Domain Authority(DA)
A third-party score (0-100) predicting how well a website will rank in search results.
Domain Authority is a metric developed by Moz to predict a domain's overall ability to rank in search. Similar scores exist from Ahrefs (Domain Rating), Semrush (Authority Score), and others. These metrics are not used by Google — they're third-party estimates based on backlink profiles.
DA is useful as a comparative benchmark (how does my domain stack up against competitors?) but isn't a direct ranking factor. Don't chase DA for its own sake; focus on the underlying activities (great content, earned backlinks, technical health) that improve real rankings.
Your domain has DA 35; your top competitor has DA 65. Closing that gap requires sustained link-earning work and significantly better content authority over 12-24 months.
Frequently asked questions
Does Google use Domain Authority?
No. Google uses its own (proprietary) signals and explicitly says it doesn't use Moz's DA metric. DA is a useful comparative tool, not a direct ranking factor.
Related terms
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