Spotify is preparing to introduce a new audiobook feature that aims to bridge the gap between digital listening and traditional reading. The tool, referred to internally as Page Match, would allow users to sync their progress between an audiobook on Spotify and a physical copy of the same book. Rather than relying on manual bookmarks or estimates, the feature uses a photo of a printed page to determine where a listener should resume playback.
According to findings surfaced in recent app code, Page Match works by letting users snap an image of the page they are currently reading. Spotify then analyzes the photo and jumps the audiobook to the corresponding point in the narration. The process also works in reverse. If a listener is partway through an audiobook, the feature can indicate which page that section aligns with in the physical book, making it easier to switch formats without losing track of progress.
While the feature is not yet active, references in Spotify’s latest mobile app builds suggest development is well underway. Screens within the app point to a camera-based workflow, implying that optical recognition will play a key role in matching printed text to audiobook timestamps. Spotify has not shared a public release date, but the presence of these elements suggests the company is testing the functionality internally.
Page Match will reportedly require users to already own or have unlocked the audiobook through Spotify. As with the rest of Spotify’s audiobook catalog, availability will be limited to regions where audiobooks are currently supported. This keeps the feature aligned with Spotify’s existing licensing framework rather than expanding access to content users have not purchased or unlocked.
The idea itself is not entirely new, but the implementation is notable. Amazon offers a comparable syncing feature between its ebooks and audiobooks, allowing users to move seamlessly between reading on a screen and listening. However, that system does not extend to physical books, making Spotify’s approach distinct if it launches as described.
The feature also reflects Spotify’s broader push to make audiobooks feel less like a separate add-on and more like a natural extension of reading habits. By acknowledging that many users still prefer printed books, Page Match positions audiobooks as complementary rather than competitive. If executed reliably, it could appeal to readers who alternate between formats depending on time, setting, or attention span.
For now, Page Match remains unannounced officially, but its discovery underscores Spotify’s continued investment in audiobook features beyond pricing changes and catalog growth. Whether it becomes a widely used tool will likely depend on how accurately and quickly it can match printed pages to audio content in real-world conditions.
