Single- molecule optical detection has been shown as an important tool for the research in physics, chemistry and biology in recent years. Effective manipulation of single-molecule fluorescence is of great significance for the preparation of quantum devices and for the detection of chemical reactions and biological phenomena. In this review, recent studies on manipulating and controlling single- molecule fluorescence are summarized, including electric field induced single-molecule fluorescence modulation, hysteresis of single-molecule fluorescence and fabrication of single-molecule based fluorescence switch.