US Internet search giant Yahoo launched a video-sharing service in a move that could capitalize on a hot online trend made clear by the popular young YouTube website.

The unveiling of the enhanced Yahoo Video service came as the Sunnyvale, California, company continued to vie with online juggernaut Google for devotees by becoming a place where online communities can build social networks.

The new Yahoo Video service was scheduled to go live on the Internet at 6:00 pm (0100 GMT Thursday), according to Jason Zajac, Yahoo’s manager of social media.