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Domain Authority
SEO
Backlinks
Website Ranking
Authority Building
Domain Authority
SEO
Backlinks
Website Ranking
Authority Building
ARTICLE #129
Domain authority: What it is and how to increase it
Domain Authority
SEO
Backlinks
Website Ranking
Authority Building
Domain Authority
SEO
Backlinks
Website Ranking
Website Ranking
Authority Building
Written by:
5 min read
Updated on: October 28, 2024
Toni Hukkanen
Head of Design
Creative Direction, Brand Direction
Toni Hukkanen
Head of Design
Creative Direction, Brand Direction
You might be wondering why one site hogs Google’s limelight while another, perhaps equally brilliant, ends up buried on page two. That’s where Domain Authority (DA) steps in. Created by Moz, DA rates your site on a 1-to-100 scale, and yes—higher numbers typically mean higher ranking potential. It’s primarily influenced by the strength and volume of inbound links (plus the credibility of the sites linking to you). So, if loads of reputable domains consider your content valuable, search engines start to agree.
But why does DA deserve your attention? In simple terms, a site with a solid DA often sees better visibility in search results and more organic traffic rolling in. That’s gold for anyone aiming to outshine the online competition. You can take it as a quick pulse-check on your website’s SEO footing—one that can help you prioritise where to invest your energy and resources for long-term traction.
You might be wondering why one site hogs Google’s limelight while another, perhaps equally brilliant, ends up buried on page two. That’s where Domain Authority (DA) steps in. Created by Moz, DA rates your site on a 1-to-100 scale, and yes—higher numbers typically mean higher ranking potential. It’s primarily influenced by the strength and volume of inbound links (plus the credibility of the sites linking to you). So, if loads of reputable domains consider your content valuable, search engines start to agree.
But why does DA deserve your attention? In simple terms, a site with a solid DA often sees better visibility in search results and more organic traffic rolling in. That’s gold for anyone aiming to outshine the online competition. You can take it as a quick pulse-check on your website’s SEO footing—one that can help you prioritise where to invest your energy and resources for long-term traction.
How is domain authority calculated?
How is domain authority calculated?
Consider Domain Authority as a broad estimate of your website’s ranking strength. It’s not an official Google metric (so there's no need to blame them for a low score), but it does reflect your site’s overall backlink profile and influence. In short, DA can point out your chances of showing up when people type related keywords into a search engine. Moz crunches a blend of data—like the number and quality of links—using a machine-learning model to generate your DA score. Sites with fewer inbound links or spammy links often end up on the lower end of the scale, while well-established sites with credible backlinks typically push the upper ranges.
How is DA calculated?
It’s no secret—links matter. However, it’s not just how many links you have; it’s who’s linking to you. When big-name, trustworthy sites connect to your content, search engines tend to see you as dependable and relevant. Here’s a quick breakdown:
Root Domains: The number of unique websites linking to your domain. Loads of links from the same site can help, but having lots of different authoritative sites linking to you is even better.
Total Links: The overall sum of backlinks you’ve earned. Yes, quantity still counts, but it’s much stronger when combined with quality.
Link Quality: A single link from a well-regarded news site or popular industry blog can outweigh 50 links from obscure corners of the internet.
Combine these details, feed them into a complex model, and Moz spits out your DA score. A higher DA can indicate a stronger chance of ranking for your target keywords—though it’s no guarantee. It’s more like a helpful forecast than an absolute promise.
Consider Domain Authority as a broad estimate of your website’s ranking strength. It’s not an official Google metric (so there's no need to blame them for a low score), but it does reflect your site’s overall backlink profile and influence. In short, DA can point out your chances of showing up when people type related keywords into a search engine. Moz crunches a blend of data—like the number and quality of links—using a machine-learning model to generate your DA score. Sites with fewer inbound links or spammy links often end up on the lower end of the scale, while well-established sites with credible backlinks typically push the upper ranges.
How is DA calculated?
It’s no secret—links matter. However, it’s not just how many links you have; it’s who’s linking to you. When big-name, trustworthy sites connect to your content, search engines tend to see you as dependable and relevant. Here’s a quick breakdown:
Root Domains: The number of unique websites linking to your domain. Loads of links from the same site can help, but having lots of different authoritative sites linking to you is even better.
Total Links: The overall sum of backlinks you’ve earned. Yes, quantity still counts, but it’s much stronger when combined with quality.
Link Quality: A single link from a well-regarded news site or popular industry blog can outweigh 50 links from obscure corners of the internet.
