diff --git a/app/controllers/api/v1/directories_controller.rb b/app/controllers/api/v1/directories_controller.rb
deleted file mode 100644
index 1109435507..0000000000
--- a/app/controllers/api/v1/directories_controller.rb
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,55 +0,0 @@
-# frozen_string_literal: true
-
-class Api::V1::DirectoriesController < Api::BaseController
-  before_action :require_enabled!
-  before_action :set_accounts
-
-  def show
-    cache_if_unauthenticated!
-    render json: @accounts, each_serializer: REST::AccountSerializer
-  end
-
-  private
-
-  def require_enabled!
-    return not_found unless Setting.profile_directory
-  end
-
-  def set_accounts
-    @accounts = accounts_scope.offset(params[:offset]).limit(limit_param(DEFAULT_ACCOUNTS_LIMIT))
-  end
-
-  def accounts_scope
-    Account.discoverable.tap do |scope|
-      scope.merge!(account_order_scope)
-      scope.merge!(local_account_scope) if local_accounts?
-      scope.merge!(account_exclusion_scope) if current_account
-      scope.merge!(account_domain_block_scope) if current_account && !local_accounts?
-    end
-  end
-
-  def local_accounts?
-    truthy_param?(:local)
-  end
-
-  def account_order_scope
-    case params[:order]
-    when 'new'
-      Account.order(id: :desc)
-    when 'active', nil
-      Account.by_recent_status
-    end
-  end
-
-  def local_account_scope
-    Account.local
-  end
-
-  def account_exclusion_scope
-    Account.not_excluded_by_account(current_account)
-  end
-
-  def account_domain_block_scope
-    Account.not_domain_blocked_by_account(current_account)
-  end
-end
diff --git a/app/javascript/mastodon/features/directory/index.jsx b/app/javascript/mastodon/features/directory/index.jsx
deleted file mode 100644
index df25331966..0000000000
--- a/app/javascript/mastodon/features/directory/index.jsx
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,183 +0,0 @@
-import PropTypes from 'prop-types';
-import { PureComponent } from 'react';
-
-import { defineMessages, injectIntl } from 'react-intl';
-
-import { Helmet } from 'react-helmet';
-
-import { List as ImmutableList } from 'immutable';
-import ImmutablePropTypes from 'react-immutable-proptypes';
-import { connect } from 'react-redux';
-
-import { addColumn, removeColumn, moveColumn, changeColumnParams } from 'mastodon/actions/columns';
-import { fetchDirectory, expandDirectory } from 'mastodon/actions/directory';
-import Column from 'mastodon/components/column';
-import ColumnHeader from 'mastodon/components/column_header';
-import { LoadMore } from 'mastodon/components/load_more';
-import { LoadingIndicator } from 'mastodon/components/loading_indicator';
-import { RadioButton } from 'mastodon/components/radio_button';
-import ScrollContainer from 'mastodon/containers/scroll_container';
-
-import AccountCard from './components/account_card';
-
-const messages = defineMessages({
-  title: { id: 'column.directory', defaultMessage: 'Browse profiles' },
-  recentlyActive: { id: 'directory.recently_active', defaultMessage: 'Recently active' },
-  newArrivals: { id: 'directory.new_arrivals', defaultMessage: 'New arrivals' },
-  local: { id: 'directory.local', defaultMessage: 'From {domain} only' },
-  federated: { id: 'directory.federated', defaultMessage: 'From known fediverse' },
-});
-
-const mapStateToProps = state => ({
-  accountIds: state.getIn(['user_lists', 'directory', 'items'], ImmutableList()),
-  isLoading: state.getIn(['user_lists', 'directory', 'isLoading'], true),
-  domain: state.getIn(['meta', 'domain']),
-});
-
-class Directory extends PureComponent {
-
-  static contextTypes = {
-    router: PropTypes.object,
-  };
-
-  static propTypes = {
-    isLoading: PropTypes.bool,
-    accountIds: ImmutablePropTypes.list.isRequired,
-    dispatch: PropTypes.func.isRequired,
-    columnId: PropTypes.string,
-    intl: PropTypes.object.isRequired,
-    multiColumn: PropTypes.bool,
-    domain: PropTypes.string.isRequired,
-    params: PropTypes.shape({
-      order: PropTypes.string,
-      local: PropTypes.bool,
-    }),
-  };
-
-  state = {
-    order: null,
-    local: null,
-  };
-
-  handlePin = () => {
-    const { columnId, dispatch } = this.props;
-
-    if (columnId) {
-      dispatch(removeColumn(columnId));
-    } else {
-      dispatch(addColumn('DIRECTORY', this.getParams(this.props, this.state)));
-    }
-  };
-
-  getParams = (props, state) => ({
-    order: state.order === null ? (props.params.order || 'active') : state.order,
