In its online presentation, Time introduced the 2010 list as follows: "In our annual Time 100 issue, we name the people who most affect our world". The overall list was organized with four main sub-lists: Leaders, Heroes, Artists, and Thinkers.
Time described its 2010 online list in this way: "In our annual Time 100 piece, we feature those who have the greatest influence on our world". The comprehensive list was divided into four primary sub-lists: Leaders, Heroes, Artists, and Thinkers.