Combine these details, feed them into a complex model, and Moz spits out your DA score. A higher DA can indicate a stronger chance of ranking for your target keywords—though it’s no guarantee. It’s more like a helpful forecast than an absolute promise.
Comparing DA to other metrics
While DA remains a widely recognised measure, other tools offer similar snapshots:
Ahrefs’ Domain Rating (DR): Another 0-to-100 scale focusing heavily on your backlink strength.
SEMrush’s Authority Score: Considers organic traffic, inbound link quality, and more, giving you a weighted score.
Remember, each tool relies on unique data and algorithms, so your scores might vary. Rather than getting fixated on one number, think of these metrics as multiple camera angles on your site’s authority. Sometimes, you see something new from a different perspective.
The Logarithmic Scale of DA
One quirk about DA is its logarithmic nature—meaning going from DA 20 to 30 is less strenuous than jumping from 70 to 80. This setup reflects the reality that once you’re well-established, climbing even higher gets tough. It’s like trying to add 10 more floors to an already tall skyscraper. Early gains come quickly, but every additional “floor” at the top requires more investment and effort.
While DA remains a widely recognised measure, other tools offer similar snapshots:
Ahrefs’ Domain Rating (DR): Another 0-to-100 scale focusing heavily on your backlink strength.
SEMrush’s Authority Score: Considers organic traffic, inbound link quality, and more, giving you a weighted score.
Remember, each tool relies on unique data and algorithms, so your scores might vary. Rather than getting fixated on one number, think of these metrics as multiple camera angles on your site’s authority. Sometimes, you see something new from a different perspective.
The Logarithmic Scale of DA
One quirk about DA is its logarithmic nature—meaning going from DA 20 to 30 is less strenuous than jumping from 70 to 80. This setup reflects the reality that once you’re well-established, climbing even higher gets tough. It’s like trying to add 10 more floors to an already tall skyscraper. Early gains come quickly, but every additional “floor” at the top requires more investment and effort.
Why does domain authority matter?
Consider Domain Authority as your website’s “street cred” in the eyes of search engines. It’s not an official Google ranking factor, but it’s still a practical way to gauge how likely your site is to show up in those coveted first-page results. DA is scored on a 1–100 scale, with higher meaning “hey, I’m a big deal.” So, if you are aiming for visibility—and let’s face it, who isn’t?—paying attention to DA can help steer your SEO efforts in a smarter direction.
1. Strong correlation with SEO and rankings
Moz introduced DA to mimic how search engines might measure a site’s trustworthiness. Although Google doesn’t directly look at DA, it does consider many of the same signals: backlinks, link diversity, and overall site authority. These factors often dictate whose content deserves the spotlight. Notice your DA inching up? It’s a big hint that your optimization tactics are on the right track. Maybe your backlink outreach is finally paying off, or your site’s technical health just got a tune-up. Either way, rising DA often pairs with better positions in search results—which can lead to more clicks, more eyes on your content, and more potential customers.
2. Gauging competition and tracking progress
Ever wondered how your site stacks up against that competitor who always seems to outrank you? DA is one handy measuring stick. Suppose your rival’s DA scores a whopping 75 while yours sits at 65. That 10-point difference signals you’ve got some catching up to do. And even if you are neck-and-neck in DA, it never hurts to see who’s got the momentum. Tracking DA over time also gives you a clear sense of what’s working (or flopping) in your SEO strategy. If your DA has been slowly climbing, there’s a good chance your site’s reputation is on the upswing—and that visitors, plus search engines, are starting to give you a nod of approval.
Consider Domain Authority as your website’s “street cred” in the eyes of search engines. It’s not an official Google ranking factor, but it’s still a practical way to gauge how likely your site is to show up in those coveted first-page results. DA is scored on a 1–100 scale, with higher meaning “hey, I’m a big deal.” So, if you are aiming for visibility—and let’s face it, who isn’t?—paying attention to DA can help steer your SEO efforts in a smarter direction.
1. Strong correlation with SEO and rankings
Moz introduced DA to mimic how search engines might measure a site’s trustworthiness. Although Google doesn’t directly look at DA, it does consider many of the same signals: backlinks, link diversity, and overall site authority. These factors often dictate whose content deserves the spotlight. Notice your DA inching up? It’s a big hint that your optimization tactics are on the right track. Maybe your backlink outreach is finally paying off, or your site’s technical health just got a tune-up. Either way, rising DA often pairs with better positions in search results—which can lead to more clicks, more eyes on your content, and more potential customers.
