Domain Authority
A score predicting how well a domain will rank in search engines, based on link profile.
Domain Authority (DA) is a metric developed by Moz that predicts on a scale of 1 to 100 how likely a website is to rank well in search results. The score is based on factors such as the number and quality of backlinks to the domain.
DA is not a Google metric
Domain Authority is not an official Google factor. It's a third-party metric that serves as a comparative measure. Similar metrics include Domain Rating (Ahrefs) and Authority Score (Semrush). Use them as relative indicators, not absolute targets.
Authority and AI visibility
AI models train on content from across the web and learn which sources are trustworthy. Domains with high authority, strong link profiles, and consistent expertise are selected more often as sources in AI-generated answers.
Comparison: DA vs. DR vs. AS
The three major SEO — bibliotheekterm tool providers each have their own authority metric. Here is a comparison:
| Aspect | Domain Authority (Moz) | Domain Rating (Ahrefs) | Authority Score (Semrush) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scale | 1-100 (logarithmic) | 0-100 (logarithmic) | 0-100 |
| Primary factor | Quantity and quality of linking root domains | Strength of the backlink — bibliotheekterm profile at domain level | Combination of traffic, backlinks, and content quality |
| Data source | Moz Link Explorer (own crawler) | Ahrefs crawler (one of the most active web crawlers) | Semrush crawler and traffic estimates |
| Update frequency | Monthly | Continuous (real-time updates) | Monthly |
| Machine learning | Yes, DA 2.0 uses ML to maximize correlation with rankings | No, purely based on link data | Yes, combines multiple data signals |
| Reliability | Good for relative comparison, less suitable for absolute statements | Strong for link analysis, but ignores other factors | Broadest set of signals, but less transparent in calculation |
Benchmark: typical scores by website type
| Website type | DA range (Moz) | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| New domain / starter blog | 1-15 | Freshly registered, little content, barely any backlinks. Every new domain starts at 1. |
| Small SMB | 15-30 | Active website with basic content, some listings in local directories and industry platforms. |
| Established SMB | 30-50 | Regular content, active link building, mentions in trade media. Well-visible in its niche. |
| Large company / enterprise | 50-70 | Broad content offering, strong PR, links from authoritative media and universities. |
| National news outlet | 70-85 | Daily fresh content, thousands of referring domains, high brand awareness. |
| Government / .gov / top institution | 85-100 | Enormous trust, thousands of referring domains, institutional authority. Think government websites, wikipedia.org. |
5 myths about Domain Authority
- "DA is a Google ranking factor." Not true. DA is a metric from Moz, not a Google signal. Google uses its own internal systems to assess authority. DA is merely an approximation.
- "A high DA guarantees high rankings." Not true. DA predicts the likelihood of good rankings, but individual pages can deviate. Content, search intent — bibliotheekterm, and on-page factors also play major roles.
- "You can increase DA quickly." Not true. DA is logarithmic: going from 20 to 30 is relatively easy, but from 60 to 70 is exponentially harder. It takes months to years of consistent effort.
- "Only backlinks determine DA." Not entirely true. While backlinks are the primary factor, Moz's DA 2.0 also weighs other factors through machine learning. Ahrefs' DR does look exclusively at links.
- "DA scores from different tools are comparable." Not true. A DA of 40 (Moz) is not the same as a DR of 40 (Ahrefs) or AS of 40 (Semrush). Each tool uses a different dataset and calculation. Only compare scores within the same tool.
Frequently asked questions
How do I increase my Domain Authority?
Increasing DA requires a long-term approach. Build quality backlinks from relevant, authoritative websites. Create valuable content that naturally attracts links. Remove or disavow spam links. Improve the technical health of your site. Be consistent: DA rises gradually, not overnight.
Is a higher DA always better?
Generally, a higher DA correlates with better rankings, but it's not absolute. A page on a DA 30 site can outrank a page on a DA 60 site if the content better matches search intent, the on-page SEO is stronger, or the topic is more niche. Focus on strengthening your overall SEO strategy, not just the DA number.
Can my DA decrease?
Yes. DA can decrease if you lose valuable backlinks, if Moz updates their index — bibliotheekterm or algorithm, or if competing domains grow faster. A decrease is not always negative for your actual rankings. It's a relative scale: if the average rises, individual scores can drop without the actual authority changing.
What DA should I aim for with my website?
There is no universal "good" DA number. Compare your DA with direct competitors in your niche, not with large media sites. If your competitors have a DA of 25-35, it's realistic to aim for that same range. Remember that DA is a relative metric: it's about your position relative to your competition, not an absolute number.
Does Domain Authority matter for AI search engines?
DA itself doesn't (it's a Moz metric, after all), but the underlying authority that DA tries to measure does. AI models select sources based on trustworthiness, expertise, and how often a source is cited by other authoritative sources. These are the same principles that drive a high DA. A website that scores well on DA will typically also be cited more often in AI answers.
