SpotsNow

SpotsNow is a podcast advertising platform that combines show intelligence, campaign planning, marketplace buying and performance measurement. It is best suited to advertisers managing host-read campaigns, while brands wanting execution handled for them have a separate Pro service. The main choice is between limited self-serve research, broader intelligence access and a managed campaign relationship.

Overview

SpotsNow brings podcast discovery and buying into one hybrid workflow. Advertisers can search shows, request specific programs or episode packages, find discounted last-minute inventory and purchase curated audience bundles. Hosts review every advertiser before approval, and payment occurs only after approval. That safeguard reduces the risk of paying for a declined campaign, but it adds a publisher decision before a booking is final.

Its AI campaign planner reads a brand website, category and audience, then ranks shows by predicted conversion rate. It also presents projected reach and estimated ROAS, useful for narrowing a prospect list but still forecasts rather than outcome data. Real-time analytics and audio pixel tracking provide the post-launch measurement layer.

Key features

SpotsNow Intelligence covers more than 59,000 podcast shows. Its dataset includes sponsors, ad clips, brand spend, lookalikes, fill rates and media plans, giving agencies and serious buyers context beyond a basic show directory. The service connects through MCP to Claude, ChatGPT, Cursor and other compatible assistants using OAuth. The connector is read-only; SpotsNow says it neither accesses, stores nor trains on proprietary customer data, and access can be revoked. It also says no personal health data or HIPAA-covered information is involved.

The marketplace focuses on host-read advertising, with advanced targeting and attribution measurement. SpotsNow Pro extends the workflow into a managed service covering show selection, rate negotiation, creative briefs, pixel and attribution setup, campaign management and reporting. That is a meaningful alternative to operating the platform yourself, but it is priced for substantial campaigns.

Pricing

Free costs nothing and supplies five credits per month. Browsing all shows is included; profile pages use one credit and a campaign plan uses three. It is a useful way to sample the database or test the planning flow, but five credits leave little room for recurring research.

Starter costs $89 a month with 50 monthly credits, Campaign Planner and search. Searches consume one credit and campaigns consume three. This fits an individual buyer or small team that needs regular planning, although the credit accounting makes extensive prospecting less flexible than an unlimited plan.

Intelligence costs $349 a month and includes unlimited credits, unlimited AI connector queries and the Claude and ChatGPT MCP connector. It is the stronger choice for agencies, analysts and teams making frequent data-assisted decisions, rather than occasional advertisers.

Team has custom pricing and is aimed at agencies and networks. It adds multiple accounts, custom agents and integrations. SpotsNow Pro charges a 12% fee of spend, or 15% when ad spend is below $30K per month, with a $5K minimum spend. Pro suits brands that want managed execution and can meet that threshold; smaller advertisers should use self-serve plans instead.

Platforms

SpotsNow is available on the web and through an API. Its MCP connections extend Intelligence into compatible assistants, while the read-only design limits what those integrations can do with customer data.

Who it's for

Self-serve advertisers wanting show research, host-read booking and attribution will find the clearest fit. Starter serves regular campaign planners; Intelligence is aimed at data-heavy teams and agencies. The Team plan is specifically for agencies and networks, while Pro is for brands willing to outsource campaign operations and meet its minimum spend.

Pros and cons

Pros

• Combines research, planning, marketplace buying and attribution in one workflow.
• Intelligence spans more than 59,000 shows and can be queried from major MCP-compatible assistants.
• Host approval before payment lowers the risk of funding an unapproved campaign.
• Pro covers negotiation, setup, management and reporting for brands that lack in-house execution.

Cons

• The Free plan's five credits per month make it mainly a trial or occasional research tool.
• Starter still meters searches and campaigns, which can constrain active prospecting.
• Pro's $5K minimum spend and 12% or 15% service fee exclude smaller campaigns.
• AI reach, conversion and ROAS figures are projections, so buyers still need performance tracking after launch.

Alternatives

Consider Acast if you need podcast hosting and advertising plans, including a 14.99 USD monthly Essential plan billed yearly for multiple shows and unlimited episodes. Podbean is a better fit for creators seeking a free hosting tier with five hours of storage and 100GB monthly bandwidth. Choose Podigee for a free-forever launch plan with limited audio, video and analytics allowances. Buzzsprout suits web-only hosting users who prefer a straightforward free tier with 90-day episode hosting. Lucid is an alternative monetization network with a free option for qualifying podcasts. Magellan AI is worth considering for buyers focused on verified download data and custom platform access. Zencastr is aimed at recording and storing podcast productions rather than buying advertising. OpenStream is a free option with no obligation or cancellation commitment. Browse more options in Podcast Advertising Platforms.

Verdict

Choose SpotsNow when you need podcast inventory research, AI-assisted planning, host-read buying and attribution in one system. Intelligence is the strongest fit for frequent, data-led work, while Pro is appropriate only for brands ready for managed service and its minimum spend. Look elsewhere if you mainly need podcast hosting, production or a low-volume advertising option without credit limits or service fees.