Quorum sensing (QS) is an important communication mechanism for bacterial intra- and inter-species information transmission, and is an important target for the prevention and control of bacterial infections. However, the QS network is complex and diverse, with a wide variety of low content signaling molecules. The detection of signaling molecules is hot and difficult in the research fields of QS system. In this paper, the structure of QS signaling molecules and corresponding detection methods are reviewed, and the future research direction and existing problems are prospected, so as to provide reference for the research fields in QS system pathway and mechanism, pharmacy, food, clinical practice, environment, et al.