A large number of experimental results of different surfactant adsorption systems (mainly on the silicas) obtained from both equilibrium and kinetic studies under different conditions are interpreted by a model of small individual surface aggregates. The adsorption model is contrasted with the influences of various factors, including electrostatic interaction, hydrophobic interaction, concentrations, types of coions, types of counterions, surfactant structure, alkyl chain length, types of head groups, neutral electrolytes, pH, adsorbent structure, porosity, surface charge density, and surface polarity.