Page Authority (PA) is a power meter for your web pages! Introduced by SEO giant Moz, this handy metric measures the strength and credibility of individual pages, predicting how likely they are to rank on search engine results pages (SERPs).
Curious about how it works? Understanding Page Authority is a must for anyone looking to boost their website’s performance and dominate the search rankings! Let’s break it down.
Defining Page Authority
At its core, page authority is a score that predicts the likelihood of a specific web page ranking high in SERPs. Ranging from 1 to 100, the score is calculated using a logarithmic scale, meaning it’s easier to improve a low score than a high one.
Page authority is calculated using a combination of factors, including the number and quality of inbound links, the relevance of the content, and the overall trustworthiness of the page.
Unlike domain authority, which evaluates the strength of an entire domain or subdomain, page authority focuses on individual pages.
How Page Authority Is Calculated
To fully understand what page authority is, it’s important to grasp how it’s calculated.
Moz’s proprietary algorithm considers a range of metrics when determining a page’s authority, including:
1. Link Profile
The quantity and quality of backlinks pointing to a page are significant determinants. High-quality, relevant links from authoritative sites carry more weight than a large number of low-quality links.
2. Content Relevance
Search engines value pages with content that aligns closely with user intent and includes targeted keywords. Content depth and relevance enhance the likelihood of earning higher authority scores.
3. User Engagement
Factors such as click-through rates (CTR), time spent on the page, and bounce rates influence page authority indirectly by signaling the page’s value to users.
4. Spam Score
Pages with a high spam score, as measured by Moz, are penalized in their authority score. Maintaining a clean and reputable link profile is essential to avoid this penalty.
The combination of these metrics creates a holistic view of a page’s SEO potential, offering a reliable predictor of its ability to compete in search rankings.
Page Authority vs. Domain Authority
To better understand what page authority is, it’s helpful to distinguish it from domain authority (DA).
While both metrics are developed by Moz, they serve different purposes:
- Page Authority
Measures the ranking potential of an individual page.
- Domain Authority
Evaluates the overall ranking strength of an entire website or domain.
For example, a website with high domain authority may have individual pages with varying levels of page authority. Optimizing both metrics is essential for maximizing SEO success.
Also Read: 8 Failproof Steps to Build SEO-Friendly URLs!
Factors Influencing Page Authority
Several factors influence what page authority is and how it’s scored:
- Backlink Quality
Links from reputable, high-authority sites significantly boost page authority. Avoiding spammy or irrelevant backlinks is equally critical.
- Content Quality
Well-researched, comprehensive, and engaging content not only attracts users but also earns valuable backlinks, enhancing page authority.
- Internal Linking
Strategic internal links help distribute link equity across a website, strengthening the authority of individual pages.
- On-Page SEO
Proper use of meta tags, headers, and keyword optimization contributes to a page’s relevance and authority.
By focusing on these factors, marketers can effectively improve their page authority scores.
Tools for Measuring Page Authority
Understanding what page authority is requires the ability to measure it effectively. Moz’s tools, such as Link Explorer and the MozBar browser extension, provide accurate PA scores for individual pages.
Additionally, SEO platforms like Ahrefs and SEMrush offer similar insights, allowing users to analyze their pages and compare them with competitors.
Page Authority in Action
To illustrate what page authority is, consider two pages targeting the same keyword:
- Page A has a strong backlink profile, high-quality content, and optimized on-page SEO.
- Page B has fewer backlinks, outdated content, and weak keyword optimization.
In this scenario, Page A is likely to have a higher authority score and rank better in search results. This demonstrates the importance of focusing on factors that influence page authority to achieve SEO success.
What Other SEO Metrics Should You Master for a Stronger Online Presence? Ask GetFound!
To wrap it up, page authority is your go-to metric for gauging how well a web page can climb the search engine ranks. Want to boost yours? Focus on amazing content, a solid backlink profile, and on-point on-page SEO. It’s all about building authority and locking in long-term success online!
Need extra help? The SEO pros at GetFound are ready to help you uncover and improve other crucial metrics to take your site to the next level!