-    local: state.local === null ? (props.params.local || false) : state.local,
-  });
-
-  handleMove = dir => {
-    const { columnId, dispatch } = this.props;
-    dispatch(moveColumn(columnId, dir));
-  };
-
-  handleHeaderClick = () => {
-    this.column.scrollTop();
-  };
-
-  componentDidMount () {
-    const { dispatch } = this.props;
-    dispatch(fetchDirectory(this.getParams(this.props, this.state)));
-  }
-
-  componentDidUpdate (prevProps, prevState) {
-    const { dispatch } = this.props;
-    const paramsOld = this.getParams(prevProps, prevState);
-    const paramsNew = this.getParams(this.props, this.state);
-
-    if (paramsOld.order !== paramsNew.order || paramsOld.local !== paramsNew.local) {
-      dispatch(fetchDirectory(paramsNew));
-    }
-  }
-
-  setRef = c => {
-    this.column = c;
-  };
-
-  handleChangeOrder = e => {
-    const { dispatch, columnId } = this.props;
-
-    if (columnId) {
-      dispatch(changeColumnParams(columnId, ['order'], e.target.value));
-    } else {
-      this.setState({ order: e.target.value });
-    }
-  };
-
-  handleChangeLocal = e => {
-    const { dispatch, columnId } = this.props;
-
-    if (columnId) {
-      dispatch(changeColumnParams(columnId, ['local'], e.target.value === '1'));
-    } else {
-      this.setState({ local: e.target.value === '1' });
-    }
-  };
-
-  handleLoadMore = () => {
-    const { dispatch } = this.props;
-    dispatch(expandDirectory(this.getParams(this.props, this.state)));
-  };
-
-  render () {
-    const { isLoading, accountIds, intl, columnId, multiColumn, domain } = this.props;
-    const { order, local }  = this.getParams(this.props, this.state);
-    const pinned = !!columnId;
-
-    const scrollableArea = (
-      <div className='scrollable'>
-        <div className='filter-form'>
-          <div className='filter-form__column' role='group'>
-            <RadioButton name='order' value='active' label={intl.formatMessage(messages.recentlyActive)} checked={order === 'active'} onChange={this.handleChangeOrder} />
-            <RadioButton name='order' value='new' label={intl.formatMessage(messages.newArrivals)} checked={order === 'new'} onChange={this.handleChangeOrder} />
-          </div>
-
-          <div className='filter-form__column' role='group'>
-            <RadioButton name='local' value='1' label={intl.formatMessage(messages.local, { domain })} checked={local} onChange={this.handleChangeLocal} />
-            <RadioButton name='local' value='0' label={intl.formatMessage(messages.federated)} checked={!local} onChange={this.handleChangeLocal} />
-          </div>
-        </div>
-
-        <div className='directory__list'>
-          {isLoading ? <LoadingIndicator /> : accountIds.map(accountId => (
-            <AccountCard id={accountId} key={accountId} />
-          ))}
-        </div>
-
-        <LoadMore onClick={this.handleLoadMore} visible={!isLoading} />
-      </div>
-    );
-
-    return (
-      <Column bindToDocument={!multiColumn} ref={this.setRef} label={intl.formatMessage(messages.title)}>
-        <ColumnHeader
-          icon='address-book-o'
-          title={intl.formatMessage(messages.title)}
-          onPin={this.handlePin}
-          onMove={this.handleMove}
-          onClick={this.handleHeaderClick}
-          pinned={pinned}
-          multiColumn={multiColumn}
-        />
-
-        {multiColumn && !pinned ? <ScrollContainer scrollKey='directory'>{scrollableArea}</ScrollContainer> : scrollableArea}
-
-        <Helmet>
-          <title>{intl.formatMessage(messages.title)}</title>
-          <meta name='robots' content='noindex' />
-        </Helmet>
-      </Column>
-    );
-  }
-
-}
-
-export default connect(mapStateToProps)(injectIntl(Directory));
diff --git a/app/javascript/mastodon/features/directory/components/account_card.jsx b/app/javascript/mastodon/features/explore/components/account_card.jsx
similarity index 100%
rename from app/javascript/mastodon/features/directory/components/account_card.jsx
rename to app/javascript/mastodon/features/explore/components/account_card.jsx
diff --git a/app/javascript/mastodon/features/explore/suggestions.jsx b/app/javascript/mastodon/features/explore/suggestions.jsx
index f2907cdb22..15b53bb454 100644
--- a/app/javascript/mastodon/features/explore/suggestions.jsx
+++ b/app/javascript/mastodon/features/explore/suggestions.jsx
@@ -8,7 +8,8 @@ import { connect } from 'react-redux';
 
