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

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Melon Local team member comparing DeepSeek AI and OpenAI while exploring the future of artificial intelligence and its impact on digital marketing

What to Know About the Rise of DeepSeek AI

The latest advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) are no longer confined solely to Silicon Valley. China-based AI startup DeepSeek recently made headlines across the world with the launch of its DeepSeek R1 chat model in January. Let’s dive into how DeepSeek is shaking up the industry, and what implications their rise may have for your business. DeepSeek’s Impact on AI World It’s safe to say DeepSeek is making waves in

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Melon Local team member explaining the FCC's vacated one-to-one consent rule and its impact on lead generation and marketing communications

What to Know About the FCC’s Vacated TCPA Consent Rule

The regulatory landscape for insurance marketers took an unexpected turn on January 24 when the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) officially postponed the enforcement of its 1-to-1 Consent Rule for up to 12 months. But just hours later, the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals went a step further — vacating the rule entirely. This ruling effectively nullifies the FCC’s attempt to require direct, individual consent from consumers for each specific company

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Kris Plaat, Paid Search Manager at Melon Local, featured in a “Melon of the Month” spotlight graphic.

Melon Spotlight: Kris Plaat

Meet Kris Plaat — one of our dedicated Paid Search Managers! From optimizing bids to refining targeting, Kris ensures our campaigns deliver high-quality leads. We asked Kris about his behind-the-scenes role and what — besides coffee — fuels his passion for paid search. Ready to see how Kris and the rest of our paid search team can elevate your business? Schedule a demo today and experience a fresher approach to

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Juan Calix, insurance agent, sharing five things he loves about working with Melon Local and its marketing services

5 Things I Love About Melon Local – Feat. Juan Calix

Altamonte Springs, FL insurance agent Juan Calix built his agency from the ground up during one of the most uncertain times — June 2020, in the middle of the COVID pandemic. But instead of seeing obstacles, he saw opportunity. With a mindset rooted in growth and an unwavering commitment to his community, Juan quickly turned challenges into wins, proving that success is about perspective and persistence. Five years later, Juan’s

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Melon Local team member sharing updates on missing Google reviews and the Google Business Profile review count issue affecting local businesses

What to Know About Google Review Count Issue

If you’ve noticed that some of your Google reviews have vanished, you’re not the only one. Businesses across multiple industries have voiced concerns about missing or delayed reviews on their Google Business Profiles. Although some have lost only a few, others have seen dozens of reviews seemingly disappear from their profiles. Some businesses have also noticed their review count isn’t adding up correctly, even though the reviews themselves are still

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Professional magician Robert Strong performing a card trick during a team-building workshop at Melon Local.

Business Meets Magic: Robert Strong Visits Melon Local

Recently, Melon Local welcomed Robert Strong — magician, author and keynote speaker — to inspire our team with his unique blend of magic and business insight. With over 30 years of experience captivating audiences worldwide, Robert isn’t just about sleight of hand — he’s about creating moments that leave lasting impressions. His philosophy aligns perfectly with what we do at Melon Local: delivering extraordinary experiences that delight and inspire. During

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Melon Local team member sharing digital marketing best practices and common mistakes businesses should avoid in 2025

Digital Marketing Dos and Don’ts for 2025

While there are many approaches to digital marketing in 2025 that will elevate your brand to the next level, others may hinder your progress. With the new year in full swing, it’s time to focus on strategies that deliver results and leave outdated practices behind. From mastering local optimization to leveraging data, let’s dive into the dos and don’ts that will keep your business fresh and relevant. Do Focus on

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Sarah Levitz, Client Success Manager at Melon Local, featured in a “Melon of the Month” spotlight graphic.

Melon Spotlight: Sarah Levitz

Since joining our Melon Patch, Client Success Manager Sarah Levitz has proven herself to be an invaluable part of our team. Known for her positive attitude and her knack for “mom jokes,” she’s not just winning people over with her personality — Sarah’s delivering quality results. Curious about what keeps Sarah motivated and how she helps agents achieve their digital marketing goals? Stay tuned to discover why she’s passionate about

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Whitney Green-Olson raising a glass beside a microphone during Melon Local’s 2025 Fireside Chat graphic.

