Laser rock drilling technology is a new drilling technology that utilizes the advantages of high-energy laser to achieve high-efficiency and controllable destruction of complex lithologic rock formations. It exhibits great development potential in oil and gas exploitation and mining excavation. However, current research on laser rock drilling technology is based on indoor experiments and theoretical explorations; therefore, many challenges are to be overcome prior to its industrial application. This paper focus on the objects involved in the interaction between laser and rock, and the results on the influencing factors of rock removal by laser are summarized. Furthermore, the influence mechanism of laser parameters, rock properties, laser transfer medium, and the working environment are analyzed. Moreover, certain suggestions aiming at solving the existing problems and indicating future research directions in laser rock drilling technology research are presented. Numerous studies show that numerous different kinds of factors have different mechanisms for rock removal by laser. The quantification of the multi-factor influencing mechanism of rock removal by laser, the screening of the key influencing factors, and the coordination of the multi-factor interaction constitute the important subjects of the laser rock drilling technology applications.