Domain Authority, frequently abbreviated as DA, is a ranking score for search engines developed by Moz. With scores that range between 0-100, Domain Authority is used to predict how likely a website is to rank in search engine result pages (SERPs). The higher the score, the greater the likelihood for the website to rank higher in SERPs.
Domain Authority centers around data from Moz’s Link Explorer web index, using dozens of factors to calculate ranking. The actual Domain Authority calculations themselves make use of machine learning models to predict the “best-fitting” algorithm that will most likely correlate Moz’s link data with actual search results. This forms the scale that Domain Authority uses to grade against. It is critical to understand that Domain Authority is NOT a Google ranking factor, and it has zero effect on search engine result pages.
The Difference Between Domain Authority and Page Authority
Domain Authority is used to measure and predict ranking strengths of whole domains and subdomains while Page Authority measures the strength of individual webpages.
How is Domain Authority Calculated?
Domain Authority is calculated using several factors, including linking total number of links and root domains into a single DA score. This score is then utilized for tracking the ranking strength of the website over time with comparative data. Since 2019, Domain Authority 2.0 has been the gold standard for calculating a domain’s DA score via machine learning. Algorithmic predictions give accurate snapshots of how often Google uses a specific domain in its search results. For example, if Domain A appears higher in Google’s search results compared to Domain B, then we can expect that Domain A’s Domain Authority will be stronger than Domain B’s.
Since DA is based on machine learning calculations, your website’s score will rise and lower as more and more data points become available and are integrated into said calculations. For example, if twitter.com acquired a few billion new links, every other website’s DA would drop in comparison with Twitter’s. Since more authoritative and established domains such as Twitter will have increasingly bigger link profiles, they will take up more of the top-DA slots, leaving less room at the top end of the scale for other domains that have a less-robust link profile. It is therefore easier to grow your DA score from 15 to 30 than it is from 65 to 80. This is why it’s critical that Domain Authority is seen as a comparative metric and not an absolute one.
How Can I Check My Website’s Domain Authority?
Eversite tracks your website’s Domain Authority regularly in order to gauge improvement in search engine rankings, but you can also find your DA yourself by using the MozBar (Moz’s free-to-use SEO toolbar), in the SERP Analysis section of Keyword Explorer, or Moz’s Link Explorer. Eversite uses several different metrics when determining the best course of action for improving a website’s Domain Authority, which is why it’s important to work with a reputable SEO company like us to make sure you’re seen on the first page of Google.
What is a Good Domain Authority Score?
Speaking generally, sites with large numbers of high-quality external links (such as google.com or wikipedia.com) will be at the top end of the Domain Authority Scale, while websites with fewer inbound links such as small businesses will be found at the lower end. A website that is totally new will always have a DA score of 1, which will increase as the website builds authoritative backlinks over time.
Since Domain Authority is a way of predicting a website’s ability to rank within its competitive sphere, one shouldn’t choose a DA target in a vacuum. Eversite tracks DA scores for websites that you compete with directly for rankings and seeks to place you well above the competition. Again, as DA is used as a comparative tool, investigating websites with stronger DAs will show where your true competitors for clicks and conversions are in relation to you. Therefore, there is no absolute good/bad number that demands being fixated on.
How to Increase Domain Authority
Eversite improves your website’s Domain Authority by improving its overall SEO health. By focusing on both the quality and quality of external links pointing to your site, your DA score will ascend accordingly. Since DA aggregates countless pieces of data, it can seem impossible for the average person to accurately predict influencing it, let alone the best practices for doing so. Eversite makes websites more competitive in Google’s search results and improves visibility by implementing quality SEO, skilled data tracking, and professional website building.
The Importance of Improving Domain Authority
Domain Authority is reflective of how you’re performing in the race for the best positions in search engine results. Hiring a professional SEO company to improve Domain Authority for you will allow you to focus on running your business while a team of expert SEO and web developers improves your Internet presence.
Not sure if your business can compete with the big boys in search engine rankings? Eversite has helped companies outrank even amazon.com; we’re confident that we can help you outshine your competition in every way. If you’re ready to start appearing on the front page of a Google search, then you found the right team to get you there. Call or email us today to learn more about our Domain Authority improvement services and to schedule a free consultation!