What is Domain Authority?
Domain Authority (DA) is a search engine ranking score developed by Moz that predicts how likely a website is to rank in search engine results pages (SERPs). The score ranges from 1 to 100, with higher scores indicating a greater likelihood of ranking. It is calculated based on multiple factors, including the number and quality of backlinks, linking root domains, and overall link profile strength.
DA is not a metric used by Google but is widely referenced in the SEO industry as a comparative measure of domain strength.
Why Domain Authority Matters
While DA is not a direct ranking factor in Google’s algorithm, it offers a useful benchmark for evaluating the relative SEO power of a domain. It can help marketers:
- Compare their site’s strength against competitors
- Assess the quality of potential backlink sources
- Identify link-building opportunities
- Set realistic SEO goals based on current domain standing
DA can fluctuate over time based on link activity across the web, algorithm updates from Moz, or changes to your own site’s link profile.
Example in Use
If your website has a DA of 40, and your main competitor’s site has a DA of 60, the competitor is generally more likely to rank higher for competitive keywords. Building high-quality backlinks and improving content can help increase your DA over time.
DA is often used alongside other metrics such as Page Authority (PA), Trust Flow, or Domain Rating (DR) for a more complete SEO evaluation.
Related Terms
- Page Authority (PA)
- Backlink
- Link Building
- Moz
- Trust Flow