Our Methodology

How we separate modern SEO agencies from dinosaurs. Transparent, data-driven, and completely independent.

Why We Built This

Finding a good SEO agency is painful. Most directories are pay-to-play. Most "best of" lists are affiliate schemes. Most agencies are stuck in 2015.

We built Death to SEO because we were tired of seeing companies waste $50k+ on agencies that:

  • Still guarantee "first-page rankings"
  • Sell keyword-stuffed blog posts and PBN links
  • Report traffic instead of revenue
  • Have no clue about AI search, LLMs, or modern ranking factors

Our mission:

Build a directory where every listed agency understands modern search: AI visibility, brand authority, and business outcomes.

Our Vetting Process

Every agency goes through the same evaluation. No exceptions. No shortcuts.

1. Website Content Audit

Do they practice what they preach?

/10
+3 points: Blog/resources mention AI search, LLM visibility, brand SEO, or GEO
+3 points: Case studies show business outcomes (revenue, pipeline) not just traffic
+2 points: Service pages focus on ROI, not rankings
+2 points: Content published in last 6 months (actively maintaining)
-5 points: Guaranteed rankings, "500 backlinks/month," or other red flags

2. LLM Visibility Test

Can they rank in AI search?

/10
+4 points: Cited by ChatGPT for industry queries (e.g., "best SaaS SEO agencies")
+3 points: Appears in Perplexity results for relevant queries
+2 points: Found in Claude or Gemini results
+1 point: Featured in Google AI Overviews for target keywords

We test 5-10 industry queries. If they can't rank in AI search, how will they help you?

3. Public Footprint

Are they recognized in the industry?

/10
+3 points: Founders/team actively share insights on LinkedIn, Twitter, or podcasts
+3 points: Mentioned in industry publications (Search Engine Journal, Moz, etc.)
+2 points: Speaking at conferences or webinars
+2 points: Original research, tools, or frameworks published

4. Client Reviews

What do real clients say?

/10
+4 points: Clutch/G2 score 4.5+ with 10+ reviews
+3 points: Reviews mention ROI, revenue, or business growth
+2 points: Recent reviews (within last 12 months)
+1 point: Public case studies with verified clients
-3 points: Multiple negative reviews mentioning lack of results

Scoring & Certification Tiers

Listed
32-35

points

Meets baseline standards. Understands modern SEO. No major red flags. Free listing in directory.

Verified
36-38

points

Strong performance across all criteria. Active thought leadership. Verified client results. Badge + priority in search.

Certified
39-40

points

Top tier. Exceptional in all areas. Leading the industry in modern SEO. Featured placement + certified badge + priority leads.

Below 32 points?

Not listed. We don't feature agencies stuck in 2015, no matter how much they want to pay.

What We DON'T Do

No Pay-to-Play

Agencies can't buy their way onto the list. Period.

No Affiliate Schemes

We don't take kickbacks or referral fees from agencies.

No Favoritism

Every agency is scored the same way. No exceptions.

No Fake Reviews

We only reference verified reviews from Clutch, G2, and Google.

How We Make Money

Transparency matters. Here's our business model:

Lead Marketplace Model

When you submit a project, we match you with 3-5 agencies. Those agencies pay us $400-800 per qualified lead.

This aligns our incentives: We only make money when we send agencies qualified leads. Quality matters more than quantity.

Optional Certification Program (Coming Soon)

Agencies can upgrade to Certified tier ($200-300/month) for priority lead matching and featured placement. But they still need to score 36+ points to qualify.

Money doesn't buy certification. It only unlocks benefits after you've proven quality.

Ready to Find a Modern SEO Agency?

Every agency in our directory scored 32+ points. No 2015 tactics. No BS.

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