Google/YouTube Still Leads in a Growing Online Video Market

February has been a big month for online video. Google (GOOG) announced plans to incorporate video ads into search results. YouTube launched video ads in a big way. And Yahoo! Video (YHOO) re-launched with wider screen and enhanced social networking features.

Overall, the online video market grew 3% for the month. Compete tracks US-based traffic to 50+ online video properties.

YouTube continued to lead the pack, with a market share hovering around 50% since August.

Meanwhile, ManiaTV, which features indie music and news on Hollywood scene, caught attention with a 40% surge in visits on a 15% lift in unique visitors. Shows from B-list celebrities like Tom Green and Dave Navarro kept viewers coming back..

That’s good news for ManiaTV, especially since the 2nd string/niche video aggregators (think Heavy and Break) are tightening around 3.5 – 4M unique visitors.

Lastly, the new Yahoo! Video brings videos across the Yahoo! network and enables users to build out video-based profiles and join a community. On the February 15th launch, the site featured an exclusive: a trailer for the new Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.