The Latest News From Melon Local

Stay in the know with the latest news in digital marketing, best practices and updates from Melon Local.

How AI Determines Which Business Is the Best

You know your business is the best. But when someone asks AI (Artificial Intelligence) for the best business nearby, does your name come up? And if another business gets recommended, what made AI choose it over yours? Let’s look at how ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude and Perplexity find business information and

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Melon Local Open House event graphic featuring trusted sponsors in Las Vegas

You’re Invited to Melon Local’s Open House

Heading to Las Vegas during the week of May 11? You don’t want to miss Melon Local’s Open House! Don’t think of this as just another stop on your trip — it’s a chance to experience Melon Local up close and personal. From May 11-12, we’re opening our doors just minutes from the Strip and giving you a behind-the-scenes look at how everything comes together. The strategies, the people and

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Melon Spotlight featuring Client Success Manager Raya McCracken

Melon Spotlight: Raya McCracken

As a Client Success Manager, Raya McCracken brings positivity, consistency and a genuine commitment to helping her clients succeed every day. She thrives in the day-to-day, balancing communication, strategy and support to ensure each client feels confident and taken care of. From managing accounts to building strong relationships, Raya plays a key role in delivering the Melon experience with care and intention. We caught up with Raya to talk about

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Social media marketing graphic explaining why social media is essential for business growth

Why Your Business Needs to Be on Social Media

There was a time when social media felt like a “nice to have.” Something you’d get to after your website was polished, your ads were running and your referrals were steady. These days, however, it’s no longer optional for businesses to be present on social media. Social media isn’t competing with your marketing strategy — it is your visibility strategy. And if you’re not showing up consistently, you’re handing opportunities

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Melon of the Month spotlight featuring Edgar Serrano Ramos, Director of Client Success

Melon Spotlight: Edgar Serrano Ramos

As a Director of Client Success, Edgar brings strong leadership, steady focus and a genuine commitment to both his team and the clients he supports every day. He leads with intention, working closely with Client Success Managers to refine processes, strengthen communication and ensure every account is set up for long-term success. From guiding strategy to supporting day-to-day wins, Edgar helps keep the entire client experience running smoothly while continuing

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Inc. Regionals Rocky Mountain 2026 graphic recognizing Melon Local ranking No. 15

Inc. Ranks Melon Local at No. 15 in Rocky Mountain Regionals

Melon Local is proud to announce it’s been ranked No. 15 on Inc. Magazine’s 2026 Regionals: Rocky Mountain list of the fastest-growing privately held companies in the region. An extension of the national Inc. 5000, the Regionals list offers a data-driven look at the independent businesses driving growth across the Rocky Mountain economy. This year’s list includes 69 companies across Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Nevada, Utah and Colorado, with each selected

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AIO vs. GEO comparison graphic explaining the difference in AI search strategies

AIO vs. GEO: What’s the Difference in AI Search?

SEO is no longer just about ranking on Google. Today, businesses also need to appear in AI-generated summaries, map results, voice search answers and generative responses that may not show traditional search listings at all. That shift has introduced two important strategies businesses need to understand: Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) and Artificial Intelligence Optimization (AIO). While the terms sound similar, they serve different roles in helping businesses stay visible in

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Small business owner frustrated by website traffic that is not converting into leads

Website Traffic but No Leads? Here’s What’s Going On

If your website traffic is going up but calls, form fills, or bookings aren’t following, you’re not alone. This is one of the most common frustrations we hear from local service businesses. And it’s usually extra confusing because on the surface, it feels like things should be working. People are finding your site and clicking through pages. So why aren’t the leads pouring in?   Let’s break down what’s actually

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Rick Gutenmann of MAP Consulting shares six barriers holding businesses back from growth

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

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Small business owner using Google AI-powered Performance Max ads to scale marketing results

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

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Latest Blog Posts

Alisha and Judy featured in a “Know Your Melon” graphic for a blog about what to expect on a Melon Local demo call.

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

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Melon Local team member sharing emerging social media trends to help businesses stay competitive and grow their online presence

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

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Mario Giraldo, insurance agent, featured in Melon Local's Interview with an Agent series discussing agency growth, customer relationships, and business success

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,

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Man speaking into a microphone beside the headline “Navigating the Noise” on a Melon Local insurance marketing blog graphic.

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

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Man speaking into a microphone beside the headline “Navigating the Noise” on a Melon Local insurance marketing blog graphic.

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!

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Scott Grates, insurance industry speaker and agency leader, promoting his Melon University workshop on building referral-driven growth

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

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Participants holding illuminated lanterns during the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Light The Night event, supporting patients and families affected by blood cancer

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

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Kirsten Nguyen, Senior Director of Client Success at Melon Local, featured in a “Client Success Story” blog graphic.

Client Success Story with Kirsten Nguyen

As an endless encyclopedia of SEO knowledge who’s always up to date on the latest digital marketing trends, it’s safe to say Senior Director of Client Success Kirsten Nguyen knows what it takes to deliver results. Listen to our conversation with her about how she helps our clients improve their online reputation, rank higher on Google through strategic organic search optimization and overcome hurdles with their digital presence — of

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Melon Local team members sharing marketing strategies to help insurance agents grow their life insurance business during Life Insurance Awareness Month and beyond

How to Grow During Life Insurance Awareness Month and Beyond

National Life Insurance Awareness Month may be in full swing, but there are plenty of opportunities to grow your business year-round — especially when you have a fruitful partner like Melon Local in your corner! Let’s discuss how you can empower your customers with knowledge and how we can help them make informed decisions about their life insurance needs during September and beyond. The Numbers Behind Life Insurance: Why It

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