Abstract: The rhizosphere is a micro-environment that is dramatically affected by roots. It is also a bridge between plant and soil. The roots can affect the structure and diversity of rhizosphere microorganisms by regulating the species and quantity of root exudates. The rhizosphere microorganisms can affect root exudates by changing the soil properties, which influences the growth of plants. All of the research progresses were needed to be reviewed and some key points should be pointed out. In this paper, 64 references related to the interaction between root exudates and rhizosphere microorganisms from 1999 to 2020 were analyzed. All the references were selected from the CNKI database and Web of Science database. The latest research results on the interaction between root exudates and rhizosphere microorganisms were reviewed, including the effects of root exudates on the species, quantity and distribution of rhizosphere microorganisms, the effects of environmental stress on root exudates and rhizosphere microorganisms, and the effects of rhizosphere microorganisms on plant growth. Besides, the prospects for further research are given in this field. Understanding the complex interaction between root exudates and rhizosphere microorganisms has important theoretical and practical meaning for revealing the regulation of rhizosphere micro-ecology and the function of soil microbiome.