A software and/or hardware facility is described that enables searches for transient multimedia resources that are contained in real-time multimedia streams. Because real-time data streams are not archived for subsequent access, transient resources contained in the streams are preferably quickly identified, characterized in a database, and indexed so that the facility can locate transient resources that are responsive to search queries. Stream listeners are disclosed that are configured to monitor data streams and identify transient resources within the streams based on associated metadata. Various techniques are disclosed to optimize the operation of the stream listeners. In response to a search query, search results are generated by the facility that include transient multimedia resources that are accessible via a network at the time that the search query is received.