In view of the lubrication and leakage characteristics of mechanical seals, it has been found that the texture designed for improving the lubrication and leakage properties always has complex design guidelines, and the texture with simple forms always leads to leakage increase while improving the lubrication property. Coordinated optimization of conflicting performances is a challenge of surface texture in mechanical seals. Optimization algorithm is an effective method to obtain the optimal solution objectively. The research progress of texture shape optimization based on single-objective optimization algorithm was introduced. The progress of coordinated optimization of lubrication and leakage characteristics for mechanical seals based on multi-objective optimization algorithm was analyzed and the optimizations of spiral groove parameters and free-form texture shape based on the objectives in term of load-carrying capacity and leakage rate were emphasized. Finally, the shortcomings of coordinated optimization research are pointed out and the development direction is prospected to further improve the application of surface texture in mechanical seals.