Two human polls comprise the 1988–89 NCAA Division I women's basketball rankings, the AP Poll and the Coaches Poll, in addition to various publications' preseason polls.

The AP poll is currently a poll of sportswriters, while the USA Today Coaches' Poll is a poll of college coaches.

The AP conducts polls weekly through the end of the regular season and conference play, while the Coaches poll conducts a final, post-NCAA tournament poll as well.

The poll produced a list of the top 20 teams from the inception through the 1988–89 season.

[1] In 1989–90, the change was made to produce a list of the top 25 teams.