What is Domain Authority (DA)?
Domain Authority (DA) is a ranking score developed by Moz that predicts how well a website will rank in search engine results. DA scores range from 1 to 100, with higher scores indicating a greater ability to rank.
While Google does not use DA as a ranking factor, it is a useful metric for evaluating the authority and credibility of a website.
How is Domain Authority Calculated?
Moz calculates DA based on factors such as:
Backlink Profile – The number and quality of websites linking to your site.
Linking Root Domains – The number of unique domains linking to your website.
Website Age & History – Older, well-established domains tend to have higher DA.
Spam Score – High spammy links can negatively impact DA.
Content Quality – High-value content attracts natural backlinks.
User Engagement – Metrics like bounce rate and time on site indirectly influence DA.
(Related: How to Build Quality Backlinks)
Why is Domain Authority Important?
Although DA is not a direct Google ranking factor, it helps businesses:
Measure SEO Performance – Higher DA often correlates with stronger rankings.
Assess Competitor Authority – Comparing DA helps identify strong competitors.
Improve Backlink Strategy – Higher DA sites attract quality links.
For example, websites with DA 50+ typically have strong backlink profiles, making it harder for lower DA websites to outrank them.
(Related: SEO and Content Marketing)
How to Check Your Website’s Domain Authority?
You can check your DA score using tools like:
These tools also provide insights into backlink profiles and referring domains.
(Related: Best SEO Tools for 2025)
How to Improve Your Domain Authority?
1. Build High-Quality Backlinks
Backlinks from authoritative sites significantly boost DA.
Guest posting on reputable industry blogs.
Securing editorial mentions and press coverage.
Creating valuable, link-worthy content (infographics, reports, case studies).
(Related: How to Build Quality Backlinks)
2. Remove Toxic Backlinks
Toxic links from spammy, low-quality sites can harm your DA.
Use Google’s Disavow Tool to remove harmful backlinks.
Regularly audit your backlink profile using Ahrefs or Moz.
3. Improve On-Page SEO
Optimized content improves search visibility, leading to better DA.
Optimize title tags & meta descriptions.
Use internal linking to pass link equity.
Improve Core Web Vitals for better user experience.
(Related: Technical SEO Checklist)
4. Publish High-Quality Content
Content that earns backlinks naturally helps improve DA.
Create in-depth, research-backed articles.
Answer popular industry questions.
Optimize content for featured snippets.
(Related: How to Write SEO-Friendly Content)
5. Strengthen Internal Linking
A well-structured internal linking strategy:
Passes link equity between pages.
Helps search engines understand site hierarchy.
Keeps users engaged, reducing bounce rates.
(Related: SEO-Friendly Website Architecture)
6. Improve Website Speed & UX
A slow website increases bounce rates, impacting DA.
Use a lightweight theme and optimize images.
Enable caching and a Content Delivery Network (CDN).
Ensure a mobile-friendly design.
(Related: How a Fast-Loading Website Impacts SEO)
FAQs
How long does it take to improve Domain Authority?
It typically takes 3-6 months to see improvements, depending on backlink acquisition and content quality.
What is a good DA score?
1-20: New or low-authority sites.
20-40: Growing websites with a moderate backlink profile.
40-60: Established websites with a strong backlink profile.
60+: Highly authoritative industry leaders.
Does DA affect Google rankings?
No, Google does not use DA as a ranking factor. However, a strong backlink profile (which DA measures) does impact SEO rankings.
Is DA the same as Ahrefs’ DR or SEMrush Authority Score?
No, each tool uses different calculations. However, they all assess website authority based on backlinks.
Final Thoughts: Improve Your DA for Better SEO
While Domain Authority is not a direct Google ranking factor, improving DA through high-quality backlinks, technical SEO, and content marketing will help boost overall search rankings.
Want to improve your website’s SEO and DA? Get a Free Website Audit from CG Marketing today!