<p>Efficient microorganisms (EM) are microbial communities that can be extracted from fertile soils or, due to their biotechnological potential, found in commercial formulations, with defined composition. This technology has been studied since the 1970s with an initial focus on agriculture, such as plant growth promotion, solubilization of nutrients, and the action in the plant defense system. However, over time, new technologies using EM have evolved, ranging from selecting strains with higher functional potential to genetic modification strategies. A comprehensive review of scientific publications on EM research was conducted, employing scientometric analysis techniques. This review is motivated by the growing relevance of EM in agriculture, industry, and environmental applications. The Web of Science and Scopus databases were used, and the data were analyzed using Phyton-based tools. The first scientific publications on the topic, discovered in the database, date back to 1991. Notably, China had led in publication outputs, followed by Poland and Brazil. The main research approaches using EM are in agriculture and environmental remediation and compound degradation; however, new technologies have emerged, with applications in veterinary, medicine, and civil engineering, among others. The field of research involving applications of efficient microorganisms is still developing, offering numerous promising avenues for exploration. Consequently, there is a need for more extensive and careful investigations into the use of these microorganisms in various sectors. This study provides a robust scientometric baseline to support future research and technological development involving EM.</p> Graphical Abstract <p></p>