Most Spanish radio ads sound like English ads that someone translated. Listeners hear the difference in the first sentence, and they tune out. This guide shows how local businesses in Los Angeles can do it properly on KFWB 980 AM, La Mera Mera.
Short version
KFWB 980 AM is a Spanish-language regional Mexican station owned by Lotus Communications. It reaches Greater Los Angeles and beyond. A Spanish ad works when a native speaker writes it, the offer is simple, the website is easy on a phone, and you count the results.
What KFWB 980 AM La Mera Mera is
KFWB is a commercial station at 980 on the AM dial, branded La Mera Mera. It switched to a regional Mexican music format on October 31, 2016, and it is owned by Lotus Communications, the same company that owns Persian-language KIRN. Lotus says the station is available across Los Angeles, Oxnard, the Inland Empire and San Diego, and its live local personalities are a big part of the sound. See, for example, the afternoon drive lineup announced in February 2026.
Because the format is regional Mexican music, the audience is shaped by that music and by Spanish-language culture. Think about whether your customer fits that picture before you book.
Why Spanish radio works for local businesses
Your language, their language
A Spanish ad written for Spanish speakers feels like it was made for them, because it was.
Live local voices
Hosts who talk to the audience every day lend trust to the brands they mention.
A wide area
One schedule reaches many cities, so you do not need a separate plan for each neighborhood.
How to write a Spanish radio ad that sounds local
- Hire a native speaker to write it. Spanish varies by country and region. A script that reads well in one place can sound odd in another.
- Choose “tú” or “usted” on purpose. The tone of the whole ad depends on it.
- Say what you do in plain words. “Roof repair in the San Fernando Valley” is clearer than a clever slogan.
- Give one action. Visit a page, send a message or come in. Do not ask for three things.
- Make the next step easy in Spanish. If the ad is Spanish and the page is English only, many listeners stop there. Even a short Spanish landing page helps, and our post on bilingual websites explains the options.
The Lakers factor
In late 2025 the Lakers moved their Spanish-language radio broadcasts to KFWB, according to Inside Radio. If your customers follow the team, game coverage is worth asking about. Availability and prices change by season, so ask the station for current options instead of assuming.
Spanish radio next to other Spanish-language channels
| Channel | Strength | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Spanish radio | Familiar voices, wide local reach | Needs a tracking plan |
| Google Ads in Spanish | Reaches people already searching | Needs Spanish keywords and a Spanish page |
| Facebook and Instagram in Spanish | Easy to test small budgets | Easy to scroll past |
| Community events and sponsorships | Builds real relationships | Slow and local only |
Radio makes your name familiar. Search catches the person who then looks you up. Use both when the budget allows.
How to track the result
- Use a short web address or a campaign word that is easy to remember when spoken.
- Ask every new customer how they heard about you, in the language they prefer.
- Compare inquiries over several weeks, not a few days.
- Log dates, offer and results so you can repeat what worked.
Before you sign
Ask the station for the days, times and number of airings in writing, plus what the reports include. If anything is unclear, ask again before you pay.
How we help at Kamak Web
We place Spanish-language radio on KFWB 980 AM, and we handle the script brief, the landing page and the tracking so they work as one plan. If your customers also speak Farsi, see our guide to reaching the Persian community in Los Angeles. For a wider view of both audiences, read Radio advertising in Los Angeles.
Send your business, area and goal through the radio and OTT quote form or write to info@kamakweb.com. You get a written plan before any work begins.
Frequently asked questions
What frequency is La Mera Mera in Los Angeles?
KFWB broadcasts at 980 AM. If you have seen a different number, double check it with the station before you plan around it.
Should I also advertise in English?
It depends on your customer. Many Spanish speakers are bilingual and switch between languages. A Spanish ad with a bilingual website is a safe starting point.
How long should a campaign run?
Plan on several weeks of steady airing. Radio works through repetition, and one or two spots rarely show a clear result.
Further reading: KFWB (Wikipedia), Lakers Spanish-language radio (Inside Radio) and La Mera Mera afternoon drive (Radio Ink).
