What is domain authority?

Domain Authority is one of the most widely used metrics in SEO for evaluating website strength. Created by Moz, DA provides a comparative score that helps predict a site's ranking ability relative to other websites.

It's important to understand that Domain Authority is not a Google metric—it's a third-party calculation designed to approximate how Google might view site authority. Google doesn't use DA in their algorithm, but DA correlates reasonably well with ranking performance because it measures similar signals (primarily backlinks).

DA is most useful for comparing websites against each other rather than as an absolute measure. A DA of 30 might be excellent in a niche industry but mediocre in a competitive market. Context matters when interpreting domain authority scores.

Understanding DA calculation helps you use it effectively:

Scoring System DA is scored on a logarithmic scale from 1 to 100. This means it's easier to grow from 20 to 30 than from 70 to 80.

Primary Factors - Linking root domains (number of unique sites linking to you) - Total number of backlinks - Quality of linking domains - Link equity passed through those links

Regular Updates Moz updates DA regularly, so scores can fluctuate even if your backlink profile hasn't changed dramatically.

Similar Metrics - Ahrefs Domain Rating (DR) - Semrush Authority Score - Majestic Trust Flow

Each tool has its own methodology, so scores differ between platforms. Stick to one tool for consistency.

Context is crucial when evaluating DA:

General Score Ranges - 1-20: New or very small sites - 21-40: Small to medium sites with some authority - 41-60: Established sites with moderate authority - 61-80: Well-established, authoritative sites - 81-100: Major brands and highly authoritative sites

Industry Context Compare your DA to competitors in your specific industry. A DA of 35 might be strong in local plumbing but weak in national e-commerce.

Competition Assessment When targeting keywords, compare your DA to sites currently ranking. If all top results have DA 60+ and you're at 25, that keyword may be too competitive initially.

Growth Expectations New sites typically start around DA 1-10 and can grow to 20-30 within the first year with consistent link building. Reaching 50+ takes years of sustained effort.

Building DA requires earning quality backlinks:

Create Link-Worthy Content Produce content that others want to reference—original research, comprehensive guides, tools, or unique perspectives.

Pursue Quality Over Quantity One link from a high-authority site beats dozens from low-quality directories.

Build Relationships Network with industry peers, journalists, and influencers who can link to your content.

Guest Posting Contribute valuable content to reputable publications in your industry.

Digital PR Get featured in news articles and publications through newsworthy stories.

Fix Technical Issues Ensure your site is crawlable and that existing link equity flows properly through your site.

Be Patient DA growth is gradual. Focus on consistent effort rather than quick fixes.

Keep these limitations in mind:

Not a Google Metric Google doesn't use DA. It's an approximation, not an actual ranking factor.

Can Be Manipulated Low-quality link schemes can temporarily inflate DA, which is why quality matters more than the number itself.

Doesn't Equal Rankings High DA doesn't guarantee rankings. Page-level factors, content quality, and relevance matter too.

Relative, Not Absolute DA is meaningful only in comparison. A score alone tells you little without context.

Ignores Many Factors Content quality, technical SEO, user experience, and relevance aren't reflected in DA.

Updates Cause Fluctuations Algorithm updates can change your score without any action on your part.

Use as One Data Point DA should be part of your analysis, not the only metric you consider.