Radio ads only work if they air. This guide shows how to confirm your spots actually ran - using station logs, real-time AI tools like Spotwise, and simple spot-checking steps. Catch issues early and make sure every ad counts.

How to Check If Your Radio Ad Actually Aired

Radio ads are powerful - but only if they play when and where they should. If you buy airtime, you deserve proof that your message went out. Follow these simple steps to make sure every spot really hit the airwaves.

1. Ask the Station for a Log

Most stations keep a daily log that lists each ad and the time it aired. Request a copy, then scan for your brand name and the times promised in your contract. If anything is missing, flag it.

Tip: Logs can be delayed or contain typos. Treat them as a starting point, not final proof.

2. Independent Verification using Spotwise

Paper logs are helpful, but real confidence comes from an outside source. Spotwise is an AI‑powered monitoring platform that listens to radio stations 24/7, records every commercial, and tags the brand automatically. Because Spotwise is separate from the station, its data is unbiased.

What Spotwise does in plain terms:

• Listens nonstop to the stations you choose.
• Captures every ad and saves an audio clip.
• Pins an exact timestamp to each airing.
• Sends an alert if a scheduled spot doesn’t run.

With this feed, you know the moment your ad plays — or if it doesn’t. No hardware, no extra staff, no waiting for next-day logs.

3. Match Logs to Your Schedule

Take the Spotwise report (or the station log) and compare it to your media plan:

• All spots present? Every airing appears at least once.
• Right time slot? Ads run in the agreed hour (morning drive, midday, etc.).
• Correct length? A 30‑second ad shouldn’t be 15 seconds.

Spotwise shows this in one view, so mismatches jump out fast.

4. Listen to the Recording

Even if a timestamp looks right, click the clip and listen. Confirm that:

• The audio is clear.
• Your brand name and call to action are present.
• No late edits changed the message.

Spotwise stores each spot in the cloud—no scrubbing through hours of raw audio.

5. Report Issues Quickly

Find a missed or wrong airing? Email the station the same day. Most contracts offer a “make‑good” airing or a refund. Spotwise clips and timestamps give you proof, so fixes come without debate.

6. Keep a Running Record

Save all reports, clips, and email trails. Over time, you’ll build a library that shows how often your ads ran and how well each station delivers. This guides future buys and keeps everyone honest. Spotwise keeps an archive you can search anytime—no folders to manage.

Why Spotwise Makes Verification Simple

Spotwise removes guesswork and hours of manual work. It’s like having a full‑time spot checker that never sleeps. Spotwise turns hours of tracking into minutes of checking—and gives you extra data such as radio advertising analytics and share‑of‑voice charts.

Final Takeaway

You spend real money on radio. Don’t leave results to chance. With Spotwise, you can prove every ad aired, see the exact time, and catch problems before they cost you.

Read more : Everything You Need To Know About Radio Ad Monitoring (QnA From Real Clients)

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