 import { fetchSuggestions } from 'mastodon/actions/suggestions';
 import { LoadingIndicator } from 'mastodon/components/loading_indicator';
-import AccountCard from 'mastodon/features/directory/components/account_card';
+
+import AccountCard from './components/account_card';
 
 const mapStateToProps = state => ({
   suggestions: state.getIn(['suggestions', 'items']),
diff --git a/app/javascript/mastodon/features/ui/components/columns_area.jsx b/app/javascript/mastodon/features/ui/components/columns_area.jsx
index 672f28fb7d..5ce5bfa9fa 100644
--- a/app/javascript/mastodon/features/ui/components/columns_area.jsx
+++ b/app/javascript/mastodon/features/ui/components/columns_area.jsx
@@ -19,7 +19,6 @@ import {
   FavouritedStatuses,
   BookmarkedStatuses,
   ListTimeline,
-  Directory,
 } from '../util/async-components';
 
 import BundleColumnError from './bundle_column_error';
@@ -40,7 +39,6 @@ const componentMap = {
   'FAVOURITES': FavouritedStatuses,
   'BOOKMARKS': BookmarkedStatuses,
   'LIST': ListTimeline,
-  'DIRECTORY': Directory,
 };
 
 export default class ColumnsArea extends ImmutablePureComponent {
diff --git a/app/javascript/mastodon/features/ui/components/link_footer.jsx b/app/javascript/mastodon/features/ui/components/link_footer.jsx
index 7aaa887ac6..251a88b639 100644
--- a/app/javascript/mastodon/features/ui/components/link_footer.jsx
+++ b/app/javascript/mastodon/features/ui/components/link_footer.jsx
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ import { Link } from 'react-router-dom';
 import { connect } from 'react-redux';
 
 import { openModal } from 'mastodon/actions/modal';
-import { domain, version, source_url, statusPageUrl, profile_directory as profileDirectory } from 'mastodon/initial_state';
+import { domain, version, source_url, statusPageUrl } from 'mastodon/initial_state';
 import { PERMISSION_INVITE_USERS } from 'mastodon/permissions';
 import { logOut } from 'mastodon/utils/log_out';
 
@@ -57,7 +57,6 @@ class LinkFooter extends PureComponent {
     const { multiColumn } = this.props;
 
     const canInvite = signedIn && ((permissions & PERMISSION_INVITE_USERS) === PERMISSION_INVITE_USERS);
-    const canProfileDirectory = profileDirectory;
 
     const DividingCircle = <span aria-hidden>{' · '}</span>;
 
@@ -79,12 +78,6 @@ class LinkFooter extends PureComponent {
               <a href='/invites' target='_blank'><FormattedMessage id='footer.invite' defaultMessage='Invite people' /></a>
             </>
           )}
-          {canProfileDirectory && (
-            <>
-              {DividingCircle}
-              <Link to='/directory'><FormattedMessage id='footer.directory' defaultMessage='Profiles directory' /></Link>
-            </>
-          )}
           {DividingCircle}
           <Link to='/privacy-policy' target={multiColumn ? '_blank' : undefined}><FormattedMessage id='footer.privacy_policy' defaultMessage='Privacy policy' /></Link>
         </p>
diff --git a/app/javascript/mastodon/features/ui/index.jsx b/app/javascript/mastodon/features/ui/index.jsx
index 55ccde72f5..028fbe0094 100644
--- a/app/javascript/mastodon/features/ui/index.jsx
+++ b/app/javascript/mastodon/features/ui/index.jsx
@@ -57,7 +57,6 @@ import {
   Mutes,
   PinnedStatuses,
   Lists,
-  Directory,
   Explore,
   Onboarding,
   About,
@@ -207,7 +206,6 @@ class SwitchingColumnsArea extends PureComponent {
           <WrappedRoute path='/pinned' component={PinnedStatuses} content={children} />
 
