SEO Glossary

Domain Authority

Moz's scoring system predicting how well a website will rank in search engine results, scaled from 1 to 100.

Updated July 9, 2025
SEO

Definition

Domain Authority (DA) is a search engine ranking score developed by Moz that predicts how well a website will rank on search engine result pages (SERPs). Scored on a scale from 1 to 100, with higher scores indicating greater ability to rank, Domain Authority is calculated using multiple factors including linking root domains, number of total links, MozRank, MozTrust, and other proprietary metrics. While not an official Google ranking factor, Domain Authority correlates strongly with search performance and is widely used by SEO professionals as a comparative metric for website authority. In the context of AI-powered search and GEO, domain authority becomes even more significant because AI systems often consider source credibility when deciding which content to cite, reference, or use in generated responses. Websites with higher domain authority are more likely to be viewed as trustworthy sources by AI models, increasing their chances of being cited in AI-generated content. Building domain authority requires comprehensive SEO strategies including high-quality content creation, earning authoritative backlinks, technical SEO optimization, user experience improvements, and consistent publishing of valuable, expert-level content. Domain Authority should be considered alongside other authority metrics like Ahrefs' Domain Rating, topical authority within specific niches, and E-A-T signals to get a complete picture of a website's overall authority and credibility in both traditional search and AI-powered systems.

Examples of Domain Authority

  • 1

    A major news website like CNN or BBC having a Domain Authority of 90+ due to thousands of high-quality backlinks and established credibility

  • 2

    A new startup blog beginning with a DA of 1 and gradually building authority through consistent content creation and link building

  • 3

    An industry publication growing its Domain Authority from 30 to 60 over two years through expert content and strategic partnerships

  • 4

    A local business improving its DA from 15 to 35 by earning local citations, partnerships, and industry-relevant backlinks

Frequently Asked Questions about Domain Authority

Terms related to Domain Authority

Backlinks

SEO

Backlinks, also known as inbound links or external links, are hyperlinks from one website to another that serve as votes of confidence and authority in search engine algorithms. Quality backlinks remain one of the most important ranking factors in traditional SEO, indicating to search engines that other websites consider your content valuable, trustworthy, and worth referencing. The value of a backlink depends on factors including the linking site's authority and relevance, the context surrounding the link, the anchor text used, the link's placement on the page, and whether it's a followed or no-followed link. In the era of AI-powered search and GEO, backlinks take on additional significance because they help establish the credibility and authority signals that AI systems consider when deciding which sources to cite or reference. High-quality backlinks from authoritative sources in your industry can significantly improve your chances of being cited by AI models like ChatGPT, Claude, and Perplexity. Building effective backlinks requires creating valuable, linkable content such as original research, comprehensive guides, industry reports, or useful tools; developing relationships with other industry websites and influencers; guest posting on relevant, authoritative sites; and earning mentions through thought leadership and expertise demonstration. Modern backlink strategies must focus on quality over quantity, relevance over volume, and natural link building patterns that demonstrate genuine authority and value.

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