Domain Authority (DA) is a search engine ranking score developed by Moz that predicts how likely a website is to rank in search engine results pages on a scale from 1 to 100.
Overview
Domain Authority serves as a comparative metric that helps SEO professionals evaluate website strength and competitive positioning in search results. Moz calculates Domain Authority using machine learning algorithms that analyze linking root domains, total number of links, and other ranking factors. Domain Authority functions as a third-party metric rather than an official Google ranking factor, though Domain Authority often correlates with actual search performance and organic visibility.
Examples
• An SEO agency uses Domain Authority scores to benchmark client websites against competitors and identify link building opportunities to improve overall site authority
• A digital marketing team tracks Domain Authority changes over time to measure the effectiveness of content marketing campaigns and backlink acquisition strategies
• A web design company explains Domain Authority to clients as a way to understand why established websites often outrank newer sites in competitive search results
Related Terms
• Page Authority – Moz’s metric that measures the ranking strength of individual web pages
• Backlink Profile – The collection of external links pointing to a website that influences Domain Authority calculations
• Link Building – The practice of acquiring high-quality backlinks to improve Domain Authority and search rankings
• SEO Metrics – Measurable data points that include Domain Authority for evaluating search optimization performance