I don’t link to eCOGRA.
I do however have a site about eCOGRA and have had it for a very long time, much longer than I have been listed there, which is a recent addition.
So the SEO theory doesn’t hold.
Additionally, if eCOGRA wanted to exchange links with portals, they’d likely stand in line.
Someone contacted me and implied that since I am a moderator I can’t express myself freely here.
That’ll be the day!