Surface plasmon (SP) is electron density oscillation wave that propagates at the metal-dielectric interface. When the oscillation frequency matches with the incident light frequency, surface plasmon resonance effects are induced. It leads to strong light extinction and field enhancement near the metal structures. SP resonance effect can be applied to SP imaging, SP waveguide, biology sensing and spectral enhancement. The research progress of metal nanostructure enhanced fluorescence was reviewed. Firstly, the mechanism of metal enhanced fluorescence and the factors influencing fluorescence enhancement were introduced. Then, the research progress in fluorescence enhancement using different metal structures was reviewed. Finally, some new applications of fluorescence enhancement such as food testing, environmental testing, imaging optics, optoelectronic devices, fluorescence upconversion were introduced.