- Spotify is testing a new tool called Page Match that syncs your physical books with their audiobook versions
- Using your phone camera to scan the page of the book you're reading, Spotify will take you to the exact timestamp in the audiobook
- The feature is still in its infancy, but it will likely roll out to regions that support audiobooks if Spotify goes ahead with its release
Spotify is continuously evolving its audiobooks ecosystem, and it’s been testing a new tool that syncs audiobooks with physical literature, potentially challenging Audible's dominance.
The new feature, Page Match, will enable users to seamlessly switch between a physical book and its audiobook version on Spotify, making it easier to track page numbers for those who enjoy both formats.
Although it’s not yet available, Android Authority discovered a code reference to Page Match in the latest Spotify app update, indicating its functionality: “match your progress from the book page to the audiobook – and back again.” If launched, it will be accessible in regions where audiobooks are already supported.
This tool could become invaluable for frequent users of Spotify’s audiobooks, saving time spent searching for the corresponding page in a book that matches audiobook progress. The process is straightforward: simply scan the page you're reading with your phone’s camera, and Spotify will use optical character recognition (OCR) to match the text to the audiobook's timestamp. It also works in reverse, a feature competitors have yet to implement.
For audiobook listeners, Page Match will allow you to switch from a digital version to a paper copy of the book you’re enjoying. Based on the code reference, Spotify will provide the exact page number in a physical book that corresponds to your audiobook progress, adding an extra layer of convenience.
An Infant Feature, But a Bright Future
While still in development, insights into Page Match suggest a promising future. However, there are some limitations to consider. Currently, it appears that Page Match will only function if you own or have unlocked a Spotify audiobook, and you will be prompted to do so before using the tool. Additionally, Spotify’s OCR may face challenges in accurately identifying book pages when scanned, potentially requiring users to scan a nearby page instead.
Spotify’s commitment to expanding its audiobook offerings is evident, especially following the rollout of last year’s Audiobooks+, AI recaps, and Follow Along feature. This indicates that Spotify is not backing down and is rapidly catching up to Amazon’s flagship audiobook service, Audible.
Amazon’s Whispersync feature allows users to switch between Kindle eBooks and their Audible audiobook versions. While Amazon was the first to introduce this feature in 2012, Spotify’s Page Match takes it a step further by matching physical books to their digital counterparts, a territory Amazon has yet to explore.
As someone who occasionally struggles with reading slumps, I find Page Match compelling enough to consider swapping music for literature – but we’ll see how long that lasts.