Fireside Chat with Melon Local’s CEO: 2025 Edition

We already know the bar was set high, but it’s safe to say 2024 was no ordinary year for Melon Local. Despite a challenging landscape filled with fluctuating market conditions, we proved once again that we’re leaders in the digital marketing space. Notably, our journey last year was highlighted by some incredible “Melonstones” for our Patch and leadership: We maintained our Google Premier Partner status for another year, reinforcing our

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Latest Blog Posts

Chad Stevens, Melon Local Software Engineering Manager, is featured with a headshot for a Melon Spotlight about his career with Melon Local.

Melon Spotlight: Chad Stevens

Even though he’s usually working remotely 400 miles away from our Las Vegas HQ, Chad’s behind-the-scenes impact on The Patch has made him an invaluable part of Melon Local’s success. As our Software Engineering Manager, he helps transform big ideas into scalable solutions that keep our systems running smoothly. Thoughtful, steady and always focused on finding the best path forward, his work may happen behind the scenes, but its impact

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Melon Spotlight: Michael Long

Meet our latest Melon Spotlight, Michael Long, our Principal of Paid Search Analytics & Optimization. After previously being featured as a Melon Spotlight during his time as Director of Client Success, Michael has continued to grow alongside Melon Local, stepping into a role where his strategic mindset and passion for performance help drive stronger results for our clients. Today, his expertise in paid search analytics and campaign optimization plays an

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A frustrated business owner holding a laptop contemplating if they gave the right access to their GBP.

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 around 70 percent more in-store visits. Because of its importance, it’s not uncommon to receive emails or notifications asking you

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Insurance Agent and Melon Local Business Development Specialist Katie Olson shares four tips for better lead follow-ups.

4 Lead Follow-Up Strategies From Insurance Agent Katie Olson

When lead performance starts to slow down, it’s easy to assume the leads are the problem. But after working with thousands of insurance agencies across the country, we’ve found the best opportunities come from improving what’s done with a lead after it comes in. That’s exactly what Melon Local Business Development Specialist and experienced insurance agency owner Katie Olson discusses in our latest Melon Minute. As the owner of her

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A portrait of Melon Local Executive Assistant Cassidy Fehr.

Melon Spotlight: Cassidy Fehr

From rolling out the green carpet as a CSM to helping keep The Patch running smoothly as Executive Assistant, Cassidy has continued to grow alongside Melon Local. Known for her organization, positivity and attention to detail, she’s become a go-to resource for keeping projects on track, supporting leadership and adding thoughtful touches that make Melon feel like home. Whether she’s coordinating behind the scenes, helping elevate the client experience or

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Whitney Green-Olson featured on a blog image regarding the GREEN Prompt Framework for strong AI Prompts.

How to Write Better AI Prompts with the GREEN Framework

Artificial intelligence has changed the way businesses create content, brainstorm ideas and solve problems. With nearly 75 percent of companies adopting AI for at least one business function, its use will inevitably increase over time. But here’s something many people overlook: the quality of AI’s output depends on the quality of your input. Two people can ask the same AI platform the same question and walk away with completely different

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Melon Local team members enjoying quality time together at Melon Local's 2026 Open House.

Melon Local Hosts Successful Open House for 2026

For two days in May, Melon Local opened its doors and welcomed hundreds of clients, partners, sponsors and friends at our Las Vegas-based Melon Patch. Yes, there were live demos. Yes, there were even tacos, drinks and a dunk tank. But the biggest takeaway from Melon Local’s 2026 Open House wasn’t found in any activation station or presentation. It was the people. Throughout the event, we had the opportunity to

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Promotional graphic featuring the message "When Times Become Uncertain, Don't React. Adapt." alongside a woman in a thoughtful pose looking upward. The design uses green, cream, and yellow abstract shapes with highlighted text emphasizing the words "Uncertain" and "Adapt."

The Importance of Staying Visible During Uncertain Times

If you’ve been in business long enough, you know how market shifts can make you rethink everything. Maybe AI is changing how your customers find your business. Maybe it’s rising costs of operations. Or perhaps it’s your own ROI not keeping pace with your business’s needs. But after years of working with our clients across the country, we’ve seen one thing consistently hold true: The businesses that stay visible during

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Melon Local announcing its recognition as a 2026 Quantum Certified Workplace with the national certification badge displayed

Melon Local Named a 2026 Quantum Certified Workplace

Melon Local is proud to be recognized as a 2026 Quantum Certified Workplace, a designation awarded to organizations that demonstrate a consistent commitment to building strong workplace cultures and high-performing teams. The recognition reflects Melon Local’s ongoing investment in its people and the belief that a thriving internal culture directly drives better outcomes for clients. The certification, awarded by Quantum Workplace — a leader in employee experience and workplace culture

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