The women's basketball poll began during the 1976–77 season, and was initially compiled by Mel Greenberg and published by The Philadelphia Inquirer.

At first, it was a poll of coaches conducted via telephone, where coaches identified top teams and a list of the Top 20 teams was produced.

The contributors continued to be coaches until 1994, when the AP took over administration of the poll from Greenberg, and switched to a panel of writers.

It is compiled by a rotating group of 31 college Division I head coaches.

The maximum points a single team can earn is 775.