Domain Authority (DA)

Why It Matters

Domain Authority provides a competitive benchmark for comparing sites and tracking SEO progress over time. While not a Google ranking factor itself, DA correlates strongly with rankings because it's based on factors Google uses: backlink profile, linking root domains, and overall link quality.

How It Works

DA is calculated using dozens of factors, primarily the quantity and quality of backlinks. The score uses a logarithmic scale, making it easier to grow from 20 to 30 than from 70 to 80. Sites with higher DA tend to rank better because they have stronger backlink profiles and more authoritative signals that Google values.

Use Cases

• An SEO team tracks DA monthly to measure the impact of link building campaigns over time
• A business evaluates potential guest posting opportunities by checking the DA of target sites (targeting DA 40+ sites)
• A content marketer uses DA to prioritize outreach efforts, focusing on high-DA sites for backlink acquisition

Best Practices

• Focus on building quality backlinks from diverse, authoritative sources to improve DA
• Track DA over time to measure SEO progress, but don't obsess over the exact number
• Compare DA against competitors in your niche, not against sites in different industries
• Remember DA is a Moz metric - focus on real ranking improvements and organic traffic
• Build topical authority and earn links naturally through great content
• Fix technical SEO issues and remove toxic backlinks to prevent DA decline