What is Domain Authority?

Domain Authority (DA) is a metric created by Moz that predicts how well a website will rank in search results. It's scored from 1 to 100, with higher scores indicating stronger ranking potential.

DA is calculated based on your backlink profile, the number of referring domains, and other factors. It's not a Google metric, but it's widely used as a proxy for a site's overall SEO strength.

Why domain authority matters (and Doesn't)

Domain Authority can help you assess competitive landscapes and evaluate potential link partners. A site with DA 60 is generally more authoritative than a site with DA 20.

But here's the thing: Google doesn't use Domain Authority. It's a third-party metric. You can't "optimize for DA" directly. It's an outcome of good SEO, not a goal in itself.

How It's Different from Page Authority

Page Authority measures the ranking strength of individual pages, while Domain Authority measures your entire site. A high-DA site can still have low-PA pages if those specific pages lack links or quality content.

New blogs start with very low DA, often under 10. That's normal. As you create content and earn backlinks, your DA will gradually increase. Don't expect rapid jumps - it's a slow process.

How to Improve It

Build high-quality backlinks from reputable sites. Focus on earning links from domains that are relevant to your niche.

Create linkable content that people naturally want to reference. Comprehensive guides, original research, and unique perspectives attract more links than generic posts.

Don't buy links or participate in link schemes to inflate your DA. These tactics can get you penalized and actually hurt your rankings, even if your DA score looks good.