Domain Authority
Quick Definition
Domain Authority (DA) is a score developed by Moz that predicts how likely a website is to rank in search results. It ranges from 1 to 100 and is based on factors like backlink quantity, quality, and diversity.
Why It Matters
Domain Authority helps you quickly gauge how competitive a website is. When evaluating backlink opportunities, comparing competitors, or setting realistic ranking expectations, DA gives you a useful benchmark. Every SEO tool and agency uses some version of this metric.
Real-World Example
Wikipedia has a DA of 95+, while a brand new blog starts at DA 1. If you are trying to rank for "best credit cards," you are competing against sites with DA 80+. But for "best credit cards for students in Jaipur," the competition might be DA 20-40, which is more achievable.
Signal Connection
Trust -- Domain Authority is essentially a proxy for how much search engines trust your website. It is built through quality backlinks, which are themselves trust signals from other websites endorsing your content.
Pro Tip
Install the free MozBar browser extension to see DA scores directly in search results. This helps you quickly assess competition for any keyword by seeing the DA of pages that currently rank.
Common Mistake
Beginners treat DA as a Google metric. It is not. DA is a third-party metric created by Moz. Google does not use DA in its algorithm. It is a useful estimate, but do not obsess over exact numbers or try to "increase DA" as a goal. Focus on earning quality backlinks instead.
Test Your Knowledge
Domain Authority (DA) is a metric created by which company?
Show Answer
Answer: B. Moz
Domain Authority is a proprietary metric developed by Moz. While other tools have similar metrics (Ahrefs has Domain Rating, Semrush has Authority Score), DA specifically refers to the Moz metric.