During horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing, with the retention of working fluid, water-rock interactions change the characteristics of marine shale reservoirs and the development effect of shale gas wells. Clarifying the mechanism of water-rock interactions and its influence on the occurrence and migration of shale gas is the basis for guiding shale gas production and development. Existing studies have shown that mineral composition, pore structure, fluid properties, and their interactions are the major factors affecting shale water absorption. Water molecules occupy methane adsorption sites on pore surface, leading to gas-water replacement effect, increasing pore fluid pressure and reducing reservoir gas content. Water-rock interactions lead to mineral expansion and shedding, changes in reservoir mechanical characteristics and physical parameters, and produce numerous secondary pores and fractures. These secondary transformations provided more percolation channels for fluid migration and improved the percolation capacity of the reservoir, but pore water and mineral particles blocked some pores and fractures, resulting in lower gas permeability of the reservoir. In view of the existing research understanding and shortcomings, it is suggested to carry out further research in the following aspects:1) Perform fine division and quantitative analysis of water in shale pores; 2) Clarify the mechanism of gas-water competitive adsorption and its influence on shale gas content; 3) Analyze the influence of water-rock interaction on the pore-fracture characteristics and mineral composition of shale; 4) Explore the influence of water-rock interaction on reservoir water-bearing characteristics and development effects.