Podcast Summary: Grumpy SEO Guy

Episode 130: Are SEO Link Directories Useful? (Bonus Episode)

Date: November 5, 2025
Host: Grumpy SEO Guy

Episode Overview

In this bonus episode, Grumpy SEO Guy dives deep into the world of link directories and their relevance (or lack thereof) for SEO in 2025. Drawing from 14 years of agency experience, the host candidly explains the historical origins of directories, their current role in backlink profiles, and why most modern directory links are at best pointless and at worst spammy. The tone is no-nonsense, grumpy, and grounded in real-world SEO frustrations.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Historical Context of Link Directories

• What are directories? Why did they exist?
  • Before search engines became robust, directories were how people found websites.
  • Directories would aggregate links on a topic (e.g., art) because search wasn’t reliable.
  • “So, a long time ago, before search engines, if you wanted to find something, you had to use a directory.” (06:06)
  • Their noteworthiness is mostly historic: “Anybody who's been online for a while has heard of directories, because it used to be a pretty...not a big concept, but a pretty noteworthy concept.” (07:16)

2. Common Problems with Modern Directory Backlinks

• Template-Based “Copycat” Directories
  • Many directories look identical: same layout/theme, just different colors. “They’re copies of each other. It’s like somebody used a template and made a whole lot of these sites.” (08:16)
• Shared IP Addresses
  • Hosts note that when directories are clustered on the same IP, it leaves an “unnatural” footprint.
  • “If you have many sites and they're on the same IP address and all of those sites are linking to you—that's a footprint. That would never organically happen.” (09:01)
• They’re Often Link Farms
  • Many directories are “link farms” with hundreds of outbound links (OBLs) per page.
  • No content or context—just lists of business names and links.
  • “Let me describe a page to you...hundreds of outbound links per page. Do you think that looks natural? ...It's just the name of the business and a link...that is super spammy.” (10:06, 10:50)

3. Do Link Directories Help SEO?

• Super Spammy Link Farms = No Real Value

  • “Most of these link directories that we're seeing are link farms, which means they have no value.” (11:32)
  • “You do not want to get backlinks on those. I mean, they're probably not going to hurt you, but they're not going to help you.” (13:00)

• The One Exception: Local and Legitimate Directories

  • Some genuine value for local businesses listed in real, local directories.
  • “If you can get listed in an actual local directory from a real company or a real organization in your town...that will help you.” (12:02)
  • Distinction: These should not be “made-for-backlinks nonsense” but real organizations helping real businesses.

4. Why Are So Many Directory Backlinks Still Out There?

• Bad Practices from Some SEO Agencies
  • “They worked with some SEO agency who's like, ‘We're going to get you some backlinks,’ and then they bought link directory backlinks.” (13:31)
• Persistent Myths About Directory Value
  • “For some reason, the idea of link directories is still a thing, and people think you should be listed on them. But they're not going to help you. Why? Because they have hundreds of outbound links per page. Come on.” (14:00)
• Automated Link-Building by Bots
  • Some directories aggregate links indiscriminately, possibly not even by humans.

5. Actionable Takeaways

• Avoid Spammy Directories
  • “When your strategy is to get backlinks, probably avoid link directories. Unless you’re talking local SEO and you’re specifically getting listed on the directories like I mentioned.” (15:15)
• Local/Relevant Directories Only
  • Local or highly relevant directories can give a boost—otherwise, skip them.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On directories’ historic purpose:
  • “So a long time ago, before search engines, if you wanted to find something, you had to use a directory.” (06:06)
• On footprint from IPs:
  • “You do not want a lot of backlinks from websites on the same IP address...it means they are probably run by the same person. So it is unnatural.” (09:14)
• On link farms:
  • “That is super spammy. Okay, that is super spammy.” (10:54)
• On most modern link directories:
  • “All of these link farms...most of these link directories that we’re seeing are link farms, which means they have no value.” (11:32)
• On the only exception:
  • “Sometimes for local SEO, if you can get listed in an actual local directory from a real company or a real organization in your town...that will help you.” (12:02)

Important Timestamps

• What are link directories? (History & context): 06:06 – 07:30
• Why modern directories are problematic (template clones, shared IPs): 08:00 – 09:30
• Explanation of link farms & what they look like: 10:00 – 10:54
• Are link directories useful? Super spammy ones aren’t: 11:30 – 13:00
• The only valuable exception – local directories: 12:02 – 12:30
• Why do they still exist? SEO agencies, myths, automation: 13:31 – 15:00
• Final recommendation: 15:15

Host's Tone & Style

• Direct, grumpy, and dismissive of outdated or “nonsense” tactics.
• Focused on actionable, proven experience from 14 years in the field.
• Candid language, sometimes repetitive for emphasis (“super spammy,” “literally none”).

Summary Table: Link Directory Use

| Directory Type | Value for SEO? | Notes | |-------------------------- |------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------| | Spammy, template-based | ❌ None | Too many OBLs; leave a footprint; look unnatural | | Local, relevant directory | ✔ Possible help | Must be real, local, and relevant | | Mass automated directories| ❌ None | Often created by bots; no contextual benefit |

Core Takeaway

Don’t waste time or money on directory backlinks unless they’re from a real, legitimate, local organization. Most are spammy link farms and offer no SEO benefit. If your site has these links, don’t panic—they’re unlikely to hurt you, but certainly won’t help.

For further questions, suggestions, or follow-ups, the host invites contact via Reddit or email.