Update on user-generated content

Here are some of the deals for user-generated content and related services (blogs, podcasts, vlogs, etc.), introduced by the dominant players so far this year.

Google:

• Introduces RSS Reader (beta).
• Introduces Blog Search (beta).
• Introduces Google Talk for IM and VoIM.
• Introduces AdSense for RSS Feeds (beta)
• Introduces Video Search (beta).
• Introduces Upload Video (beta).
• Participates in Al Gore's and Joel Hyatt's Current TV, which broadcasts 'viewer created content' (VC2) and updates from Google's top search queries.

Yahoo!:

• Expands Yahoo! News Search to include blogs from blo.gs, photos from Flickr and links from MyWeb.
• Introduces Yahoo! Podcasts (RSS, search).
• Announces interoperability of Yahoo! Messenger and MSN Messenger (next summer).
• Introduces Yahoo! Audio Search (includes podcasts) into video search (beta).
• Trials blog search in South Korea.

AOL:

• Starts buying blog statistics from Intelliseek.
• Acquires the Weblogs Inc network from Jason Calacanis.
• AIM closes distribution alliances with blog boster Six Apart and web log Glam.com.
• Distribution alliances of AIM with LinkedIn and Facebook.
• Starts podcasts.

Viacom:

• MTV bought iFilm, which produces a.o. user generated content.
• MTV and Cisco introduce the Digital Incubator to feed the new college network mtvU Über with user-generated content
• CBS.com introduces blogs centered around TV shows.