This study utilized HistCite, VOSviewer, and CiteSpace analytical tools to generate visualizations of data retrieved from the Web of Science (WOS) database, aiming to comprehensively understand current research status and frontier trends in flue gas mercury removal. A systematic analysis was conducted on 2,489 publications spanning 1998 to 2024, involving contributions from 4,496 authors at 1,245 institutions across 64 countries, published in 290 journals. The results indicate that the number of publications in the field of flue gas mercury removal has demonstrated an overall upward trend over the past two decades. Currently, China and Huazhong University of Science and Technology are identified as the most productive country and research institution, respectively, in this research domain. Environmental Science & Technology emerges as the most influential and authoritative journal in flue gas mercury removal studies. Keyword cluster analysis reveals three predominant research themes: adsorption-based mercury removal technologies utilizing activated carbon and other adsorbent materials, catalytic oxidation mercury removal technologies, and oxidation-based mercury removal technologies. Furthermore, keyword burst detection analysis highlights that the simultaneous removal of SO₂, NO_x, and Hg⁰ has become a current research focus in this field.