<p>Cloud computing faces numerous challenges, primarily NP-hard problems; hence, metaheuristic algorithms are needed for efficient solutions. One widely accepted and efficient meta-heuristic technique is the Whale Optimization Algorithm (WOA), an optimization approach used for numerous cloud computing challenges. Although WOA has been proven beneficial, no in-depth study has examined its use in cloud computing. This contribution gives an in-depth review of the WOA algorithm for critical cloud computing problems. The problems have been divided into various sections: replication, service composition, consolidation, load balancing, resource allocation, and task scheduling. This survey compares various methods, underlines the critical components of each, and points to unresolved issues, providing important insight into those obstacles that must be overcome.</p>