This invention describes an audio snippet exchange network that allows people to subscribe to audio snippets that are published by other members on the network. The audio snippets may also have user contributed metadata related to them, such that the recipients can search a library of audio snippets and play back only those that match the search term. Oftentimes people want to take advantage of communication via social networks but are presently engaged in an activity such as driving or watching a live event. This audio snippet exchange network allows the person to have a largely uninterrupted experience while still publishing and consuming audio messages.