Domain Authority glossary definition

Domain Authority (DA) measures how strongly a website can compete in search engine results. Moz developed the metric, and it assigns a score from 1 to 100. Higher scores usually track with stronger ranking potential, especially when a site earns links from other reputable websites.

You will see DA used in SEO reports, but you should understand what the score actually reflects. Moz calculates DA by looking at multiple ranking signals, then it weights them through its own model. The system pays attention to link quantity and link quality, plus how those links connect across the web. A page with many relevant mentions from trusted domains tends to score higher over time.

DA can help you compare sites inside a niche. If two domains target similar keywords, DA gives you a quick reference point for competitiveness. You can track movement across months, watch new backlinks, and spot when a site stops growing. Still, DA does not guarantee rankings. One strong page can outrank a higher-DA competitor because the query matches the content better.

When you audit a site, treat DA like a directional tool. Focus on the sources behind the score. Check which domains link to you, how consistently those links appear, and whether the links come from related topics. If you build links only for the sake of raising numbers, you often end up with weak relevance.

Use DA alongside other metrics such as organic traffic, keyword coverage, and conversions. That mix gives you a clearer picture. DA tells you how a domain performs in Moz’s model, and the rest of your analytics tells you how the site performs for real users.

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