The Latest News From Melon Local
Stay in the know with the latest news in digital marketing, best practices and updates from Melon Local.
4 Questions to Ask Before Granting GBP Access
Your Google Business Profile (GBP) is one of the most valuable digital assets your business owns. It’s often the first thing potential customers see when they search for your business, making it a key driver of organic calls, website visits and foot traffic. In fact, a fully optimized GBP gets
6 Barriers to Business Growth – Feat. Rick Gutenmann
Does running your business often feel like solving one challenge after another with no end in sight? The thing is, businesses don’t stall because of a lack of effort. Instead, growth often slows due to a handful of common barriers that quietly limit how far a company can scale. As part of his upcoming Melon University workshop, Mapping Your Growth Blueprint on March 27, Rick Gutenmann of MAP Consulting will
Melon Local’s Approach to Google Performance Max Ads
Google’s Performance Max (PMax) campaigns have continued to evolve, with ongoing refinements to their AI-powered capabilities in recent years. Unlike traditional ad campaigns, PMax campaigns leverage machine learning to dynamically optimize ad placements and improve conversion performance. With AI playing a bigger role than ever before in paid search strategy, PMax campaigns can be a powerful tool when used correctly. Let’s break down how they work and why your business
Melon Spotlight: Justyna Ruszczak
Since joining our team as a Paid Search Manager, Justyna has brought a sharp eye for optimization, steady focus and a genuine commitment to improving performance across every account she manages. She thrives on refining our AI-driven Google Performance Max campaigns, strengthening headlines and descriptions and optimizing for Melon Max to drive higher-quality leads, making her a true force in the Melon Patch. We caught up with Justyna to talk
Your 2026 Guide for Growing Your Insurance Agency
The end of the year is more than just reflection — it’s a chance to reset your strategy and prepare your agency for what’s next. Every goal you set shapes how your agency grows. With the right strategy, you can turn ambition into action and set your agency up for success. As technology continues to evolve, optimizing for AI is becoming essential. From how customers find your business to how
Fireside Chat with Melon Local’s CEO: 2026 Edition
2025 was a year of real progress for Melon Local — not just in growth, but in the tools, support and momentum we built alongside our clients. It’s safe to say we had our share of fresh milestones over the past year, including: Launching Melon Max live transfer calls and internet leads — further solidifying our place as the original one-stop shop for digital marketing. Connecting with thousands of agents
Melon Spotlight: Bailey Swiger
Since joining our team as a Client Success Manager, Bailey has brought positivity, focus and a people-first approach to everything she does. Whether she’s hopping on client Zoom calls, digging into the data behind their results or simply being the steady voice they can count on, there’s a reason her clients love working with her. And with a background in education, Bailey’s no stranger to leading with patience, staying organized
Melon Spotlight: Trevor Black
Since joining our team as a Paid Search Manager, Trevor has brought a thoughtful approach, steady drive and genuine care to everything he does. He thrives on digging into campaign performance and finding smart ways to deliver results in spaces other agencies might consider too challenging, making him a real difference maker in the Melon Patch. We caught up with Trevor to talk about what excites him most about digital
How SEO and GEO Work Together to Keep You Visible
Traditional SEO can only take you so far on its own in today’s world of AI-powered search and local discovery. That’s where Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) bridges the gap — expanding your visibility beyond traditional rankings by optimizing for AI. On their own, each optimization practice delivers results, but together, they amplify reach, relevance and digital traffic. Let’s discuss what sets SEO and GEO apart and how they work together
What to Know About ChatGPT’s New Browser Atlas
We’re walking into a new type of internet where people don’t “search” first — they ask first. Instead of treating AI like a separate tool you open in another tab, ChatGPT’s Atlas browser brings it right into the browsing experience. Since launching on October 21, 2025, it’s offered consumers an alternative to traditional search giants like Google or Microsoft Bing. Instead, you ask, it understands the page you’re on and
Latest Blog Posts
Melon Spotlight: Cian Murphy
As one of our Paid Search Managers, Cian Murphy’s impact on Melon Local’s digital ad campaigns is tremendous. He’s a go-to expert for fine-tuning budgets, optimizing ads and implementing strategic adjustments to keep thousands of campaigns delivering fresh, quality leads for our agents. We took some time to speak to Cian to learn more about his meticulous approach to paid search, the rewarding challenges of his role and what he
Beware of These 13 Digital Marketing Scare Tactics
The digital marketing world is filled with hidden traps and misleading claims designed to exploit your fears. But the reality is that most of these claims aren’t just exaggerated — they can be misleading. Let’s unmask some of these spooky scare tactics used by other marketing companies and talk about how Melon Local uses facts over fear in our approach to digital marketing. 1. Guaranteed Placement On Google Ranking If
Get to Know Melon Local on a Demo Call: What to Expect
Alisha and Judy may have had a few surprises for each other in the video above, but, as our Directors of Business Development, they do know a lot about what it takes to level up your agency with Melon Local! So, what can you expect when you schedule a demo call with them? Let’s break it down! Tailoring the Demo to Your Interests After a warm introduction from one of
Social Media Trends to Keep You Growing This Season
Just like sweater weather and pumpkin spice, social media trends change just as quickly as the seasons, so it’s essential for insurance agents not to “fall” behind on the latest digital happenings across Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok. Let’s explore some of the latest social media trends that should be a part of your strategy, such as taking advantage of trending audio, video ideas and authentic storytelling. Sound Off with
Interview with an Agent: Mario Giraldo
Growing up in an immigrant household in the U.S., Mario Giraldo became well aware of the obstacles Spanish speakers face trying to navigate the insurance world. He often served as his family’s translator for official matters and found it frustrating how his parents would often be dismissed or left without answers due to their language barrier. This ultimately drove his passion to become an insurance agent in Kansas City, MO,
Navigating Market Fluctuations in the Insurance Industry
Are you staying competitive in the ever-changing insurance landscape? Melon Local can help! The truth is that the insurance industry has faced an unprecedented wave of market fluctuations driven by factors such as the lingering aftermath of the pandemic, persisting inflation, disruption in supply chains, natural disasters, evolving consumer trends and changing government regulations and laws. As you are familiar with, not only has the insurance industry been impacted, but
Melon Spotlight: Richard Viado
Paid Search Manager Richard Viado often works behind the scenes, but his impact is always front and center. From creating lead-generating Facebook ad campaigns to diving deep into data, Richard’s expertise drives quality results for Melon Local. We caught up with him to learn more about his typical day and what updates may be in store with Facebook! Ready for your paid search to pay off? Book a demo today!
Meet Melon University Speaker Scott Grates
Following the 2007–2008 Financial Crisis, insurance agent Scott Grates found himself in a tight spot. As a brand new agency owner with a wife and two babies at home, he had to make every dollar count. So, he tested every marketing strategy he could — Yellow Pages, direct mail, telemarketing and newspaper ads. A year later, he reviewed his various marketing efforts and realized there was one clear outlier that
How to Help Melon Local Support Light the Night
Melon Local is excited to once again participate in the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) Light the Night walk in Las Vegas on November 2. Since 2021, we’ve been proud supporters of this cause, raising over $5,000 to help fund the LLS’s life-saving work. For us, it’s more than just a walk — it’s an opportunity to stand with survivors, remember those we’ve lost, and contribute to the fight against