumo in the marketplace, and fill in the connect dialog:

Field	What to enter
API keysecret	In BuzzSumo, open Settings, then the API tab. Select Generate API key if you have none, and copy it. Stored encrypted and used only on our servers.Encrypted with AES-256-GCM on save and never shown again.

PopMCP verifies the credential against BuzzSumo immediately. On success the connection flips to Verified and its MCP tools are provisioned.

Verify it worked

PopMCP marks BuzzSumo as Connected, and asking it to list your BuzzSumo Projects returns them rather than an authentication error.

Troubleshooting

"Invalid API Key" or "You are not authorized!" (HTTP 401)

Why: The key was cut short on copy, or it has been replaced by a newer key.

Fix: Open Settings, then the API tab, copy the whole key again and paste it into PopMCP.

Searches fail after working earlier in the month

Why: The Search API allowance has run out. BuzzSumo's docs give paid web plans 100 Search API calls a month.

Fix: Ask your AI for the quota on its last answer. Wait for the new month, or apply for more through the form linked from BuzzSumo's API docs. Alerts and Projects count against the Account API, so they can still work.

HTTP 420 or 429

Why: More than 10 calls in 10 seconds, or more than 3 in 10 seconds for backlinks.

Fix: Wait 10 seconds and send the same request once.

The backlinks tool answers 403 or 404

Why: BuzzSumo describes its Backlinks API as a private beta, so your account may not have it yet.

Fix: Ask BuzzSumo about access. Every other tool works without it.

BuzzSumo