2. Gauging competition and tracking progress
Ever wondered how your site stacks up against that competitor who always seems to outrank you? DA is one handy measuring stick. Suppose your rival’s DA scores a whopping 75 while yours sits at 65. That 10-point difference signals you’ve got some catching up to do. And even if you are neck-and-neck in DA, it never hurts to see who’s got the momentum. Tracking DA over time also gives you a clear sense of what’s working (or flopping) in your SEO strategy. If your DA has been slowly climbing, there’s a good chance your site’s reputation is on the upswing—and that visitors, plus search engines, are starting to give you a nod of approval.
Checking your domain authority
Have you ever questioned whether your website really resonates with search engines? Domain Authority might hold the key. By reviewing your DA, you can find out how your pages could rank across platforms like Google and Bing. If you have never taken a look at this metric, you may be overlooking important insights that can inform and strengthen your SEO approach.
Tools and methods
A few free and paid solutions are out there if you’re curious about your DA:
Moz Link Explorer: Paste in your URL to get details on linking domains, total links, and your site’s DA score.
MozBar: A free browser extension that displays DA for any page you visit, handy for quick checks.
Moz alternatives
Ahrefs Website Authority Checker: Offers an overview of your backlinks and an overall authority rating.
SEMrush Authority Score: Ties together traffic data and link quality to judge your domain’s influence.
Majestic: Looks at “Trust Flow” and “Citation Flow,” useful for another angle on your site’s credibility.
No single metric is the gospel truth. Each platform has its own way of measuring authority, so checking more than one helps build a well-rounded picture of your website’s performance. For instance, maybe your DA is modest but your Trust Flow is off the charts—this might mean you have high-quality backlinks, but not enough of them to boost your DA. Or perhaps SEMrush shows impressive traffic data that indicates you are doing well in other areas.
Have you ever questioned whether your website really resonates with search engines? Domain Authority might hold the key. By reviewing your DA, you can find out how your pages could rank across platforms like Google and Bing. If you have never taken a look at this metric, you may be overlooking important insights that can inform and strengthen your SEO approach.
Tools and methods
A few free and paid solutions are out there if you’re curious about your DA:
Moz Link Explorer: Paste in your URL to get details on linking domains, total links, and your site’s DA score.
MozBar: A free browser extension that displays DA for any page you visit, handy for quick checks.
Moz alternatives
Ahrefs Website Authority Checker: Offers an overview of your backlinks and an overall authority rating.
SEMrush Authority Score: Ties together traffic data and link quality to judge your domain’s influence.
Majestic: Looks at “Trust Flow” and “Citation Flow,” useful for another angle on your site’s credibility.
No single metric is the gospel truth. Each platform has its own way of measuring authority, so checking more than one helps build a well-rounded picture of your website’s performance. For instance, maybe your DA is modest but your Trust Flow is off the charts—this might mean you have high-quality backlinks, but not enough of them to boost your DA. Or perhaps SEMrush shows impressive traffic data that indicates you are doing well in other areas.
How to improve your domain authority
Eyeing that 0-to-100 scale and wondering how to climb higher? Domain Authority is all about trust and credibility in the eyes of search engines. Here’s what can nudge your score upward, one thoughtful step at a time.
Build high-quality backlinks
A robust link profile can be a real game-changer. Yes, both quantity and quality matter, but quality often has the bigger impact. Search engines, and people, take notice when your website is linked by credible sources.
Guest posting: Offer up a compelling article to a reputable publication, and include a link that points back to your own site. It’s a quick way to tap into someone else’s audience.
Broken link replacement: Hunt down broken links on popular sites and propose your content as a suitable replacement. It’s a win-win: they fix a dead link, and you gain a new referral.
Linkable assets: Invest time in creating content worth linking to. Original research, insightful case studies, or interactive quizzes all encourage other creators to reference your work.
2. Create valuable content
Attracting an audience starts with offering something they can’t easily get elsewhere. Think of your content as a magnet—when it’s genuinely helpful or entertaining, it draws in readers and encourages them to stick around.
Thorough guides: Nothing beats a well-organized resource that anticipates common questions and tackles them head-on.
Unique angles: If everyone else is writing about Topic X, present a fresh viewpoint or approach. People like to discover perspectives they haven’t seen a thousand times before.
Engaging stories: Anecdotes, real-life examples, or a dash of humor can make your writing more shareable. If your piece is memorable, links often follow.
3. Optimise on-page SEO
You can’t talk about DA without touching on the fundamentals of on-page SEO. Search engines need clear, descriptive indicators of what your pages contain.
