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
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
Melon Spotlight: Liz Anguiano
Since joining our team as a Social Media Content Creator, Liz has brought fresh ideas, creativity and a true team spirit to everything she does. Her passion for crafting scroll-stopping content, hopping on calls to ensure our clients’ social presence is always on point and helping agents shine online as local legends made her an essential part of the Melon Patch. We caught up with Liz to talk about her
Soaring Eagle Agent Study Group Coming Back Stronger in 2026
The Soaring Eagle agent study group isn’t just back for 2026 — it’s bigger than ever. More than 400 agents and team members from across the U.S. are already set to attend from January 28–30 at the Soaring Eagle Resort & Casino in Mt. Pleasant, MI, making this the largest gathering the study group has hosted yet. Founder and insurance agent David Arce says even as the room expands, Soaring
Latest Blog Posts
Interview with Melon Local’s Senior Director of Paid Search
Meet Megan Murphy, Melon Local’s Senior Director of Paid Search — or as our paid search team affectionately refers to her, “Fearless Leader.” Despite starting off as a Client Success Manager (a role in which she also excelled), Megan’s real passion was in driving change for our clients behind the scenes. Upon joining our paid search department, it didn’t take long for her to establish her fearless persona and earn
Celebrating National Homeownership Month as Insurance Agents
June is National Homeownership Month, a special time to celebrate the dream of owning a home and the stability it brings. Originally starting as a one-week celebration in June 1995, it eventually evolved into a month-long celebration in 2002 and recognizes not only the 66 percent of Americans who currently own homes but also those in the home buying process. In honor of this special month, let’s delve into some
Real Numbers and Results with Melon Local
Why get “melon-choly” about your insurance agency’s digital marketing when you can get Melon Local? Agents like you deserve a partner like us who knows how to make your agency the talk of the town. At Melon Local, we specialize in market-proven strategies that yield fruitful results. Whether it’s Paid Search, Organic Growth or Social Media, your business won’t just reach your local market — it will captivate them! Paid
4 Do’s and Don’ts of Paid Search
No matter the size of your insurance agency, mastering paid search can dramatically boost your digital presence and bring in fresh, quality leads. In fact, 45 percent of page clicks go to pay-per-click (PPC) ads in search results and visitors are 50 percent more likely to convert through paid search than those who come through organically. Paid search requires investing more than dollars — it takes strategy and time. But
The Long-Term Benefits of Being on Social Media
We all know social media is everywhere — it’s where people connect and get their daily fix of everything from breaking news to silly dog videos. But if you’re not tapping into this vast digital world to grow your insurance business, you have to ask yourself: why not? While you may not become a viral sensation overnight, let’s dive into the long-term benefits of using platforms like Facebook, Instagram and
Melon Spotlight: Stephan Penczek
For our May 2024 Melon Spotlight, we’re diving in behind the scenes with Stephan Penczek, our one and only Executive Assistant. Stephan may not always be front and center, but his impact is felt all across Melon Local. From managing several blocked-out calendars to organizing high-level presentations like our Melon University workshops, it’s safe to say we wouldn’t be One in a Melon without his ability to juggle a myriad
5 Things I Love About Melon Local – Feat. Eva Hurley
From managing policies across multiple states to overseeing her family’s beef cattle farm, it’s safe to say Greenville, SC insurance agent Eva Hurley stays busy. After opening her agency in 2014, she knew she needed an extra hand managing her digital marketing. She tried going with several different marketing groups, yet no one could ever deliver the results she needed — until she found Melon Local! Read more about why
How Organic Search and Paid Search Work Together
Some things have proven better together throughout the course of history: peanut butter and jelly, Lennon and McCartney, and, in the digital marketing world, organic and paid search. Sure, both of these approaches can be effective on their own, but when properly used together, they can offer your business a wide range of unique benefits and insights. The Distinct Roles of Organic and Paid Search Although organic and paid search
Meet Insurance Power Couple Jeff Burtis and Karen Michaels
In the heart of the insurance world, Jeff Burtis and Karen Michaels stand out not just as partners in life but as trailblazers redefining the industry through a shared dedication toward spreading positivity. When their paths first crossed at an Agents Hosting Agents event in 2018, it was immediately clear that they shared more than just professional interests. Despite managing their agencies from different states — with Jeff in Illinois