Abstract: Ferritic stainless steels (FSSs) are widely used as solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) interconnects because of their high-temperature corrosion resistance, easy machining and forming, low cost and coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) matching with battery materials, etc. However, there are some problems such as “cathode Cr poisoning” and weak oxidation resistance for FSSs during long-term operation, which seriously limit their wide application and long-term development. This paper introduced the practical application difficulties of FSS interconnects and summarized two optimization strategies to solve these problems. Research of protective coatings for interconnectors focused on the application of spinel coatings, especially Mn-Cu spinel, Mn-Co spinel and Cu-Fe spinel. Finally, the existing defects and the future development trend of the protective spinel coatings of FSSs interconnects were proposed, which would deepen the understanding of the application of spinel coating materials in SOFC interconnects, and would provide some enlightenment for improving the comprehensive performance of SOFC and promoting their commercialization.