Authentication for Google Cloud APIs and services

This document helps you understand some key authentication methods and concepts and where to get help with implementing or troubleshooting authentication. The primary focus of the authentication documentation is for Google Cloud services, but the list of authentication use cases and the introductory material on this page includes use cases for other Google products as well.

Introduction

Authentication is the process by which your identity is confirmed through the use of some kind of credential. Authentication is about proving that you are who you say you are.

Google provides many APIs and services, which require authentication to access. Google also provides a number of services that host applications written by our customers; these applications also need to determine the identity of their users.

Google APIs implement and extend the OAuth 2.0 framework.

Action Instructions
Authenticate to Vertex AI in express mode (Preview). Use the API key created for you during the sign-on process to authenticate to Vertex AI. For more information, see Vertex AI in express mode overview.
Authenticate to a Google Cloud service from my application using a high-level programming language. Set up Application Default Credentials, and then use one of the Cloud Client Libraries.