           <WrappedRoute path='/start' exact component={Onboarding} content={children} />
-          <WrappedRoute path='/directory' component={Directory} content={children} />
           <WrappedRoute path={['/explore', '/search']} component={Explore} content={children} />
           <WrappedRoute path={['/publish', '/statuses/new']} component={Compose} content={children} />
 
diff --git a/app/javascript/mastodon/features/ui/util/async-components.js b/app/javascript/mastodon/features/ui/util/async-components.js
index 7b968204be..e4a01e4d1a 100644
--- a/app/javascript/mastodon/features/ui/util/async-components.js
+++ b/app/javascript/mastodon/features/ui/util/async-components.js
@@ -150,10 +150,6 @@ export function Audio () {
   return import(/* webpackChunkName: "features/audio" */'../../audio');
 }
 
-export function Directory () {
-  return import(/* webpackChunkName: "features/directory" */'../../directory');
-}
-
 export function Onboarding () {
   return import(/* webpackChunkName: "features/onboarding" */'../../onboarding');
 }
diff --git a/app/javascript/mastodon/initial_state.js b/app/javascript/mastodon/initial_state.js
index 11cd2a1673..06d909ee77 100644
--- a/app/javascript/mastodon/initial_state.js
+++ b/app/javascript/mastodon/initial_state.js
@@ -63,7 +63,6 @@
  * @property {string=} me
  * @property {string=} moved_to_account_id
  * @property {string=} owner
- * @property {boolean} profile_directory
  * @property {boolean} registrations_open
  * @property {boolean} reduce_motion
  * @property {string} repository
@@ -124,7 +123,6 @@ export const mascot = getMeta('mascot');
 export const me = getMeta('me');
 export const movedToAccountId = getMeta('moved_to_account_id');
 export const owner = getMeta('owner');
-export const profile_directory = getMeta('profile_directory');
 export const reduceMotion = getMeta('reduce_motion');
 export const registrationsOpen = getMeta('registrations_open');
 export const repository = getMeta('repository');
diff --git a/app/models/form/admin_settings.rb b/app/models/form/admin_settings.rb
index 7be026d85f..15539a4cbc 100644
--- a/app/models/form/admin_settings.rb
+++ b/app/models/form/admin_settings.rb
@@ -21,7 +21,6 @@ class Form::AdminSettings
     peers_api_enabled
     preview_sensitive_media
     custom_css
-    profile_directory
     thumbnail
     mascot
     trends
@@ -50,7 +49,6 @@ class Form::AdminSettings
     activity_api_enabled
     peers_api_enabled
     preview_sensitive_media
-    profile_directory
     trends
     trends_as_landing_page
     trendable_by_default
diff --git a/app/serializers/initial_state_serializer.rb b/app/serializers/initial_state_serializer.rb
index 56d45c588e..1d60cf86d2 100644
--- a/app/serializers/initial_state_serializer.rb
+++ b/app/serializers/initial_state_serializer.rb
@@ -26,7 +26,6 @@ class InitialStateSerializer < ActiveModel::Serializer
       version: instance_presenter.version,
       limited_federation_mode: Rails.configuration.x.limited_federation_mode,
       mascot: instance_presenter.mascot&.file&.url,
-      profile_directory: Setting.profile_directory,
       trends_enabled: Setting.trends,
       registrations_open: Setting.registrations_mode != 'none' && !Rails.configuration.x.single_user_mode,
       timeline_preview: Setting.timeline_preview,
diff --git a/app/views/admin/settings/discovery/show.html.haml b/app/views/admin/settings/discovery/show.html.haml
index 62011d5c56..c8f4a8e878 100644
--- a/app/views/admin/settings/discovery/show.html.haml
+++ b/app/views/admin/settings/discovery/show.html.haml
@@ -49,10 +49,5 @@
   .fields-group
     = f.input :bootstrap_timeline_accounts, wrapper: :with_block_label
 
-  %h4= t('admin.settings.discovery.profile_directory')
-
-  .fields-group
-    = f.input :profile_directory, as: :boolean, wrapper: :with_label
-
   .actions
     = f.button :button, t('generic.save_changes'), type: :submit
diff --git a/config/routes.rb b/config/routes.rb
index 5de8562a8c..9a7377bdf3 100644
--- a/config/routes.rb
+++ b/config/routes.rb
@@ -20,7 +20,6 @@ Rails.application.routes.draw do
     /bookmarks
     /pinned
     /start
-    /directory
     /explore/(*any)
     /search
     /publish
diff --git a/config/routes/api.rb b/config/routes/api.rb
index 66eb82f59a..bb1fcaffc8 100644
--- a/config/routes/api.rb
+++ b/config/routes/api.rb
@@ -135,8 +135,6 @@ namespace :api, format: false do
 
     resource :domain_blocks, only: [:show, :create, :destroy]
 
-    resource :directory, only: [:show]
-
     resources :follow_requests, only: [:index] do
       member do
         post :authorize