Abstract: Semi-conductive shielding materials are the key raw materials of medium- and high-voltage cables, with their quality directly influencing the voltage level and operation reliability. Conductive filler is one of the important components of semi-conductive shielding materials, playing a decisive role in the key performance such as electrical properties, mechanical properties, and surface roughness. Conductive carbon black (CCB) is currently the preferred conductive filler in the industrial production of medium- and high-voltage cable semi-conductive shielding materials due to advantages such as low cost and easy processing. In this paper, the formation mechanism, structural features, physical and chemical properties of CCB are systematically elaborated, putting forward that impurity and dispersibility are the main factors affecting the quality of CCB. Finally, the current research progress of CCB for cable semi-conductive shielding materials is summarized. It is pointed out that future research of CCB should be focused on the impurity control and dispersion improvement.