Keyword placement: Sprinkling relevant terms in your headings, meta titles, and text can help search engines identify the main topic. Just don’t go overboard—no one likes keyword stuffing.
Internal linking: Point readers from one related article or product page to another. It offers visitors more value and helps search engines crawl your site more effectively.
Attractive meta descriptions: A catchy summary can pull in more clicks from search results. Think of it as a brief sales pitch for your page’s content.
4. Improve technical SEO
Improving technical SEO is crucial, even if your content is top-notch, because slow loading speeds and the absence of mobile-friendly design can turn visitors away before they ever engage with your site. Speed matters: images should be compressed, caching features enabled, and hosting plans potentially upgraded if your pages take too long to load. Since many users browse on phones or tablets, a responsive setup is equally important, and securing your domain with HTTPS can boost user trust and potentially lift search rankings. Tools like Google PageSpeed Insights are handy for spotting underlying problems, and often even small adjustments can produce noticeable gains.
5. Engage in social media and PR
Beyond technical factors, social media and PR play a significant role in increasing domain authority by drawing more eyeballs to your content. Sharing fresh articles, company milestones, or new product releases can generate buzz and attract backlinks; collaborations with influencers or industry experts can drive traffic and credibility; and pitching press-worthy topics to journalists can open doors to high-authority sites linking back to you. A distinctive social presence, backed by memorable or user-generated posts, can spark even more mentions and opportunities for valuable backlinks.
Eyeing that 0-to-100 scale and wondering how to climb higher? Domain Authority is all about trust and credibility in the eyes of search engines. Here’s what can nudge your score upward, one thoughtful step at a time.
Build high-quality backlinks
A robust link profile can be a real game-changer. Yes, both quantity and quality matter, but quality often has the bigger impact. Search engines, and people, take notice when your website is linked by credible sources.
Guest posting: Offer up a compelling article to a reputable publication, and include a link that points back to your own site. It’s a quick way to tap into someone else’s audience.
Broken link replacement: Hunt down broken links on popular sites and propose your content as a suitable replacement. It’s a win-win: they fix a dead link, and you gain a new referral.
Linkable assets: Invest time in creating content worth linking to. Original research, insightful case studies, or interactive quizzes all encourage other creators to reference your work.
2. Create valuable content
Attracting an audience starts with offering something they can’t easily get elsewhere. Think of your content as a magnet—when it’s genuinely helpful or entertaining, it draws in readers and encourages them to stick around.
Thorough guides: Nothing beats a well-organized resource that anticipates common questions and tackles them head-on.
Unique angles: If everyone else is writing about Topic X, present a fresh viewpoint or approach. People like to discover perspectives they haven’t seen a thousand times before.
Engaging stories: Anecdotes, real-life examples, or a dash of humor can make your writing more shareable. If your piece is memorable, links often follow.
3. Optimise on-page SEO
You can’t talk about DA without touching on the fundamentals of on-page SEO. Search engines need clear, descriptive indicators of what your pages contain.
Keyword placement: Sprinkling relevant terms in your headings, meta titles, and text can help search engines identify the main topic. Just don’t go overboard—no one likes keyword stuffing.
Internal linking: Point readers from one related article or product page to another. It offers visitors more value and helps search engines crawl your site more effectively.
Attractive meta descriptions: A catchy summary can pull in more clicks from search results. Think of it as a brief sales pitch for your page’s content.
4. Improve technical SEO
Improving technical SEO is crucial, even if your content is top-notch, because slow loading speeds and the absence of mobile-friendly design can turn visitors away before they ever engage with your site. Speed matters: images should be compressed, caching features enabled, and hosting plans potentially upgraded if your pages take too long to load. Since many users browse on phones or tablets, a responsive setup is equally important, and securing your domain with HTTPS can boost user trust and potentially lift search rankings. Tools like Google PageSpeed Insights are handy for spotting underlying problems, and often even small adjustments can produce noticeable gains.
5. Engage in social media and PR
Beyond technical factors, social media and PR play a significant role in increasing domain authority by drawing more eyeballs to your content. Sharing fresh articles, company milestones, or new product releases can generate buzz and attract backlinks; collaborations with influencers or industry experts can drive traffic and credibility; and pitching press-worthy topics to journalists can open doors to high-authority sites linking back to you. A distinctive social presence, backed by memorable or user-generated posts, can spark even more mentions and opportunities for valuable backlinks.
