Definition
Domain Authority (DA) is a predictive SEO metric developed by Moz that estimates how likely a domain is to rank in organic search. The score ranges from 1–100 and reflects the comparative strength of a site’s backlink profile.
Simple Explanation
Think of Domain Authority as a competitiveness score for websites. A domain with strong links from trusted sites typically earns a higher DA, making it more likely to outrank weaker competitors not because Google uses DA, but because a strong link profile generally aligns with better rankings.
Practical Example
If two sites publish content targeting the same keyword and both pages are optimized similarly, the site with the higher DA (e.g., DA 65 vs. DA 30) usually has a better chance of ranking because its backlink profile signals stronger authority.
Key Features / Components
Moz calculates DA using multiple signals, including:
- Linking root domains (quantity + quality)
- Overall backlink authority
- Spam Score indicators
- MozRank & MozTrust
- Machine-learning models that compare link profiles at scale
- Relative scoring system DA is meaningful only in comparison to competitors
When to Use Domain Authority
Use DA as a helpful directional metric when:
- Evaluating link-building prospects
- Benchmarking your domain against competitors
- Assessing whether your authority is improving over time
- Prioritizing outreach targets during campaigns
- Auditing content performance potential
When Not to Use Domain Authority
Avoid using DA as:
- A proxy for Google ranking factors Google does not use DA
- A KPI for technical SEO improvements
- A standalone measure of site quality
- A guarantee of ranking performance
DA should complement SEO analysis, not replace it.
Common Mistakes
- Treating DA as a Google metric it is proprietary to Moz
- Comparing unrelated industries where link profiles vary drastically
- Chasing high DA links only, ignoring relevance and context
- Expecting fast DA increases growth slows as scores get higher
- Ignoring page-level metrics like Page Authority or URL Rating from other tools
How to Improve Domain Authority
Improving DA requires strengthening your backlink profile:
- Earn high-quality, contextual backlinks
- Remove or disavow toxic or spammy links
- Produce linkable content assets (data studies, tools, guides)
- Improve internal linking and topical structure
- Maintain strong technical SEO foundations
DA increases as your domain earns trusted, relevant links not through direct manipulation.
Domain Authority FAQs
Is Domain Authority a Google ranking factor?
No. DA is created by Moz and is not part of Google’s algorithm.
What is a “good” DA score?
It depends on your niche. Compare against direct competitors, not the internet as a whole.
How often does Moz update DA?
Moz updates DA as they refresh their link index. Scores can fluctuate naturally.
Can DA drop even if my SEO didn’t change?
Yes, DA is relative. Competitor improvements or index updates can shift your score.
Does a higher DA guarantee higher rankings?
No. DA predicts potential performance but doesn’t replace content quality, relevance, or search intent.
Do nofollow links affect DA?
Generally no, but they may indirectly support link acquisition and brand visibility.
Is DA the same as Page Authority?
No. Page Authority evaluates a single URL; DA evaluates an entire domain.