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SEO glossary

Domain Authority

Domain Authority (DA) is a third-party score that predicts how well a domain is likely to rank, on a 0–100 scale.

In plain English

Moz's DA (and similar metrics like Ahrefs' Domain Rating) are not Google signals — they're estimates built largely from backlink profiles. They're useful for comparison and trend-tracking, not as ranking targets in themselves.

Why it matters for SEO

DA is a quick proxy for link strength when prospecting links or sizing up competitors, but chasing the number directly is a trap.

Check this on your own site with the free Domain Authority Checker.

Related terms

Frequently asked questions

What is Domain Authority?
Domain Authority (DA) is a third-party score that predicts how well a domain is likely to rank, on a 0–100 scale.
Why does Domain Authority matter for SEO?
DA is a quick proxy for link strength when prospecting links or sizing up competitors, but chasing the number directly is a trap.
How does Domain Authority work?
Moz's DA (and similar metrics like Ahrefs' Domain Rating) are not Google signals — they're estimates built largely from backlink profiles. They're useful for comparison and trend-tracking, not as ranking targets in themselves.

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