![<p class="kw-lead wp-block-paragraph">Two businesses sell the same service on the same street. One has 4 Google reviews, the other has 40. Guess which one gets the call. Reviews are the cheapest, strongest proof a local business can earn, and most owners never ask for them.</p>
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<p class="kw-tag wp-block-paragraph">Short version</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Copy your direct review link from Google Business Profile, send it to happy customers right after a good result, reply to every review, and never offer rewards. Ask a few customers every week and the total climbs without any pressure.</p>
</div></div>
<div class="wp-block-rank-math-toc-block" id="rank-math-toc"><div>In this guide</div><nav><ul><li class=""><a href="#why">Why reviews move the needle</a></li><li class=""><a href="#link">Step 1: Get your direct review link</a></li><li class=""><a href="#ask">Step 2: Ask at the right moment</a></li><li class=""><a href="#rules">What Google does not allow</a></li><li class=""><a href="#reply">Step 3: Reply to every review</a></li><li class=""><a href="#habit">Make it a monthly habit</a></li><li class=""><a href="#kamak">How we help at Kamak Web</a></li><li class=""><a href="#faq">Frequently asked questions</a></li></ul></nav></div>
<h2 id="why" class="wp-block-heading">Why reviews move the needle</h2>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Google says that <a href="https://support.google.com/business/answer/7091" target="_blank" rel="noopener">more reviews and positive ratings can help your business’s local ranking</a>. Reviews also help the person who finds you on Google Maps decide, in a few seconds, whether to call you or the next business on the list.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Reviews work best together with a complete profile, accurate hours and a good website. Our guide to <a href="/local-seo-los-angeles-google-maps/">local SEO in Los Angeles</a> covers the rest.</p>
<h2 id="link" class="wp-block-heading">Step 1: Get your direct review link</h2>
<ol class="wp-block-list kw-steps">
<li>Sign in to the Google account that manages your Business Profile.</li>
<li>Search for your business name on Google, or open the profile from Google Maps.</li>
<li>Choose <strong>Ask for reviews</strong> (the label may read “Get more reviews”).</li>
<li>Copy the link and save it in your phone notes. It opens the review box in one tap.</li>
<li>Optional: turn the link into a QR code and print it for your counter, invoices or business cards.</li>
</ol>
<h2 id="ask" class="wp-block-heading">Step 2: Ask at the right moment</h2>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The best time is right after a clear win: the project is finished, the problem is solved, the customer just said thank you. A short, polite message works better than a long one. Here are two you can copy.</p>
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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">English</h3>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Hi [Name], thank you for choosing us. If you were happy with the work, a short Google review helps other local customers find us. It takes about a minute: [LINK]</p>
</div></div>
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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Español</h3>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Hola [Nombre], gracias por elegirnos. Si quedó contento con el trabajo, una reseña corta en Google ayuda a otros clientes a encontrarnos. Toma un minuto: [LINK]</p>
</div></div>
</div></div>
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><strong>Ask in the customer’s language.</strong> A request in their own language feels natural and is easy to act on.</li>
<li><strong>Ask in person first, then send the link.</strong> A friendly face-to-face ask makes the message feel expected.</li>
<li><strong>Ask everyone.</strong> Not only the customers you think will be delighted.</li>
<li><strong>Keep it light.</strong> One reminder is fine. Three is pressure.</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="rules" class="wp-block-heading">What Google does not allow</h2>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Google’s <a href="https://support.google.com/contributionpolicy/answer/7400114" target="_blank" rel="noopener">contributed content policy</a> is clear on the points that cause most problems:</p>
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><strong>No rewards.</strong> You may not offer payment, discounts or free products or services in exchange for a review, or to change or remove one.</li>
<li><strong>No review gating.</strong> You may not discourage negative reviews or ask only the customers you expect to be positive.</li>
<li><strong>No fake reviews.</strong> Reviews must come from real experiences. That includes not reviewing your own business.</li>
<li><strong>No pressure.</strong> Do not push customers to write reviews on your premises or tell them what to say.</li>
</ul>
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<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong>Why this matters</strong></p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Breaking these rules can get reviews removed or your profile restricted. Real reviews from real customers, asked for politely, are slower but they last.</p>
</div></div>
<h2 id="reply" class="wp-block-heading">Step 3: Reply to every review</h2>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Reply to every review, good and bad, within a few days. A good reply says thank you and mentions something specific. A reply to a negative review stays calm, states the facts briefly and offers to fix the issue offline. Future customers read how you respond as much as what the reviewer wrote.</p>
<p class="kw-pull wp-block-paragraph">Never argue in public. You are writing for the next reader, not for the person who is upset.</p>
<h2 id="habit" class="wp-block-heading">Make it a monthly habit</h2>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">A steady trickle looks natural and keeps your profile fresh. Pick a simple routine: when a job closes, send the link; once a week, check for new reviews; once a month, count them and write the number down. Small, regular effort beats a one-time push.</p>
<h2 id="kamak" class="wp-block-heading">How we help at Kamak Web</h2>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">We set up and optimize Google Business Profiles as part of our <a href="/seo-services/">SEO services</a>, including the review link, the reply routine and the tracking. Send your business and your area through the <a href="/seo-services-quote/">SEO quote form</a> or write to info@kamakweb.com. You get a written plan before any work begins.</p>
<div class="wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex">
<div class="wp-block-button"><a class="wp-block-button__link wp-element-button" href="/seo-services-quote/">Get an SEO Quote</a></div>
<div class="wp-block-button is-style-outline is-style-outline--3"><a class="wp-block-button__link wp-element-button" href="/seo-services/">See SEO Services</a></div>
</div>
<h2 id="faq" class="wp-block-heading">Frequently asked questions</h2>
<h3 id="how-many" class="wp-block-heading">How many reviews do I need?</h3>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">There is no magic number. Look at the three or four businesses that rank above you in Google Maps, see how many reviews they have, and aim to match them over time.</p>
<h3 id="text-ask" class="wp-block-heading">Can I ask for a review by text or email?</h3>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Yes, as long as you do it politely, without a reward, and ask all your customers instead of choosing only the happy ones.</p>
<h3 id="bad-review" class="wp-block-heading">What if I get a bad review?</h3>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Reply calmly and factually. If the review breaks Google’s policy, such as spam or a review from someone who was never a customer, you can report it. Otherwise a good reply and more positive reviews are the best answer.</p>
<p class="kw-sources wp-block-paragraph">Further reading: <a href="https://support.google.com/business/answer/7091" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Improve your local ranking on Google</a> and <a href="https://support.google.com/contributionpolicy/answer/7400114" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Google Maps contributed content policy</a>.</p>](https://www.kamakweb.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/get-more-google-reviews-cover-1024x538.webp)
