Usage-limits limit the number of time an api key can be used successfully.Each successful verification decrements the usage limit on the key.Once the key reaches 0, then you will receive USAGE_LIMITED status in your verification call.
You can also track usage for customers based on their API keys. Check the Verify Key API for more information on how to pass in usage. There is also an example of how to add usage and retrieve usage for a key in the Express Starter Kit.