Google Local Business Center Adds Custom Category Selection
Google now allows companies to add their own business definitions to their Google Local Business entries.
The business entries used for Google Search and Maps results now allow you to choose your own custom business category in addition to those pre-defined by Google. The change kicked in a few weeks ago according to a post in a Google Groups help forum, but it doesn't seem to have been announced. I found mention of the new feature at the Search Roundtable by way of Techmeme.  Adding your own custom category would presumably help you show up in highly specific search results.Head here to edit or add your free Local Business Center entry. You can also find more info at the Local Business Help Center and the Google Maps Help Group.Finally, if you're wondering, Google says "there's no way to request or pay for a better ranking" for your LB listing.
Erik Larkin