Common misconceptions about DA
Plenty of folks see a high DA and assume they’ve secured a golden ticket straight to Google’s top spot. While a solid DA often goes hand-in-hand with good SEO practices, it isn’t some secret code that Google directly plugs into its ranking algorithm. Instead, consider it more like your website’s reputation score—it reflects characteristics (like backlink quality or overall site health) that can help boost rankings, but it isn’t a guaranteed VIP pass. If anything, a sudden leap in DA without strong, relevant content is like showing up to a potluck with fancy packaging but no real dish inside.
Another common mistake is to view DA as the ultimate measure of a site’s worth. A DA of 40 can be brilliant in a niche where most competitors hover around 20, whereas a DA of 60 might be merely average in a highly aggressive market. Context is everything. If everyone else in your industry has a lower DA, you’re already leading the pack; if they’re way ahead, focus on steady, meaningful growth rather than obsessing over hitting a specific number. Ultimately, DA is just one of many indicators—so use it as a guide, not a finish line, and keep creating genuine value for your audience.
Plenty of folks see a high DA and assume they’ve secured a golden ticket straight to Google’s top spot. While a solid DA often goes hand-in-hand with good SEO practices, it isn’t some secret code that Google directly plugs into its ranking algorithm. Instead, consider it more like your website’s reputation score—it reflects characteristics (like backlink quality or overall site health) that can help boost rankings, but it isn’t a guaranteed VIP pass. If anything, a sudden leap in DA without strong, relevant content is like showing up to a potluck with fancy packaging but no real dish inside.
Another common mistake is to view DA as the ultimate measure of a site’s worth. A DA of 40 can be brilliant in a niche where most competitors hover around 20, whereas a DA of 60 might be merely average in a highly aggressive market. Context is everything. If everyone else in your industry has a lower DA, you’re already leading the pack; if they’re way ahead, focus on steady, meaningful growth rather than obsessing over hitting a specific number. Ultimately, DA is just one of many indicators—so use it as a guide, not a finish line, and keep creating genuine value for your audience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does domain authority affect SEO?
Not directly. Google doesn’t use DA for rankings. Still, a high DA often goes hand-in-hand with strong backlink profiles and valuable content, which does help you rank higher.
What factors affect domain authority?
Key elements include backlink quantity and quality, plus referring domains. Good site usability—like fast speeds and logical structure—helps too.
Is 20 domain authority good?
It depends on your industry. If you are in a niche where rivals have DA 10–15, you’re doing well. If they’re at 40–50, there’s room to climb.
Conclusion
Your domain authority offers a snapshot of your site’s ranking potential—covering everything from how many unique domains link to you to the total backlink count you’ve built. Focus on bringing in quality links, creating content that’s genuinely useful, and polishing both on-page and technical SEO. Sure, it takes persistence to see results, but the reward is a greater online presence and authority that resonates with both search engines and real readers. Consider it as an upgrade from a cameo role to a starring feature in the search results—because when you invest in a solid DA, you set the stage for better rankings and more eyes on your content.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does domain authority affect SEO?
Not directly. Google doesn’t use DA for rankings. Still, a high DA often goes hand-in-hand with strong backlink profiles and valuable content, which does help you rank higher.
What factors affect domain authority?
Key elements include backlink quantity and quality, plus referring domains. Good site usability—like fast speeds and logical structure—helps too.
Is 20 domain authority good?
It depends on your industry. If you are in a niche where rivals have DA 10–15, you’re doing well. If they’re at 40–50, there’s room to climb.
Conclusion
Your domain authority offers a snapshot of your site’s ranking potential—covering everything from how many unique domains link to you to the total backlink count you’ve built. Focus on bringing in quality links, creating content that’s genuinely useful, and polishing both on-page and technical SEO. Sure, it takes persistence to see results, but the reward is a greater online presence and authority that resonates with both search engines and real readers. Consider it as an upgrade from a cameo role to a starring feature in the search results—because when you invest in a solid DA, you set the stage for better rankings and more eyes on your content.
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Work with us
Click to copy
work@for.co
- FOR® Brand. FOR® Future.
We’re remote-first — with strategic global hubs
Click to copy
Helsinki, FIN
info@for.fi
Click to copy
New York, NY
ny@for.co
Click to copy
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mia@for.co
Click to copy
Dubai, UAE
uae@for.co
Click to copy
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Click to copy
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Copyright © 2024 FOR®
Work with us
Click to copy
work@for.co
We’re remote-first — with strategic global hubs
Click to copy
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Click to copy
New York, NY
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Click to copy
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mia@for.co
Click to copy
Dubai, UAE
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Click to copy
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Click to copy
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Copyright © 2024 FOR®