Spectral analysis is a method that applies the principles of spectroscopy and experimental means to determine the structure, chemical composition and relative content of the measured substance. Soil labile organic matter (LOM) is an early and rapid sensitive indicator to ecosystem management measures, which is of significance to the study of soil quality changes. Soil LOM has been a study focus in recent years, it has various components separated by physical, chemical, biological and combined grouping. The quantitative methods in determining soil LOM components have uncertainty and difficulty, in which the analytical approach of quality change by applying spectral analysis can complement and validate the quantitative changes in obtaining accurate and detailed results. In this paper, the spectroscopic analysis methods for structural characterization of organic matter using modern molecular technologies including ultraviolet-visible spectrum (UV-vis), Fourier transform infrared spectrum (FTIR), three-dimensional fluorescence spectrum (3DEEM) and solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum (¹³C-NMR) were described in detail, and their applications and advances in soil LOM determination were also summarized. It is proposed that appropriate spectral analysis techniques should be selected according the study purposes. Specific spectral analysis method is recommended suitable for each soil LOM component. The paper could provide a technical reference for examining the quantity and quality changes of soil LOM.