In search engine optimization (SEO), Domain Authority (DA) plays a key role in determining how well a website can rank.
Developed by Moz, this metric evaluates a site’s backlink profile and predicts its potential performance in search results. Understanding what is domain authority in SEO helps website owners, marketers, and SEO professionals strengthen their rankings, credibility, and overall online presence.
Let’s immerse ourselves into what is domain authority in SEO in this GetFound’s article, so your businesses can improve their DA score for better search rankings.
What is Domain Authority in SEO?
First steps in knowing what is domain authority in SEO, we need to define Domain Authority (DA) and how it works.
Domain Authority (DA) is a score developed by Moz that predicts how likely a website is to rank in search results. This score ranges from 1 to 100, with higher scores indicating stronger ranking potential.
While Google does not use DA as an official ranking factor, the score is widely used in the SEO industry to evaluate a website’s authority and backlink strength.
A website with a higher DA score has a better chance of ranking for competitive keywords, while a low DA score may struggle to compete.
How Domain Authority is Different from Page Authority
- Domain Authority (DA) measures the overall authority of an entire domain.
- Page Authority (PA) measures the authority of a specific webpage within a domain.
For example:
- A news website with a DA of 80 is more likely to rank well overall.
- One specific article on that website may have a PA of 60, depending on its backlinks and content quality.
By understanding what is domain authority in SEO, businesses can focus on building high-quality backlinks and optimizing their site to improve their DA score.
How is Domain Authority Calculated?
Moz calculates Domain Authority using multiple factors, including:
1. Quality and Quantity of Backlinks
Websites with high-authority backlinks from reputable sites have higher DA scores. If a domain has spammy, low-quality links, its DA may suffer.
2. Root Domains Linking to the Website
A website with many unique referring domains (instead of multiple links from the same site) has a stronger DA score.
4. Link Profile Strength
The overall strength of incoming links, based on their DA, relevance, and trustworthiness, impacts DA.
5. Moz’s Machine Learning Algorithm
Of course, Moz constantly updates DA scores based on search trends, algorithm updates, and new ranking factors.
Since DA is measured on a logarithmic scale, increasing from 10 to 20 is easier than going from 70 to 80. This means higher DA websites require significantly more high-quality backlinks to continue improving.
Understanding how DA is calculated is crucial when analyzing what is domain authority in SEO and how to improve it.
Also Read: Sadly Overlooked, Why Site Speed is Really Important for Your SEO Strategy
Why is Domain Authority a Hot Topic in SEO?
One of the most crucial aspects of what is domain authority in SEO is its impact on search visibility and ranking potential.
1. Higher DA Increases Ranking Potential
- Websites with a higher DA score are more likely to rank for competitive keywords.
- A DA 80 website can outrank a DA 30 website, even if their content quality is similar.
2. Strong DA Builds Website Trust and Credibility
- Google and users trust websites with high DA scores because they indicate authority and reliability.
- A high DA score can improve click-through rates (CTR) and user engagement.
3. Helps with Link-Building and Partnerships
- Websites with a high DA attract better backlink opportunities and guest posting requests.
- Partnering with high-DA websites helps improve SEO visibility and referral traffic.
By focusing on increasing Domain Authority, websites can enhance their SEO strength, improve rankings, and gain more organic traffic.
Boost Your Website’s Authority with GetFound!
So, what is domain authority in SEO? While DA isn’t a direct Google ranking factor, it serves as a valuable indicator of a website’s ability to compete in search results. A higher DA score reflects strong backlink quality, a solid link profile, and greater credibility—all essential for SEO success.
Want to refine your SEO game even further? GetFound’s experts are here to help with all the insights you need!
