High Utility Itemsets Mining (HUIM) is able to mine the items with high significance from transaction database, thus helping users to make better decisions. In view of the fact that the application of intelligent optimization algorithms can significantly improve the mining efficiency of high utility itemsets in massive data, a survey of intelligent optimization algorithm-based HUIM methods was presented. Firstly, detailed analysis and summary of the intelligent optimization algorithm-based HUIM methods were performed from three aspects: swarm intelligence optimization-based, evolution-based and other intelligent optimization algorithms-based methods. Meanwhile, the Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO)-based HUIM methods were sorted out in detail from the aspect of particle update methods, including traditional update strategy-based, sigmoid function-based, greedy-based, roulette-based and ensemble-based methods. Additionally, the swarm intelligence optimization algorithm-based HUIM methods were compared and analyzed from the perspectives of population update methods, comparison algorithms, parameter settings, advantages and disadvantages, etc. Next, the evolution-based HUIM methods were summarized and outlined in terms of both genetic and bionic aspects. Finally, the next research directions were proposed for the problems of the existing intelligent optimization algorithm-based HUIM methods.