Yahoo introduces search for podcasts

A new Yahoo site for downloadable audio programs puts the company ahead of Google, at least in this arena.

BY MIKE MUSGROVE

Washington Post Service

Yahoo introduced a test site devoted exclusively to downloadable audio programs known as podcasts, a move that some say puts the search engine on the forefront of a cutting edge technology and puts it ahead — at least in this arena — of its biggest competitor, Google.

The site, at podcastsyahoo.com, offers not only a search feature for podcast fans but also a lineup of podcasts that are new, noteworthy or just popular.

Yahoo’s site connects Internet users to everything from shows broadcast over National Public Radio to discussions by movie critics Roger Ebert and Richard Roeper about the latest films.

But those sort of podcasts are more the exception of what’s available. By far, most of the programming is produced by amateur Web users armed with microphones, Internet connections and the desire to share some opinions or expertise — the audio equivalent of Web logs or blogs.'’

Analysts said that Yahoo’s move could give the Web portal a critical chance to catch up with rivals such as Google as the Internet moves beyond text and into multimedia programs.

For now, only a small number of people are searching for podcasts, but there’s widespread belief that the popularity will only continue to grow.

The move puts companies like Yahoo in a good position for the future, said Phil Leigh, president of market research firm Inside Digital Media.

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