What Is Domain Authority? Definition & Guide

Domain authority (DA) is a score -- originally developed by Moz -- that predicts how likely a website is to rank in search engine results pages. Scored on a scale from 1 to 100, it is calculated based primarily on the quantity and quality of inbound backlinks pointing to the domain. Higher scores indicate stronger authority and generally correlate with better rankings. Similar metrics exist across other SEO tools, including Ahrefs' Domain Rating (DR) and Semrush's Authority Score.

Why Domain Authority Matters

Domain authority is a proxy metric for site credibility in the eyes of search engines. While Google does not use DA as a direct ranking factor -- it is a third-party metric, not an official signal -- it is a useful indicator of how competitive a site is and how likely its pages are to rank for contested keywords.

For competitive analysis, DA is indispensable. Before targeting a keyword, checking the DA of the sites currently ranking tells you how much authority you need to break into the results. A site with a DA of 25 trying to rank against sites with DA 75+ will struggle, no matter how good the content is. Knowing this helps you prioritize realistic opportunities.

Link building strategies also rely on DA as a quality filter. Earning backlinks from high-DA sites passes more authority than links from low-DA sites. When evaluating link-building targets, DA (or DR) is one of the first filters to apply.

How It Works

Domain authority is calculated primarily from the link graph -- the network of sites linking to your domain and the sites linking to those linking sites. A domain with many backlinks from high-authority, relevant sites will have a higher DA than a domain with few or low-quality links. New domains typically start at a DA of 1 and build over time as they earn links.

DA is a relative metric, so a "good" score depends on your competitive landscape. For niche topics with low-DA competition, a score of 30 might be plenty. For competitive industries like finance or health, even a DA of 50 might not be enough to rank on page one.

Improving DA is essentially synonymous with effective link building. Creating high-value content that earns citations, running digital PR campaigns, and pursuing strategic outreach all contribute to building the backlink profile that raises DA over time. Averi helps content teams create the types of authoritative, linkable content that naturally attracts links from reputable sources.

Domain Authority Best Practices

• Use DA to quickly assess keyword competitiveness before investing in new content
• Set realistic DA benchmarks for link-building targets -- prioritize sites with DA higher than yours
• Do not chase DA for its own sake -- focus on earning links from topically relevant, high-quality sites
• Avoid tactics that inflate DA artificially, like purchased links or link farms
• Track your domain's DA trend over time as a measure of link-building progress
• Compare your DA to direct competitors -- relative authority matters more than absolute score

Related Resources

• Link Building Guide
• Keyword Research Guide
• SEO Content Guide